Perhaps you have heard the word pluralism in the context of church or religion before, but do you realize the far reaching effects that it has had on our nation? Pluralism is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as, “a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain an autonomous participation in and development of their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization.”
Temple Of All Religions in Kazan, RussiaA couple of words in the definition are a bit troubling to me. Though it sounds warm and fuzzy for people of different faiths to come together in one culture and live happily ever after, the reality of it is that many religions of the world are by nature mutually exclusive. Some, as we have been made painfully aware in these last several years, obligate themselves to eliminate those who don’t see things their way.
One’s religion, by nature, defines his world view. Questions like: Where did I come from? Where am I going? What am I to do along the way? are answered in accordance with one’s world view. How you answer these questions will determine how your life will affect the “common civilization” mentioned in defining pluralism. The reality is that our nation or any other with a pluralistic world view, is divided against itself. Jesus warned that, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: (Matthew 12:25).”
The only hope for a pluralistic society is for its citizens to discover and agree upon what is truth. Reason requires that when men differ either one is right and the other wrong, or perhaps both are wrong, but both cannot be right. There is only one truth and everything else is a lie. From the beginning of time, wise men have determined to“let God be true, but every man a liar… (Romans 3:4)” History bears it out: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. (Psalm 33:12).” …and cursed are those who forget the Lord.