Monday, August 16, 2010

Adapt or Compromise?

My last post was July! how time files:(

Anyway, before i begin rambling, this post is merely to voice out what i think and to c what others have to say about it, and NOT to offend any quarters. not my intention. If i am too blunt in this post forgive me.

Its not my first time getting someone to tell me not to put my bible on the floor. And sometimes, being told off in a way too passionate by some quarters makes me think whether i am doing anything wrong.

People tell me that a big difference between Muslims and Christians is how we treat our holy book. On one hand, Muslims give highest form of respect to the Quran so much so that it is to b placed on a special "holder". On the other hand, we see many Christians leaving their bible on the floor. And for this same reason, Christians will not b able to bare a good testimony to our Muslim brothers and sisters. Therefore, some Christians make it a point to not put their bibles on the floor, and to share this idea to others also.In this way, we will b able to adapt to Muslim culture, understand how to respect the holy word and be a good testimony in their eyes.

For sake of argument, i dont recall anywhere in the bible that says putting the bible on the floor is a sin. If there is, pls do drop a comment. And, is putting the bible on the floor a disrespect to it?? How so? if i am standing on a chair, does the chair count as a floor? Many or majority of Christians put their bibles on the floor when they are sitting on the floor for example. The motive here. Is it out of disrespect intentions? if sitting on the bible. thats another thing. And how does putting a notebook on the floor, THEN the bible on top of it count as respect then??

With these thoughts running in my mind, the question arises. whether we are adapting to ways to fulfill the great commission, or are we compromising our believe? this may sound serious. but if we are to go on like this, till where do we stop adapting?? are we going to get all Christian girls to wear a tudung for the sake of a good testimony? eliminate dogs from Christian homes because its considered haram to the Muslims? or abstain from pork though God has made it clean to be consumed?

Why am i saying all these.. i am not against the idea of not putting bibles on the floor. in fact, i think its a good and practical practice to show some form of respect to the bible. What i want to highlight here is the emphasis we put into it. It is true that we are to be a good testimony for Christ in other words, portray a good image in the eyes of others. But we should also be aware that sometimes in the sole goal of being a "good image", we compromise our own principals, our own beliefs.