We’ve all seen the bumper stickers: The word “COEXIST” is spelled out using the Islamic crescent moon, a peace sign, the Hindu Om symbol, a star of David, the “i” dotted with a pentacle (pentagram), the ying-yang symbol, and a Christian cross.[1]
On the surface this sounds like a great idea, getting along with each other sounds like a really “Christian” thing to do, right? So let’s address this from two angles. In Matthew 22 we read the following exchange:
“One of them, an expert in the law [a Pharisee], tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” (Matthew 22:35-40)
Love your neighbor as yourself
There is no question the Bible instructs us to “get along with others,” even with those we may disagree with on a religious level. The story of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10 is a prime example. The Samaritans and the Jews simply did not get along. No Jew would ever consider inconveniencing himself by helping a Samaritan, regardless of how much trouble he might have been in. Witness the priest and Levite in the parable as prime examples. The fact that the Samaritan helped the Jew!? Astonishing to Jesus’ audience. But that was Jesus’ point—it doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t matter if you disagree with them on a religious level, if you see someone in need, help them.
Other verses along this line include:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
The script flips when we go back to the first commandment. If you carefully examine the holy writings of the various religions depicted on the Coexist bumper sticker, you will very quickly discover that all those groups do not worship the same god. Nor do they teach the same things. In his article, “Christians Should Never Compromise Just to Coexist,” Neil Edlin points out some of those differences. He says,
“When it comes to the fundamental beliefs and doctrines of each religion of the world, there is a great variety and great disagreement; there are even contradictory beliefs between religions. For example, Christianity teaches that Jesus was crucified; Islam teaches He was not crucified. Christianity, Judaism, and Islam teach that there is only one god. Buddhism teaches polytheism, meaning that there are many gods, and Hinduism has three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
“Each religion of the world draws its teaching from a different source. The Christian uses the Bible. Judaism uses only the Old Testament of the same Bible but rejects the New Testament. Islam uses the Qur’an. Hindus have the Vedas and the Upanishads, in addition to other sources.
“The founder of each religion taught something different from the founders of the other religions. The view of the afterlife differs from religion to religion, so we cannot establish that all religions are the same. Some do have things in common, but each also has its own unique elements, and each contains doctrines or beliefs that contradict the doctrines and beliefs of others.”[2]
But we also have God Himself declaring that He will not coexist with any other gods. Because, in fact, He declares, there are no other gods:
In summary, there is no question that we are to “coexist” as peacefully as possible with our neighbors. However, when it comes to the God we worship, God tells us there is only one, and that one demands all the love in your heart, soul, and mind.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God,
be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
—1 Timothy 1:17