Monday, June 04, 2007

Thoughts on Taking a Stand by Rubel Shelly

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21, NASB).

I read an interesting article by Rubel Shelly at http://www.rubelshelly.com/content.asp?CID=19613. Although I do not totally agree with his reluctance to engage in social activism, he offered some good ideas about how to combat evil in different ways. (In the spirit of William Wilberforce, I do not mind asking the leaders in government, business, or the media to act responsibly. I believe that social activism can be done in a noble and Christ-like manner.) Some of Rubel's ideas included:

"Taking a stand" on teen pregnancy is better done by offering kids something productive and holy to do than by railing against condom distribution and picketing Planned Parenthood.

"Taking a stand" on alcohol and drugs is better accomplished by parental example than parental threats.

"Taking a stand" on homosexuality looks more Christ-like when gays are treated with dignity rather than made the butt of mean jokes.

"Taking a stand" on TV sex and violence is better done by playing outside with your children than by sending $100 to a clean-up-TV campaign.

"Taking a stand" on spouse abuse is better done by funding shelter and legal help for victims than by frothing at the mouth.

The entire article may be read at the link mentioned earlier in this post.

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