Not of this World

The Bible instructs us that believers in Christ are not of this world and should not follow the ways of this world. That doesn't mean that we are victims of this world, but we are called to live as victors in it, despite opposition that we may face. Jesus taught in John 15:
18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

I don't know the faith practices of one Christopher Thevanesan of Rochester, New York, but according to The Western Journal:

He’s suing Starbucks and five of his former colleagues after experiencing what his legal complaint called “extreme and outrageous” harassment merely because he is straight, according to a Thursday report from The Independent.

The article notes:

The lawsuit described Thevanesan as a “model employee who performed the essential functions of his employment in an exemplary fashion.”

But he allegedly endured a “hostile” work environment since his coworkers apparently targeted him because of his “gender typicality and sexual orientation.”

After complaining to management, Christopher was fired.  The article's writer, Ben Zeisloft, relates:

The broader homosexual and transgender movement usually characterizes itself to the public as loving, inclusive, and tolerant.

But if this disgruntled Starbucks worker is to be believed, that community is actually highly spiteful, exclusionary, and intolerant.

That's been the experience of author and Bible teacher Christopher Yuan.  The Christian Post reports that Yuan's non-profit organization, Holy Sexuality "has filed a lawsuit against a California-based technology company, accusing it of religious discrimination."  The article goes on to say that the organization has "filed a complaint" against Asana, Inc. in a federal district court in San Francisco. The article states: "According to the lawsuit, Asana refused to give Holy Sexuality a 50% nonprofit discount for the company’s project management software due to the religious nature of the organization."

The Christian Post also noted that the suit, filed by Alliance Defending Freedom "cited an entry on Asana’s website which excludes from their discount 'organizations that exist to solely propagate a belief in a specific faith or do not provide services to people outside of a specific faith.'" Furthermore, according to the article:

Asana also bars from the nonprofit discount any hospitals, credit unions, educational institutions, and any groups “that advocate, support, or practice discrimination based on age, ethnicity, gender, national origin, disability, race, size, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.”

Yuan was quoted in a press release issued by ADF, saying his belief that our country “was founded on the principle of the free exercise of religion — a cornerstone of our democracy.”  He went on to say:

“Yet some corporations, emboldened by intersectional ideology and anti-Christian sentiment, choose to unlawfully discriminate based solely on religion,” stated Yuan. “This must stop. California law protects all religions from discrimination. Equal treatment is the bedrock of our society.”

Yuan is described as formerly an "agnostic homosexual;" now he is a Christian theologian.

These examples show that among those that preach "tolerance," there is a certain intolerance toward those who disagree.  In the case of Christopher Thevanesan, it resulted in bullying at work and the loss of a job.  In Christopher Yuan's situation, he faced economic intolerance - not being allowed a certain discount for non-profit organizations because it is religious in nature and viewed as discriminatory.

The world does not understand a Biblical worldview on sexuality and you have those, as I was talking about with Nader Maurice of KDEC church in Egypt, people are afraid of those who are different. I would submit that Satan also uses an unhealthy fear of what is not understood.  And, you find people who don't understand Christianity - because of our differences, they become hostile - and perhaps even afraid.  And I think there are those who don't want to be reminded of their own sinfulness. 

Fact is, Jesus said that we would be hated by the world - so when we run up against opposition, we can wear that as a badge of honor.  Now, we should not generate hate and damage our witness by displaying unchristian behavior. But, if we are living in the light of the Lord and are rejected for it, we can continue to abide in Christ and allow His love to touch the people with whom we interact through our witness to His presence.