The Coexist Bumper Sticker
Written by Lance Steinhibel
I’m sure all of us have seen countless religious stickers too, which is not a bad thing. I never really think too much about them, but I started to see one bumper sticker more than others it seemed lately. I started seeing the “COEXIST” one everywhere. It’s normally blue, and has a bunch of religious symbols that resemble the letters that spell out “coexist”. Well I started thinking about it, and at first I was like, “that’s not possible: I believe that Jesus is the way to heaven.” So what is this guy with the bumper sticker thinking? Maybe he is just playing the odds and putting bets on everything hoping to catch a piece of something. But the more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me. So over the next couple weeks, I began paying attention to Christians who would react to this sticker, complaining about how wrong it was.
I heard people saying, “How dare they even think to put the cross next to any other symbol!” and “Guys, we should be calling our pastors about this.” Instead of agreeing with them, I began to ask a few why they were so mad. Every response was some variation of, “other religions are wrong, so why should we have to coexist with them?” They were missing the point of it all, and it drove me crazy. They missed everything about loving one another as yourself, kindness, and understanding. I’m not saying every religion is right, but what I am saying is that if you ever want the opportunity to share with someone the love of Jesus, you must be first be open to hear what they believe in and what matters to them. Look at the life of Paul in the New Testament; he knew exactly what all the other religions were doing in that time, and what they believed. It’s not about who is right, and who is wrong. It’s about showing people love and respect for what they believe in and what they are passionate about. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, just respect them.
I decided to look up the meaning of “COEXIST” and what it means for owners of the ever-popular decal… and I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. One explanation stated “COEXIST is a way to demonstrate your support of religious freedom, tolerance and understanding.” Now I don’t think that’s very evil, it actually sounds like something I would love to have for what I believe. Another was “to encourage others in a greater religious understanding of other’s distinctive faiths, beliefs and practices. To promote friendship, goodwill and mutual trust among them.” Again, I am not seeing anything too scary evil or making me want to call my pastor and get him on the lookout for these crazy people.
If Christians believe in love, then we have to love everyone, even those who believe in different gods. Because honestly, why would anyone want to hear about our God and beliefs, if we don’t even care enough to care about theirs?
lance is the Writer
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I generally agree with this article. I’m not one to jump to the same conclusions as the “Christians” mentioned in the article. I don’t see the point in calling my pastor. What is he gong to do about it? I don’t care if the cross is put next to other symbols. I believe the Bible when it says that Jesus is the only way to the Father (and heaven).
What I always thought whenever I see this sticker is that the person wanted all religions to get along and that they thought that there were many ways to heaven. You already know what I think about how to get to heaven. As for the other I find it interesting that someone would think that these different religions could get along. You have Islam, Judaism, Wiccan/Pagan, Yin&Yang, and Christianity…with a peace symbol and the symbol for male/female.
Looking at core characteristics of these religions….Islam wants to eliminate people who are not Islam…especially Jews and Christians. This goes back to the story of Abraham.
Judaism and Christianity are SOOO close, Judaism is still looking for the Messiah.
Wiccan/Pagan is pretty much anti Jesus/God and maybe Allah too but I don’t know for sure.
As Christians were are to love all and live lives that demonstrate the love that God has for all people. We haven’t done a good job of that.
Unfortunately Christians have the reputation of being “closed minded” and not wanting to be “in the world”.
I’m starting to go off on a random rabbit trail. So I will just say that as Christians we should be interacting with all people. We should be influencing those people with our lives. If all we do is run and tell the pastor what good is that going to do?
So…yeah, I agree with this article
Wow, it’s great to see Matt chime in…”see matt, it’s not that hard, you can write an article.”
Lance, I gotta say I totally pull the “what do they look like?” game. I find myself expecting that they will look goofy or out of touch…and that is totally due to some unexplained emotion caused by the sticker….
It’s just the same as when i see Mcdonalds run ads that make their food look healthy…I get a little annoyed. I want people to know that the actors in the mcdonalds commercials were paid to look happy, and they starve themselves and work out everyday in order to get chosen for the commercial….With the Coexist sticker, I’m not offended or insecure…it’s that I want that person to know how available the one true God is to them. But there in lies the problem….”I want…” In the end, you gotta roll “Lance style” when it comes to ministry. Cause people are much smarter than they may appear, and a bumper sticker will only distract you.
Ahh, Lance, the chance to actually engage in debate about things said via bumper sticker. Very smart. My view is that there are many bumper stickers like Coexist that really have the potential for leaving folks in a huffy puffy state. I do agree with your viewpoint about the need to get to know people before getting in their face about this one… Read More. Imagine if you are proud of our nation and you put one of our early flags on your car (Union Flag) What do people assume about you? About what the driver looks like, I assume the driver looks like Bono of course. And what I would rather see is the “give peas a chance” sticker but I guess that shows my age. Overall great article and it reminds me I have so much to learn about what people look like (on the inside).
Hey man I read your article and I agree with most of it, but I’m still fuzzy on just one point. I’m down with the missionary aspect and the respect, I do that. What I’m fuzzy on is what the goal is in your eyes. Yeah we respect people and get to know them, but is your goal in doing that in the end to give them Christ, or just to be friends regardless? If you ask the people who made the sticker, they say it doesn’t matter lets just run together regardless cuz it’s all true to each other (which is where I disagree). But if you know, as I do, that in the end we want to give them Christ respectfully, then I agree with you. But if it’s just “yeah it’s all well and good so lets just set it all aside,” then I disagree. What are YOUR thoughts?
I don’t always disagree with the people who stick it on their bumper cuz maybe to them it means something different, but I do disagree with the people who made it and what intend it to stand for. Their goal isn’t Christ, it’s equality. But maybe you stick it on your car for the sake of respect and that’s cool, it’s just not the original intention of the makers of the sticker.
Hey Lance,
One of the guys I am interning with this summer has a “Coexist” bumper sticker and it is funny watching people look at it in a church parking lot… They always do a double take.
Good article.
Even though the makers of the “Coexist” bumper sticker do not intend what your article is saying… that in order to bring people to Christ, you have to understand where they are coming from… I think it is a good way to do so. I’m not a fan of bumper stickers, in general… in my opinion they’re just tacky. But my friend who has the “Coexist” sticker is intentional about it and has a reason for having it on his car.
But yea, good thoughts.
Emily
Lance,
I totally agree with the motive of this article to conclude that all religions lead to heaven. People get so caught up in, “there is only one way to heaven and that’s Jesus,” so it’s nice to know there are true believers out there.
COEXIST!
I read your article too. It bothers me when you say that “They were missing the point of it all, and it drove me crazy. They missed everything about loving one another as yourself, kindness, and understanding.” What are we exactly missing the point of? Where in the Bible does anyone open his or her mind to another religion in order to witness to someone? You mention how it wasn’t about who’s right and who’s wrong to Paul. I can’t disagree more. Paul often spoke out against those who were opposed to the message of Jesus Christ. Read II Timothy 3:6-9, Philippians 3:2-3, Galations 1: 6-10 as evidence of this. Peacemonger.org is the group that supports the Coexist bumper sticker. I was looking through their website because I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. I found something that was very alarming and I urge you to be cautious about promoting the bumper sticker among Christians. This is from founder Jerry Jaspar: “With the anguished exit of the Bush administration, and a palpable spirituality in the air - such a deep thirst on the part of the masses for real change…” I take this as anti-Christian rhetoric that is not appropriate at all. President Bush, regardless of your political views towards him, is an evangelical Christian. The only thing I gathered from their website was that it is an organization with a liberal agenda seeking to achieve peace through tolerance and love. Yes we need tolerance and love; I am not saying we don’t. I am saying that when tolerance and love become the focus and the message of Jesus does not, there is a problem. As Christians, we cannot water down the gospel in order to win people to Christ. We also cannot be a part of organizations who are only about tolerance and love. There is a battle for truth, this Coexist movement seeks to establish relativism and undermine absolutes.
First I have to address Greg’s comment, I was not saying in the article that I believe that all religions lead to heaven. I was trying to make a point that the sticker does not imply that all religions lead to heaven. I do believe that what the bible says is truth, and the only way to heaven is through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. I am really glad that you read the article, I hope that it does not mean that you dont like what it had to say, now that I have said this.
Ok, on to the next comment from Jacob. First off, thank your for reading my email, and taking the time to read my article and comment on it. On to what I was saying about paul, and his knowledge on other religions. Its shows all throughout his books when he is writing to the different cities he talks about things that are going on with other religions, and urges the churches and believers to not take part in it. He had to have a working knowledge and understanding of other religions to make these claims. And I never said anything about watering down the bible. All I am trying to say is that most of the time we need to shut our mouths when talking to others about God, and listen to what they have to say. When we do that we will have a better understanding of the other person, and what their needs are.
you know the scientologists believe that all religions can coexist and still be scientologists. I believe chrisitans should not get so worked up over a bumper sticker. I remeber when a pastor told me that he say a bad religion bumpoer sticker with the no sign around the cross and he told me how bad they were and that i should never listen to them. As christians we need to spend more time spreading the love and words of christ and stop hating everythign we disagree with. So many people dont even want to look at the idea od christ because of the actions of christians and how they seem to oppose everything.
Hey Lance,
Good first article! I can tell from the responses so far that the concept of “Coexist”-ing could indeed be spread around a little more. People should keep in mind the literal definition of Coexist: “To live in peace with another or others despite differences, especially as a matter of policy.” It does seem reasonable to want Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and even hippies to live peacefully with each other.
And I agree with you that it’s good to know what people from other religions actually believe. I would dare every Christian to make friends with a Muslim. Just for the sake of being friends with them. You may be surprised how many of them want to get along with you and do not feel a need to wipe your religion, along with the Jews, off the face of the earth. You could also read up on the news in the Middle East and see that the vast majority of Muslims do not believe that the militant brand of Islam supported by conservative Muslim extremists reflects core Muslim values at all. But I realize that a lot of people consider reading too much work, and would be more likely to take my dare to make a Muslim friend.
I really don’t think that people should ever make friends with someone just because they want to convert them to Christianity. That doesn’t seem like a true friendship to me. And if you’re worried about the whole heaven and hell thing, just remember that the Bible doesn’t say that people save people. It says God does that. Anyway, I’m glad you got some discussion going Lance!
I know the owner of this. If you care to hear their thoughts let me know and I will see what I can arrange.
-Sean
Lance - you make a good point. I would have to agree, that many of us who are supposed to following Jesus often miss the point (myself included). Sure, I may not agree with everything that this bumper sticker (and the belief system behind it) was intended to communicate, but that’s not really the point, is it? The point is to be who Jesus calls us to be in the midst of these belief systems that we may or may not agree with — to be followers of Him. And, at least for me, when I start to get defensive and argue against beliefs I don’t agree with, I start to lose His heart for the people following those beliefs.
I think that this article shares a lot of insight. I think my first impression of a sticker like that would be that “all religions lead to heaven” or the ever growing, “there is no right religion, go what ever way you think is best. Just don’t push your beleifs on me.” As a Christian I don’t think I would endorse the sticker on my car. However, I do think you’re on to something. It’s about judging by the cover.
Excellent points, Lance! I must admit, at work I see a car in the parking garage every so often with this, and the first couple times I reacted poorly. But then I realized, I’m reacting poorly to a message of peacefulness, free-will choice, and tolerance of others. It’s more of a ‘Golden Rule’ statement, treat other as you wanted to be treated. I don’t want to be abused or hurt because of my choices and beliefs, nor should I want to belittle or hurt others as a result. I follow Jesus, and from what I can tell, the only religious entities Jesus went on the offensive with were the ‘right’ religion that birthed Him, and not all the others. And Paul on Mars Hill didn’t denegrate people for having faith and seeking God(s), but provided additional insight and truth via the Statue of the Nameless God.
Ultimately, the battle we fight is not with other people and their (God-mandated and graced) choices and decisions, but with an invisible enemy who seeks to sow war, dischord, conflict, and destroy all of us. Our job is to love people, respect them as we want them to respect us, do good like Jesus, and teach/inform others as best we can to allow people to make informed choices. At the end of the day, I’d rather have mutual respect and agree-to-disagree in a foundation of love, rather than bloodshed.
you made your point well regarding the sharing love and respect… i think it’s important for anyone we speak to, to know that we’re not there to hear ourselves talk but to listen to what others say and the meaning behind them. and i agree with nathan, i’d rather agree-to-disagree than smother my opponent with self-righteousness and holier-than-thou… and just share Jesus’s love… because that’s what it’s really about… which, i believe is the whole message of the bumper sticket anyway.
I never understood the bumper sticker, frankly I just ignored it hah.
And I am one of those cars who u tell a lot about by my bumper. What with my blue tape on ym back windshield that says “You are beautiful” to my NOTW sticker that says “Prayer changes things” and then my “Can’t Ignore the Poor” sticker and “TOMS” and “End genocide in Uganda NOW” and “the Rescue April 25th” and “I am PRO-LIFE” duct tape. It makes me happy when people turn their heads to look at me when they pass and maybe smile or thumbs up. Or to look in my rear view at stop lights to see people squinting their eyes to read my bumper.
Anyways. shameless self promotion of my lil red saturn.
I think you made a great point that as followers of Jesus we are called to LOVE EVERYONE no matter what their bumper sticker says and no matter what belief they have and we need to learn to coexist in this world peacefully with them.
Hey, I like your article. I think that you bring up some great points. Some Christians struggle with the sticker saying that it is endorsing other religions. I choose to look at it another way; if we are ever going to reach others, don’t we have to first come to them instead of expecting them to come to us. That is what Jesus did. If we want to reach others from different religions, we must first embrace them, and then be able to share the love of Jesus. That is what the sticker means to me. We can be voices of love and peace, or we can be like the crusaders and kill others who don’t believe what we do. Which one works out better? Okay, I’m being a bit extreme, but I think that we have all seen that love and tolerance go a lot farther than Bible beating.
Thanks for writing!
This is a great discussion. I really appreciate the balance of love and truth. I am a pastor looking at preaching from Mark 6:1-13 this week. On the one hand Jesus instructs his disciples not to be the offense - and so he tells them don’t hop from house to house in a town looking for a better offer and don’t take a bag - probably a collection bag. They are to go out preaching repentance and healing people. What a great mission. And if their message is rejected they are to move on. But what interests me in this passage is the front end of Mark 6 - Jesus doesn’t even seem to be able to coexist with his family and home community. They are scandalized by him. Earlier in Mark the Pharisees (religious right) and the Herodians (religious left) join forces to try and kill him. The Scribes accuse him of being in league with the devil. Jesus doesn’t seem to be able to peacefully coexist with anyone. Why? The reason seems to be that he keeps making rather outstanding claims about the need to have faith in him. He is more than a moral teacher telling us to love each other. He certainly communicates that and instructs his followers to bless others, and Jesus Himself loves people as no one else in history ever has. But he is emhatic regarding the issue of faith and the Kingdom being about him and this seems to be what made him so unpopular such that others did not want to coexist with him. What do we say to this? I’d love your reflections.
Grace in Christ
This all seems a bit silly. As another bumper sticker reads, “The Bible was written by the same people who said the earth was flat,” and they got many other facts wrong as well. So, clearly, “The Bible” can’t be “The Truth.” You need to get over yourselves.
The beautiful thing about this sticker is that it is completely open to interpretation. I’ve read so many different opinions on this design and not one of them is wrong! This is by far our best design; however, stop by the site and check out our symbolglyphic designs that come in more than just stickers! We have different variations on Coexist and our Tolerance design runs a close second to Coexist.
Dan (dan@peacemonger.org)
Peacemonger.org
(559) 741-1668
Did the Christians in the earlier church merely coexist peacefully with non-believers? The answer is no because how can two walk together unless they be agreed. I am respectful of others and whoever they choose to believe in but the issue is that there is only One that truly existed to pay the penalty for mankind’s sin. Therefore, I will not plaster a bumper sticker on my car with the Cross at the end of it all. He is Alpha an Omega. I stand firm on my faith and I caution other Christians to do the same. This world is trying to filter down the Gospel to make it easier for them to handle but unfortunately it is causing Christians to merely coexist and not take a stand. God said to be hot or cold for him.
Way to go!
some people have posted bad blogs about the sticker stating how much they can’t stand it!
all i say is to understand the sticker isn’t trying to get you to beleive in the other’s but to accept them and live amongs them in a peacefull non judgmental way!
Great post!
A.H. - you are DEAD ON RIGHT … I could not have expressed it any better or clearer.
To Really?
The Bible was written through inspiration of God. Further, the Bible consitently refers to the earth as a globe. Only in poetic passages are terms used that might be taken otherwise. For example, in Rev. 7:1 the verse refers to angels standing at the four corners of the earth. This is a reference to the cardinal directions of north, south, east and west. Job 26:7 refers to the earth being suspended in space. Job 26:10 refers to the circle of the earth as does Isaiah 40:21-22. Perhaps you should stop listening to uninformed critics and read God’s Word for yourself. You might learn something of eternal importance.
I don’t think the bumper sticker means that all faiths lead to heaven, just that we should all do our best to get along and treat each other well, no matter what religious path someone follows. It’s the same idea as getting along with others that are from different cultures, or have a different skin color.
People just take it to literally, that it means that all faiths are ok or right. It just advocates peace, equality, and tolerance of all faiths. Nothing wrong with that.
I am always amazed at the hypocrisy of Christians. Wow. You believe your way is the only way. How wonderful for you. Others think THEIR way is the only way. And now you belittle and get angry over a bumper sticker preaching tolerance and love. Hmmm, didn’t your boy Jesus preach that too?
Oh, right. You Christians don’t need to FOLLOW Jesus’ rule - only try to push it onto others.
Gotcha.
Interesting. Question, some of the people who replied to this article have mentioned the “hypocricy” of christians,and some had mentioned that christians are viewed as close minded, and they are pushing thier beliefs on people. Many points to that, is telling me its wrong to force my beliefs on other people forcing a belief on me? You see, many people tell me to stop pushing my christian beliefs on them, which in order to do so they must have a belief im doing something wrong, then push it on me by telling me to stop.ISNT TELLING ME TO BE OPEN MINDED AND TO COEXIST FORCING YOUR BELIEF TO COEXIST ON ME? Anyone who tells a christian they arent coexisting is doing exactly what they accused that christian of. That is hypocritical. Another thing is do not tell me that not agreeing with this article is being close minded because if you are to honestly call yourself open minded you would have to open your mind towards people who are close minded. Do you not see that when i call other faiths wrong and you call me close minded you are having a closed mind towrds my closed mindedness? That is pretty hypocritical you close minded hypcocrits.
Also there is a problem with putting the cross next to other symbols because the cross is the one that is more. my savior sacrificed himself dieing a horrible, terrible death for me on that cross. No other symbol can make that claim so it is offensive to put my symbol on the same level as other symbols. Lastly your reference to Paul was abit flawed, you mentioned that he loved people and showed respect, which is a true statement, but you are wrong in saying it had nothing to do with them being right wrong. The majority of Pauls evangelism was because people believed in something WRONG and lived WRONG and he wanted to show them who Christ was because everyone on the side of Christ knows the TRUTH. (John 18:37)
Ultimately, the coexist bumper sticker is not about being openminded because that cant be done for they would have to be open minded and accept peoples decision to not be open minded which clearly is not carried out. The bumper sticker is a way for people to believe what they want to believe, and force their beliefs on me to accept it. Tolerance does not equal violence, i can always love and respect someone without being tolerant of thier beliefs. which was noted, but to then tell me not to force my beleifs on people through a bumper sticker is forcing a belief on me, and i will not stand by for that secular hypocricy. Nor should anyone else who stands with Christ on the side of TRUTH.
I saw the COEXIST bumper sticker for the first time this past weekend. I, like Lance, wanted to see the driver. She turned out to be a middle aged woman like myself. What I really wanted from her was to know where she got the sticker and how I could get one for myself. I realized that if I hopped out of my vehicle at a red light to tap on her window I would probably scared her and tied up traffic both of which would be wrong. So instead I waited until I was home and googled it (today).
I read all of the posts ahead of me and love that one bumper sticker could generate so much discussion - the first step to coexisting.
When my daughter was young and wanted me to explain GOD to her I was given a book titled “What is God?”. It’s a wonderful children’s book that explains that there are many religions and many beliefs. Coexist sums it up for me.
I enjoyed the debate/discussion. I would like to point out that there are several versions of this sticker. Personally, I wouldn’t get it because of the Wicca symbol, but i found one that did not include it, which I ordered. Just read descriptions carefully.
We’ll I totally made my mother crawl out of her skin with my t-shirt. She told me it was anti-god and that it ment one thing and one thing only. Well I was with a bunch of family when I wore my shirt, and every one else in the room thought that it was a very cool statement. To me I do wear it to get a reaction out of the one way only “christians”, but to me it’s more of a statement to mankind…If we do not learn a way to get along then there will never be peace. One of my aunts asked if I knew any one from muslim countrys that wore a shirt like this and yes I do. Who ever you want to believe or follow we all have to learn to work together to make this world a better place!
I like this definition, “COEXIST is a way to demonstrate your support of religious freedom, tolerance and understanding”. For about a year now, I’ve been cultivating a quality friendship with the local Imam (Muslim leader) in my community. As I drove up to the mosque for the first time I was so nervous, I even passed by once or twice, thinking, “maybe I should’ve thought this out a little more”. All the media driven messages of islam that were in my head began to surface; the thoughts were so strong I amlost backed out. Thank God, that I sucked it up and walked through that door with a sign on it that said, men’s entrance, which was the first cultural difference that I would observe that day. Next, when I got into the building there were lots of shoes everywhere, so I took mine off. Then, I walked in to the men’s restroom and there was a sign that read, “please sit down to pee.” And yes, I sat down. After all this I walked in to the prayer room and sat down on the back wall. I stayed there for the entire prayer service and teaching. Afterwards I was approached by the Imam, who i had previously emailed to inquire about visiting. We stayed there for four hours talking about life and getting to know one another. He asked, “why did you want to come visit us?” So, I told him I had come because I didn’t believe the media portrayal of muslims and I wanted to learn more about their culture. Since then I have been invited to share meals and even break fast with them during Ramadan. I share this story, because I do believe it is very important for us to be tolerant and understand other religions and the people that practice them. In doing this I had to be very sensitive and be careful of my motives. Christians a lot of the time emphasize sharing Jesus with others, and I didn’t want that to be my motive. I didn’t want to go there to get ‘em all “saved”. I really just wanted to make some muslim friends. For me, as a follower of Christ, that is what it means to COEXIST!!
Oh what sheltered lives you all have lived! Speaking as one who has been jailed for the faith, ( in America) ( 15 times in Multnomah County, 9 times in Washington County, 7 times in Marion County)
all these counties are in Oregon. Having had the joy of experiencing pain compliance holds while trying to comply and glorious sensation of a night stick to the ribs, to being left in a cement cell for 12 hours in the dark realms of solitary confinement before being processed. To being ordered by several judges to discontinue my activities of preaching against things like hmmm, Sin.
Or how about being thrown out of and eating establishment that has a big banner across there wall proclaiming that they honor Diversity because they KNOW you are a Christian and are very uncomfortable with your mere presence and so they refuse to serve you and demand quite loudly that you leave.
The Apostle Paul and I have quite a bit in common. The reason you feel no fear, and like the concept of Co existing is that you enjoy the lukewarmness of your surroundings and you are in Hiding like the lionshare of what calls themselves Christians. Your ideals of being radical are some what lacking and the reason no one wants to hear about your god is because he isnt real.
To Jeff,
I would like to start off by thanking you for taking the time to read my article. Im not sure if you will read this, but I hope that you do. I guess that I am confused as to why you think that I dont serve God, is it because I believe that the best way to show my faith to someone is to show them love? Maybe I miss read the scripture that talks about loving one another as ourselves. Who knows? I have been doing ministry for a long time, and have never been thrown in jail, so maybe thats why your pissed at me. Im not sure, maybe I could give you some pointers on how not to get thrown jail. But Im sure you just think that still living a lukewarm life for not wanting to be jailed.
Good points Lance… I didn’t have time to read all of these comments, but I do think that you brought up some really solid stuff in your piece. I see too many people getting caught up in the rules and images of religion (namely, Christianity, because it’s all I’m exposed to) and I sense a lack of true spirituality and the non-judgmental love that Christians should be known for. “They’ll know we are Christians by our love” is an inspiring passage to me, but I see a lot of people who don’t seem to be living by it. I think it’s a beautiful thing to be open and accepting of other beliefs, to be tolerant and peaceful with those different than ourselves… to me, it could be the solution to so much violence and oppression we see around us. Also, I’ve done a bit of research on these religions… and they really all have the same principles at the heart of it. Whether or not there is a god, a prophet, a certain form of prayer or holy book, all of these religions focus on internal enlightenment and doing good for others and the world around us. This, to me, is the most beautiful and important calling that humans experience. Jesus’ golden rule of treating others as you’d like to be treated is a cardinal virtue for living a pure and productive life, so why would we want to be intolerant of others who are striving to do the same thing?
This original version of the COEXIST design is a hope. It is an intention, meditation, and a prayer. I had no idea when I designed the above SymbolGlyhic(TM) design it would create such a stir! In my creative mind, it was not ever to have been associated as much with religions, as with humanity as a whole. The “e” for instance, was designed to represent PEACE within the sexes, as in “don’t hit your wife, husband, or kids!” (Many have taken the “e” to represent gays’ rights, which is fine with me. If it moves you in a certain direction you may make it your own!) Religions over the ages have come into being as a means to express adoration of the divine aspects of nature, humanity being a significant part of it. Many deities are the creations of the primitive mind to explain why the sun goes down at night. So many philosophies and religions over a vast landscape of humanity inevitably will evolve drastically differing viewpoints and beliefs. It is true that so many followers of wise human prophets get so caught up in their particular system of belief that they lose the bigger picture. They lose even their particular prophets’ teachings and fight violently to force their beliefs on the ‘non-believer.’ It seems I have become a part of somewhat of a vortex in creating this design in that it is bringing much of this partisanship to the surface. I give thanks that it also is evidently accomplishing it’s original purpose of bringing many diverse notions of faith together. I leave this comment/article unfinished for now, due to time and space needs of my own… and hope to polish it up later. I’m open to comment directly at my work number at Peacemonger.org (www.peacemonger.org - (559) 799 8801)
As for Christianity as a whole, which seems to be the main complaint source of the notion of COEXISTENCE and RESPECT between specific human faiths, I’ll just throw it out there that it would be respectful to call your prophet by his correct and factual name, which was Yashua, not Jesus. (If the second coming were today, and people called “Jesus” to save them, he would not recognize it as his name, since it was not his name.) No disrespect intended. Just the fact.
To Lance: YOU GET IT. THANK YOU!!
Someone mentioned in an earlier post that “wiccans/pagans don’t believe in God..” I consider myself neo-pagan and I absolutely do believe in God. I do not believe in the devil, as Christians do. Just wanted to clarify that because I think it’s a common misconception.
Ephesians 5:8 (New International Version)
8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
Romans 12:2 (The Message)
Romans 12
Place Your Life Before God
1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
We all are made of this Earth. We all see the sun rise and set, watch the phases of the moon, drink the same water that has been recycled over and over again, we all have to eat, sleep, breathe,poop, and have the ability to reproduce. We were all born of the same source, we are People of the Earth…that is our tribe. We must co-exist. The only way to heal the Earth is to first heal ourselves. Respect for ourselves and others is essential for this to happen. We should honor all tribes and religions for they are truly what makes up our Mother Earth.
To Nancy (#39). Sorry girl. Satan, the devil and demons are real. Don’t be fooled. Look around you to see the devil’s doing. I have experienced his work in my life. Thank God that there is power in the blood of Jesus. If you believe in God (good), how can you not believe in the Devil (evil). These are tricks of the enemy.
So I’m a little late to the party (discussion), but I figured I’d put my two sense in as well…
I’m a student and frequently I’ve seen this “coexist” bumper sticker on cars around campus as I walk through the parking lot. At first my initial thoughts were, “the sticker is just a front for some ultra left movement or some hippie movement or free-love stuff.” However, during my long walks through campus I’ve thought a lot about the meaning of it. I’m a Christ Follower. I put it that way, because I believe that the world associates “christians” as close minded, judgmental and hypocritical people (to some extent we are). When I see the “coexist” sticker this is what I think:
“I know what I believe in and I know that the true path to salvation is jesus christ. I realize that others have other view points that run parallel or completely opposite to my own. However, I will treat them with respect because they are human beings. If they do have a different religion than I do then it is my job as a follower of christ to reach out a helping hand to them and accept them for who they are, regardless if I agree with their religious views or not. I may or may not share my religion with them and I welcome a discussion about their religious beliefs, and if by chance they listen to me and accept some of the things they hear then thats great. I’ve won someone over to christ by showing the kindness he would have shown them himself”
I’m not necessarily advocating a utopian world where we sit around a camp fire and sing “kum bya” or anything. But rather accepting people for their religious differences and maybe we can learn from each other. Its not like we’ve been on this earth for thousands of years or anything.
I’m not really sure how to end this comment, but I’m open for discussion with anyone. I take the stance that all people are human beings and needed to be treated like they are first and foremost.
The only absolute truth is that none of us can know what exists on the other side. I am humble to my creator God, whomever she or he may be. I can not know more than God. I can not judge others to be right or wrong, true or false. All I can do is be still and find the peace within. Peace to you my brothers and sisters. Peace.
First of all, I believe we should love and respect all of God’s “creation”, and, as much as it depends on us, live in peace. But, we can’t possibly all be right. You can’t be hot and cold at the same time. You can’t be in the light, yet in the dark at the same time. We can’t walk in the same direction, yet you enter into a room while I exit it, at the same time. So to all who “choose” not to believe the Bible as God’s prophetic word:
if YOU are right, when we die without Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior - we’ll just end up in a cold, damp grave!
…but, if I’m right???
it’s your choice………………..but please, don’t be wrong!
ok, i study world religion and i have read all these comments finding some of them a bit much but that is my personal opionion. to me coexist is ment as just that. wanting u to try to coexist with everyone no matter faith or sex, in other words why dont we all just get along? trying to get along despite religious differences is the first step to a peaceful world. it is not about trying to tell them to be something they are not, it is just getting along.
As Christians, we were created for God’s glory and to love Him; and it’s our job as christians to go forth with the great commission and love others; with that I agree. Love is of God. You cannot know true love unless you know the ONE AND ONLY GOD: Jesus Christ/ the God of the Bible. So how can we say we love others as Christians when we have the antidote for life and for death and are willing to sit back and do nothing about it? How can we say we respect and love others while we sit back and watch people condemn themselves to hell because of their own doing and not try to warn them?
An athiest himself put it this way:
“If you believe one bit that thousands every day were falling into an eternal and unreacheable fate, you should be running the streets mad with rage at their blindness. That’s equivalent to standing on a street corner and watching every person that passes you walk blindly directly into the path of a bus and die, yet you stand idly by and do nothing. You’re just twiddling your thumbs, happy in the knowledge that one day that ‘walk’ signal will shine your way across the road. You’re just going to allow that to happen and not care about saving anyone but yourself? If you’re right then you’re uncaring, unemotional and purely selfish (expletive) that has no right to talk about subjects such as ‘love and caring.’”
Couldn’t have put it better myself….
Also, if there was more than one way to heaven then why on earth would Jesus (God Himself) have died on that cross for us?! Christianity is the only faith that asks you to give up SELF! Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow Him daily! That means NOT living a selfish life: crazy concept! Christianity is NOT a religion (look up the definition of christianity and religion and find out for yourself). In religion it’s about how YOU can do it yourself and how YOU can reach heaven. Every other “religious belief” calls for you to have to work in order to obtain eternal salvation; Christianity asks for NOTHING but trust in Jesus. Religion is man trying to get to God or achieve “godhood,” Christianity is God coming down to man! Last time I checked no other “religious leader” did that for the people. Muhammad died, Buddha died, Jesus died, but only Jesus came back to life! The beauty of free will is that with this knowledge one still has the right to choose for himself. That’s just how much Jesus loved you, even though He knew people would deny Him (possibly you) He died anyway. I don’t think I could sacrifice my life for someone who hates me. Not to mention the Bible has NEVER been proven wrong! Thousands of thousands of people have tried; each one of them has failed miserably. Jesus DIED so that EVERYONE can go to be with Him for eternity. It’s not that hard of a concept people. You don’t have to do ANYTHING but believe, repent, and trust in Jesus! No strings attached that don’t benefit you; you have nothing to lose but everything to gain! Will life be perfect? Of course not! In fact it’ll be harder but you have an eternity of perfection to look forward to! “Jesus doesn’t get us around our troubles; He gets us through them.”
You cannot tell me you sincerely believe that you’re going to get to heaven and tell the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, God, that “hey, you tried your hardest!” You can NEVER obey every single command; it’s impossible. You sin without even realizing it; just read Benjamin Franklin’s account on attempting that. How sad that some people believe they can actually do it themselves. Please attempt to be perfect; let me know how that one goes….
p.s. I think it’s ironic how everyone who is not a christian is so quick to say that “christians are close-minded and judgemental” when in reality it is the non-christians who are being close minded and judgemental. To some extent I do agree that Christianity in this age has unfortunately been watered down by lukewarms and mixed worldviews of this age, but in that same breath we are called to be hard headed but open minded. Meaning, be willing to listen to others beliefs in a respectful way but be hard headed in that you in fact do know ABSOLUTE TRUTH. Try to share that with others. People who aren’t christians aren’t going to read the Bible, they’re going to read you.
Forerunner for Christ <3
Coexist- Exist together or at the same time.
God spoke to me today and he said………..Peace is the only way to me… Not your religion. How could someone thousands of miles away who lived years before Jesus, know Jesus??? Did that mean he did not go to heaven?? The sticker is just to show support that you believe in Peace and that you get along with all people not just your “Christian friends” Christians are such Hippocrats.
I believe we need to clearify terms when one claims that peace is the only way to God. What do you mean by peace? Christians believe in having peace with God, themselves, and others and a peace from god that passing all understanding. How would you define God? Though many religions have similarities, they have more differences. So not every one that says God, means the same thing. Also, how do you know God spoke to you?
The Bible teaches that people came to God through faith before Christ, which is the same way they are able to come to him today. See Hebrews chapter 11. Remember that before Jesus, the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world, people brought a lamb that was a firgure that represented Jesus. Abel brought a lamb for himself. The families of Israel brought a lamb for their family (Exodus 12), and later they brought a lamb for the entire nation known as the day of Atonement. So the progression was from an individual, to the family, to the nation, and to the entire world. This is all done to forgive our sins so we can return to God and re-establish a broken relationship with Him.
True Christianity is a person; Jesus, and not a religion. It is basically having a personal relationship with Jesus. American does not equal Christian:)
I have friends from other religions, but i do not call them hypocrites. One can find hypocrites anywhere; work, school, politicians, and yes religious people.
I personally do not preach Christianity, but rather I preach Christ who loves us, forgives us, and save us. for example, see the bumper sticker “Not perfect, just forgiven”. And yes i do believe that followers of Jesus should practice what they preach.
I like the bumper sticker. I will be using it during a lesson on world views and religions in an up coming college and career class I lead. I believe we can coexist. We are taught to love one another and our enemies (a revolutionary teaching). The truth is that the whole world was once enemies with God, but he became human and coexisted and died for those of the world.
Awesome topic!
Derek
Wonderful discussion! Yes, this bumpersticker has come to simply irritate me, but my take on it is completely different from what I’ve read. First, it’s nothing more than pure capitalism by its retailer Peacemonger (which I applaud loudly) so I don’t overread any great meaning into it. Just like Michael Moore making a grand living as a leading liberal despite really being a quintessential capitalist. Anyway, I have two issues with the message. First, it’s simply naive or uninformed to preach peace when the “C” wants to kill all the other letters. Perhaps the message should be focused directly at the “C” instead. Most importantly, I think the message is not “freedom of religion”, rather “freedom from religion”. The former IS peace promoting and goodhearted and wants everyone to respect each other, the latter I feel is mean-spirited and judgemental of the religious “morons”. I come to this conclusion by observing the other bumperstickers on the same car. For example, more often than not there will be one of those “Darwin Fish” bumperstickers on the same car. That bumper sticker is nothing but hateful. What do you care if someone simply says they have a love for Christ by putting a fish symbol on their car? It is nothing but mocking and disrespectful to feel you need to show how much more “evolved” you are than the religious simpleton. Watch for yourself and see how many people have some type of hateful sticker next to a COEXIST one - ironic.
My response to this is that I know for a fact not all religions can be right, I’m also well aware that freedom to believe what you want is extremely important to have in society. That being said, I feel tha I know the truth and that it is my duty as a Christian to spread this truth. It’s not my job to force it upon people but what kind of person would I be not to warn people about hell? I should be spreading the word of the lord and no hiding it saying your ok i’m ok.
I’ve waited awhile to comment about this.. But I will now. This is a response for believers in Jesus Christ.
I do not agree with the message of this bumper sticker. When I see it, (in regards to the Church) I think of apathy, lukewarmness, and apostasy. We are trying SO HARD to make the whole world think we are these great, understanding, open-minded people that we are compromising our own beliefs in the process. It is sad. We are trying to change the gospel, trying to change God’s word, to fit in with our “modern” times. It is WRONG. God does not change (1 Samuel 15:29). God’s word does not change. Many people will be offended by the cross of Christ. Many will be offended when they are told that they are living in sin. We are not going to be able to co-exist peacefully with ALL people if we’re really doing God’s will. Yes we should try to live at peace with everyone (Hebrews 12:14), but its not up to us whether or not others will do the same to us, or love us back. I understand that we are to love others, of course we are. We also are to love our enemies and pray for them (Matthew 5:44). But this is not the business we are in, to try and fit in with everyone else and be unequally yoked with unbelievers. What do righteousness and wickedness have in common??? (Corinthians 6:14)
This was not the point of Jesus coming to the earth. He came to convict people of their sins, so they can repent, believe in Him, and be saved by His blood! The gospel remains the same. And He was hated, and killed. Should we expect any better?
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. -Luke 6:22
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets. -Luke 6:26
There are many many believers being persecuted and killed, imprisioned, kidnapped, etc. all over the world right now. It is dangerous to be a Christian in many parts of the world. Its not quite so dangerous in the US yet, but for those who are not compromising the Gospel in order that man shouldn’t be offended.. The times are changing.
Check out the website:
http://www.persecution.com/
3As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?”
4Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,[a]‘ and will deceive many. 6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9″Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
–Matthew 24:3-14
Wake up! Repent. Seek God, and His will for your life. Be watching!
okay coexisting is better than unity
coexisting means to live amidst each other
despite our differences, unity means together as one!
one religion, one country, one leader, one! but
the curious fact about the symbols on the bumper sticker is that
they’re all pagan/satanist. First off, the moon and star is pagan!
not muslim, you can speak to true muslim’s , there is no symbol
that represents there faith, faith and religion are different, the crescent and star symbol
was adopted by the Turks during the armenian genocide…
the peace symbol, or a broken, upside-down cross, to Roman emperor Nero, who hated and persecuted the early Christians, it meant destruction of Christianity. Revived in the sixties by hippies and others who protested nuclear weapons, Western culture, and Christian values (ignorance is bliss) the E represents hermaphrodite, bisexuals, homosexuality, etc.. or baphomet. The star of david is really a hexagram, this might offent a lot of Jews, at least the ones that read the kabalah, the true jews that read the tanakh know what is up; so when surrounded by a circle, it represents the “divine mind” (a counterfeit of God’s wisdom) to numerous occult groups through the centuries, for instance freemasons and kabalah worshipers share the same tree of life, atleast it’s systematic value. The “I” with the pentacle is obviously satanic, that’s a given. The ying and yang symbol has the same meaning as the swastika or in freemasonry the checkered floor, not anti semitic, this is why hitler really used it, it’s a movement for a new world order or a revolution, the black sun, the four winds, etc
Now last but not least, the cross is really catholic, now christianity is like islam, there shouldn’t be no symbol representing one’s faith atleast true christians know, christianity is not a religion it’s a faith and its been indoctrinated and combined with catholicism. The cross is where Jesus was crucified by the Romans/Jews, crosses are used in graveyards, mourning the dead. It’s a symbol of death and catholicism is really paganism, catholics are the one’s who said jesus was born dec, 24th, by mary blah blah blah star in the east is sirius
three kings are on orions belt and predates back to the ancient egyptians, babylonians, etc Pagan! pagan! pagan!
I am christian by faith not religion, I don’t need an image for God, jesus or the holy spirit. I don’t need a date when or by who he was born, I just have faith that he came and died for our sins. So the true story has been indoctrinated, muslims mesmorized the torah so it would’nt be indoctrinated as it has been. I’ve been studying symbolism and it’s connection to the present and ancient history for a while. The elitist of this world know that….so this bumper sticker has a good message except it’s true meaning is unity, what is unity? well uni means one or single in latin and it appears to be a new world order movement in plain sight.
Is it not fishy that everybody is brainwashed to go to church on SUNday? first day of the week, the jews go to church the sabbath day, saturday the seventh day of the week and the last as it says we should worship God on the day in the old testament. In my opinion we should worship God everyday! I’m not perfect I have flaws as everybody else, I don’t take credit for this knowledge for it is truth and my sweet God ehyeh asher ehyeh (translated from hebrew to english means i am that i am) allowed me to find this for a reason. Now my brothers and sisters, christian, muslim, jew or atheist, I pray for you all I pray for the world, this knowledge is for everybody but remember you must teach it to those who thirst for this. God bless you all! jesus lives! and the holy spirit is abundant to those who ask, seek, and knock…
Hey Remy, Know that if you are; then I am as well. People, God’s people, His creation are returinng back to the idea that we are all created equal in the eyes of God. There is only One God, and yes he died on the cross for yours and my sins as well as everyone else, including Jews and Muslims; Buddhists and atheists. All the religions are the result of collective intelligence and liberation theology. Simply put, people awaken to the Spirit as they awaken and then either turn to ideals of Heaven or Hell. God exists and Satan is the myth. But don’t tell the Sataninsts; tell healthcare abou their hypocritical or Hippocratic symbolism!
Some people believe they are condemned to Hell for their beliefs unless they believe what they are told. I believe that we are our own judge. So don’t be too hard on yourself on Judgment Day. Love is the key and Christ said, “Love God. And love your neighbor as yourself.” Facts and science are beginning to support dualsim in that we are 99.9% the same amidst all our differences of gender, skin color, geneaology, and eye color. Everything is 99.9% the same with all us humanoids. Yes Christ said, “ask, seek, and knock.” He also said, “Do not judge lest you should be judged.”
That is where coexist speaks of Christ’s abundant tolerance and compassion. The Fundamentalists on all sides are perpetuating the war between the three main religions; JCM, Judaism, Christianity, and Muslim. They all have bragging rights to Abraham. Mormonism included and is merely more Christianity surrounding the “eye for eye” Muslim camp, with the true love of Christ and American Indian and other worldwide cosmogonies, where they are all trying to agree on Peace Eternal. Some Mormons have their share of pedophile problems like some Catholic priests and yet they all try their best to do the right thing. The right thing is nothing and everything. And, God is everything or else He is nothing. I choose to believe He is everything, including COEXIST.
I don’t understand most Islam warlike tendencies but I understand this one simple Sufi proverb; “I searched for God and found only myself. And when I searched for myself, I found only God.” I believe God has never left us and is continually witnessing His creation as His spirit moves through the generations of mankind.
Here’s my simple version of COEXIST; I am sure that I could write a book on these seven letters and their symbolism, but I just read “The Fifth Agreement” which would state we need to get past symbolism to evolve. But here is my opinion of COEXIST for whatever it is worth. The first will be last and the last will first speaks volumes about the C and T. Turks and Christ. The C with a star is on many Muslim flags but it has more to do with astronomy based alchemy as do the EXIS. They all have cosmogonies about lesser beings as being angels or demons depending upon a person’s viewpoint on whether he is good or evil. Or whether he/she was evil and is now good or vice-versa.
The Yin-Yang and Star of David are merely a regurgitation of Eastern and Western thought that merged into the gray area of what we call science fiction. The same gray would hold true for the line separating the two tear drops leaving us with two spheres One of light; and one of darkness. The SOD is simply an upward-pointing triangle of light; super-imposed against a downward pointing triangle of darkness. The center area being gray, which is that gut feeling we all have towards why am I here? Whay are we here? Should we promote peace or war? I choose peace as would Christ, who I am sure is crying over all this alpha and omega Cain-Abel business of Abrahamic superiority.
The symbolism of the E with an upside down cross and upward arrow are symbols for female and male, but also symbolically explains [at least to me] why St. Peter demanded to be crucified upside down. He knew of the “sacred feminine” in the current of humanity as did St. John of Patmos, who described seven churches in Revelations. The first and last of the seven are goddess based churches and all others are based on patriarchal heirarchies and trade unions.
Know this, real men always protect their women and vice-versa. This is the agnosticism current. Women are in the WE camp and men/many men are in the Me camp. That is why I believe men go to war; they are to much into ME and by me, I mean they have lost contact with the True God of Creation, which by the way is not me nor is it you. “Those who say don’t know; and those who know don’t say.” By the way, I know very little other than my love for God and His love for me.
My belief system is simple. Believe in God. Trust in Christ. And, LOVE your neighbor since he has a viewpoint too. I also pray for the worldwide revolution of PEACE.
One thing I’ve noticed in my life’s travels is that different religious groups throughout time haven’t gotten along since the beginning of recorded history. The notion behind co-exist is a very touchy subject for many.
I grew up in a very religious family. Both my mother and my father’s side were equally as crazy as the other. I figured out at an early age religion is the reason why a lot of people on this earth fight. Either it be small factions of the same religion or differing religions blood has been shed in the name of Allah, God, Jesus, etc. I am of no religion and have found that most rational people think religion isn’t the answer but part of the problem.
Logic defies irrationality. I understand most people need religion to help them “live a better life” but it’s not for everyone. I’m one of those who represent a group of rational thinkers devoted to good moral and ethical practice not via religion but good old fashioned common sense. We are growing in number, thank Gaia!
To Docta Li: Re: The Devil and/or Satan: I think the best places on our Mother Earth to find evidence of the Devil or Satan may be within our own government and others that would think it is “OK” or “justifiable” to send unmanned drones to Afghanistan and Pakistan and Iraq and kill people with them. Just to drop a bomb from a plane or to fire a rifle at anyone who’s country you are illegally occupying is E V I L! This whole culture of war is evil. All the war contractors are evil. Who could support any government who employs a military that actually TRAINS CHILDREN to break God’s commandments? (The biggest one: THOU SHALT NOT KILL.. or is it “commit murder.”) Our kids need to wake up and realize that whomever their drill sergeant SAYS is ‘the bad guys’ might actually be the ‘good guys’ who are being horribly violated by the U.S. Military and that in fact, our SOLDIERS are ‘the bad guys!’ And they’re killing more every day. This is where Rev. Wright interpreted his views of “God damn America!” and I agree wholeheartedly.
War is not a necessity unless you are a weapons manufcturer and if the money spent on weapons to control the masses were stopped then more problems would erupt. Since no war will ever be totally won until Christ steps down out of the clouds shaking hands with Allah, Mohammed, Jehovah, and Yawheh, The nonsensical bad-mouthing by all parties only perpetuates this and other senseless wars which have never made any sense. So why is it done? Resources and power, people and territory, and while I don’t agree with damning America, I do find it necessary to defend those that cannot be defended. It is difficult being the world’s police force and its humanitarian, but I agree whole-heartedly that training any children to hate, kill or steal from anyone is inherently wong in God’s eyes. On another note, I have seen people taking photos of my COEXIST sticker while sitting in traffic on L.A. freeways. Someday everyone will wake up and understand, “to love your neighbor as yourself–will never mean–unless you have to kill him first.”
To Jerry Jaspar: THOU SHALT NOT KILL was given to the nation Israel so the citizens of that nation would know that it is wrong to kill a fellow citizen. This has nothing to do with the military personnel killing combatants during a war. You have taken this commandment out of context. We all know that the sole purpose of government is to protect it’s citizens. We need a military to protect us from “outside” threats and we need police to protect us from “inside” threats (i.e. citizens that don’t abide by the law)
sorry to get off track…please continue
Very well said gman. I don’t agree in war but as an ex-Marine I believe in defending our country and its citizens and now the US, like I said in my previous post has a difficult job by being the world’s “police force and its humanitarian.” We are always the first on the scene of any disaster and that has got to be favorable in God’s eyes. I see the Christians being upset about the symbol being pagan, but I also believe that Christ never intended for this Muslim problem to be so out of control. The Old Testament’s history and the Koran both speak of an eye for an eye mentality, but when will the world wake up and be rational instead of fundamentalists and idealists? I must believe that Christ died on the cross so none of us should perish, but try telling that to a Christian or Muslim or Jew, who are certain they are right. How can they all be right? It is again the Abrahamic root that we all; every 7+ billion of us that realize we are all part of God’s master plan towards peace and COEXIST even though many do not see it this way and attempt to manipulate and control.
As a Christian I have to say the bumper sticker does not bother me at all. I believe in Jesus Christ, not in a sticker or a symbol. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the Bible taught us not to worship man-made objects, I think this includes bumper stickers or the symbols contained in them. If its just a symbol then why let it anger you. I think so many times people get wrapped up in a “pissing contest” of who is right and who is wrong that they forget who they are. The Bible preaches love and peace, and yet so many project anger when “forcing their belief on someone”. If I ever feel any hate or anger towards someone for believing in a religion other than my own, I ask my self “am I being Christian about this?”. The answer is no, how as Christians are we to spread the word of love and peace if we do it with hate and anger. I must say I agree that have to learn to coexist, for who are we to judge anyone but ourselves. If you call yourself a Christian than walk as one, with love and peace in your heart.
I will repeat what many people are saying. The def. of coexist is: exist at the same time or in the same place. As a disciple of Christ I am taught that coexistence is meaningless, as existing with others is impossible to avoid. Now to love each other as Christ loves us would change the world. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says that love is the most important of things. So true Christians shouldn’t get bent out of shape over a bumper sticker that is truly nonsense and go out and show love.
To quote the Beatles, all you need is love.
From your 15 year old friend,
Izrael Hamilton
SO SAY I. The human is the cancer of the EARTH !!!!!! Racism: and RELIGIOUS DOMINANCE!!!!! is the UGLIEST of human behaviors. COEXIST COEXIST COEXIST
i agree with the idea of coexisting. The parable of the wheat and the tares teaches that it is God’s job in the end of the world to gather the true believers together. It is not our job to separate the wheat from the tares. We must coexist until the end of the ages.
The comment about “These are the same people who talked about the world being flat” is totally ignorant. It was the scientists of the day that made up the flat earth theory. No biblical author voiced any opinion about the shape of the earth. There were a lot of scientific truths that were not known or understood at the time of the writing of the Bible. That is no reason to reject the spiritual truths that the Book teaches that have proven to be true over time. “Pride comes before the fall” and the “wages of sin is death” etc.
“the one true God ” I took that quote from Carter, and that is exactly where the religious intolerance begins. My nice opinion is that not everyone is the same and not everyone has the same spiritual and mental capacities. Some religions are more complex than others but they all lead to the same place and there is one for everyone. God made it this way.
On the other hand, if someone is going to claim to know that there religion contains the “the one true God ” then my not so nice reaction is that he/she is pitifully brainwashed by acculturated beliefs and cannot think for themselves.
Left the most important part out of my previous message. All Gods are one God. Catch a clue folks if you don’t know this already, and IT(God, Goddess, Allah, Whatever) isn’t yours alone. It made us all. Choose whatever religious practice and prayer and ritual you want, but don’t be a doo doo head! Peace and Love, God Bless and Bright Blessings to all.