This is a glaring example:
This country was settled by people who wanted the freedom to practice their faith as they saw fit. But there's a reason the Pilgrims had to get out of Europe, and it's the same reason Michael Salman is encountering so much resistance from his neighborhood.
At the time the pilgrims left England, there was a state run church. Those who didn't want to follow the exact edicts of the church were imprisoned and executed. That isn't even close to what is going on here, so the mere comparison is evidence of the writer being a whacked out prejudiced nit-wit.
Being imprisoned for being a unreasoned lout, IS NOT the same thing as being imprisoned or executed because you disagree with a dictate of the state church.
What drives this man, or his specific behaviors that differ from that of the writer, are also unrelated to this matter, in that this is not why the man is being taken to task by the law. We shouldn't be reviewing his fervor here. We should be reviewing what he has done that warrants intervention. Unfortunately this is a point lost on the writer of the Rest of the Story. Fervor is only a problem when it is forced on others.
The fact that this guy is on fire, isn't the problem. His religion isn't the problem. The fact he wants to witness to others isn't either. It's when the pursuit of his rights begins to push back the rights of others, that a problem arises. And that is what should be addressed, without the personal barbs.
Congregating should be arranged so that the size of the group does not impact other people. A church side room would be appropriate if the group is large. Even then, some consideration should be given to how loud and frequent the meetings will be, and whether neighbors will be impacted too frequently to be considered reasoned.
If a group of four to six wants to meet for prayer meetings or religious study, it should be fine. It would be even better if the host home were switched up among the participants, so that neighbors of one home aren't always subject to noise or a street with no parking spaces on a frequent basis.
As Christians we should expect to have rights, and to be free to exercise them. At the same time, we need to be good neighbors.
The Christian religion is focused in part on witnessing. What type of message is conveyed if a Christian is so careless that he turns his neighbors off not only to him and his group, but in all likelihood to Christ Himself.
Moderation in all things... Salman needs to rethink his approach.
D-1, your reasoning and logic is flawless and impeccable, as always, brother.
Stories like this always have a knee-jerk reaction built into them. But there’s always more to it.
Nothing like bringing condemnation upon the image of Christ, and His followers.
well said, DoughtyOne