How should Christianity respond to the person who defames it?
score:11
There are many different Christian perspectives and some may disagree, but it's arguable that at least a majority of Christians would agree that:
A Christian should respond as Jesus would and according to what He taught:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:38-48 NIV
So, we should not retaliate, or even resist them; but pray and show love according to the will of our Father in heaven.
This is further explained by Paul, one of the early followers of Jesus:
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:17-21 NIV
So we should treat them well and leave it for God to deal with them. The government is a quite different matter - it has the authority (given by God ultimately, and the will of it's people secondarily) to make laws that are just and fair for the benefit of it's citizens. If the government decides it is in the interest of public order to enact a law that prevents the sort of behaviour you mention, then that is a matter for the government. Christians have differing views on what should be the relation between the Church and the state, but most views seek to interpret what Jesus meant by:
Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” - John 18:36 NIV
And will argue for at least some form of separation between the two - just how much and what that practically means is worked out in different ways in different contexts and is the subject of ongoing debate.
Summary: Most Christians would argue that we should not retaliate against those who seek to insult, mock or defame either Christ, Christians or the Bible; in fact we should pray for them, love them and leave them in God's hands to judge with the hope that they will repent and find mercy from Him. What the governement does to them is not necessarily a Christian's (or the Churches) business except insomuch as their citizenship or office requires them to draw up, vote on, enact or enforce the laws of the land.
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Source: stackoverflow.com
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