What if someone who’s hostile to Christianity asks for your opinion on a controversial topic? For instance, what if someone came up to you and asked:

What do you think about abortion?

What do you believe about homosexuals?

Would you ever attend a gay “wedding ceremony?”

These questions are coming. You know they’re loaded with potential to make a casual conversation turn into a combat scene. Is there anyway to give a truthful answer without falling into the inevitable trap of being accused as “intolerant” or “hateful” or “bigoted?”

In his podcast, Greg Koukl shared this helpful approach on how to diffuse the intolerance accusation.

If you’re placed in a situation where you suspect your convictions will be labeled intolerant, bigoted, narrow-minded, or judgmental, then turn the tables. When someone asks for your personal views about a moral issue, preface your remarks with a question.

Say, “You know, this is actually a very personal question you’re asking. I don’t mind answering, but before I do, I want to know if it’s safe to offer my views.

“So let me ask you a question: Do you consider yourself a tolerant person or an intolerant person? Is it safe to give my opinion, or are you going to judge me for my point of view? Do you respect diverse points of view, or do you condemn others for convictions that differ from your own?”

Now when my friend gives her point of view, it’s going to be very difficult for her boss to call her intolerant or judgmental without looking guilty, too.

This response capitalizes on the fact that there’s no morally neutral ground. Everybody has a point of view she thinks is right and everybody passes judgment at some point or another. The Christian gets pigeon-holed as the judgmental one, but everyone else is judging, too. It’s an inescapable consequence of believing in morality.

Read the rest of Greg’s article here.

HT: Amy Hall