Stand Up for What is Right even if You Stand Alone: Christian Case

Jesus is a role model for Christians and demonstrates his gospel values in the Bible through his thoughts, words and actions in relation to respect for the life and dignity of each individual, forgiveness and equality. The term counterculture “is a subculture whose values and norms of behaviour differ substantially from those of mainstream society, often in opposition to mainstream cultural mores”. The counter-culture issues that will be elaborated on in this 'Stand up for what is right even if you stand alone' essay are: freedom of expression, same-sex marriage and the right to an education. Pope Francis quote 'I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love.' This Is telling Christians to make a difference and to make a stand for what we believe in and what is right. The use of this quote influences Christians and people to take action and how our actions are reflecting on what Jesus’ action were, and if Jesus is influencing our actions than our actions are symbolising our love and believe in God.

Freedom of Expression and Belief as One of the Counter-Culture Issues

A counter-culture issue that is evident in today's society is freedom of expression. According to Freedom from Institute, the term freedom of expression is defined as “the ability of an individual or group of individuals to express their beliefs, thoughts, ideas, and emotions about different issues.” Freedom of expression is considered a counter-cultural issue due to the many aspects that fall under it such as gender equality, mental health and domestic violence. These issues fall under the absence of freedom of expression due to many people in today's community who struggle to express their beliefs, thoughts and emotions due to the opinions of society. As Christians, we are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by reflecting the gospel values of justice, honesty, equality, community and compassion. These gospel values encourage Christians to speak up and speak the truth. This is supported by “Now the Lord is the spirit, & where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” This quote from 2 Corinthians 3:17 refers to the idea that the Lord is a spirit helped to guide Christians to freedom, to believe when he is near that Christians have the strength to stand up for what is right. “For freedom Christ has set us free stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” This extract for the bible of Galatians 5:1 reflects on the idea that Christ has sacrificed himself so that Christian can be free and to use the gift of freedom to stand forth and fight and speak out for what is right and to not give in to society and peer pressure. Even though their belief is different from Christ teachings the way a response is expressed should be respectful and allow the other side of the opinion to be heard and shared and following the Christian teachings of the gospel values of respect for the life and dignity of each individual, community and peace.

Christian Viewpoint on Same-Sex Marriage Practice

According to Encyclopedia Britannica Same sex-marriage is “the practice of marriage between two men or between two women.” same-sex marriage is regarded as a counter-cultural issue as it has been regulated throw law, religion and society. In many countries in the world, same-sex marriage has been shamed upon and illegal and people have been thrown in jail because of whom they love. While in some countries it is celebrated and legal but only since 2015. Same-sex marriage is a very diverse topic as many cultures and religions do not believe or condone it. In the Catholic Bible, it is said: 'If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.' This scripture identifies that the Catholic Church does not condone same-sex marriage as they consider it as an abomination and it is forbidden. They believe that God first created male and female not male and male. Same-sex marriage was only legalised in 2017 by going to a whole country vote. Since it was legalised over 6,000 couples from around Australia have tied the knot in the first 12 months. Christian do not believe or support the idea of same-sex marriage but as society changes and develops more Christians are becoming open to the idea and now supporting it. Same-sex married couples are denied the rights of love. By following the gospel values of Jesus of compassion, equality and the respect for the life and dignity of each Christians are becoming more liberty-minded and diverted to the idea of same-sex marriage.

Every Child Deserves the Right to an Education

Around the world, 59 million children are being denied the right to primary school education. As per the website Right to Education they define it as “the right to education is legally guaranteed for all without discrimination” The right to an education is considered counter-cultural as many countries in the world no don’t allow or believe in giving children the right to an education but in 2012 there were 168 million child labour workers aged 5 to 17 instead of going to school. Christians believe that everyone should have the right to an education. A reference from the book of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” Jeremiah 29:11 is declaring that God has a plan for everyone to be educated to get a future and not to give in to temptations. God says he has a plan for everyone in our way in our own time God has a plan. The right to an education was demonstrated by Saint Mary Mackillop as she and Father Tenison Woods started the Stable school in 1866 where children learned to read, write, math, singing, sewing, woodwork and taught them about God and Jesus. Saint Mary Mackillop also set up schools across Australia and New Zealand. Other countries may not believe that every child deserves the right to an education but as Christians, they must teach and encourage children just like Jesus did.

Final Thoughts

Jesus is a role model for Christians and demonstrates that we should stand up for what is right even if you stand alone. To follow Jesus we must stand up against this culture and “swim against the tide”. This is what the Pope encourages us to do as evidenced by his quote. This what Jesus want from us. 

References

1. 1. Casanova, J. (1994). Public Religions in the Modern World. University of Chicago Press.

   2. John Courtney Murray, S. (1960). We Hold These Truths: Catholic Reflections on the American Proposition. Sheed & Ward.

   3. Hauerwas, S. (2008). Christianity and Democracy: The Politics of Belief and Practice. Cambridge University Press.

   4. Wainwright, G. (2005). Religious Freedom and the Christian Church. Church Publishing, Inc.

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   5. Johnson, P. (2010). The Right to Religious Freedom in International Law: Between Group Rights and Individual Rights. Routledge.