I don't recall this outrage when Christ and Christianity has been insulted, degraded, and otherwise dragged through the mud (although we Christians don't like it, especially when it is government funded art...).
I believe these two starkly different reactions reflect the founders of Islam and Christianity. Christ was mocked and humiliated even to death on a cross. Yet through this meekness, he rose victorious, conquering sin. Mohammad operated by fear conquering through war and violence. People followed largely because Islam was the order of the day. Christ trancends insults and slander, Mohammad cannot.
2 comments:
I began reading your blog a few weeks ago. Though I am a liberal (I was raised in California- it's practically inevitable), I like to read your point of view on current issues.
Regarding this particular topic, I'd like to ask your opinion on this: Christianity as a religion has engaged in its fair share of violence, especially when its believers have endured religious oppression and persecution- something that Muslims are experiencing now. Al Queda's attack on America (the most powerful nation on earth economically and perhaps militarily) caused the majority of international powers to side with us, thus increasing the social injustice experienced by Muslims in Europe (something that probably contributed to the French riots).
I'm not saying that violence is justified by religion; I think that religion should be a positive thing and unite people through shared ethics and morals if not shared beliefs. I simply dislike the fact that religion is an area which causes unrivaled numbers of fanatics, only a small portion of whom instigate or participate in violence in the form of hate crimes, murders, and jihads.
It is my opinion that religions are, for the most part, sets of beliefs which encourage peace, understanding, moral righteousness, and spiritual enlightenment. (I am talking mainly about the three major religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism; there are/have been plenty of cults which are/were based upon violence.) Humans, however, are flawed. The teachings of Christ, for example, are awesome, and his life should be emulated. But humanity skews the practice of religion. Would Jesus have endorsed the Crusades, witch hunts, and lynchings? I like to think that he was above that, and cite his actions (forgiveness, mediation, and aiding the ill and ostracized) as recorded in the Bible as evidence.
Marie,
Thanks for your comments! I appreciate reading a different viewpoint. I agree with several points you made. The Crusades, Inquisition, witch hunts, lynchings, were/are not Biblical. These acts remind us just how much we need a Savior.
However, I don’t believe I agree with this statement, “Al Queda's attack on America (the most powerful nation on earth economically and perhaps militarily) caused the majority of international powers to side with us, thus increasing the social injustice experienced by Muslims in Europe (something that probably contributed to the French riots).”
I don’t think the global war on terror has increased the social injustice experienced by Muslims. It is true that there have been isolated incidents of hate against Arabs and Muslims, but nothing systematized. The conditions that lead to the French riots had been building for years prior to 9/11. And I think you’ll notice that those conditions were based on the secularization of all of French society. After all, France encourages policies that seek to deny religion (banning headscarves and crosses on jewelry). Plus, let’s not forget the great good that Christians are doing throughout the Muslim world, including in Sudan where Christians have been leading the cause for helping those being oppressed (read Alan Hertzke’s Freeing God’s Children for more on this).
The violent reaction by many Muslims to these cartoons is wrong. Even if they weren’t Muslims, this reaction would be wrong. There is no room to justify this reaction.
But, again, I do agree that people have perpetuated violence throughout history and that is inconsistent with Scripture. Yet, when we look at the Bible, we see that Jesus Christ stood for love of God and man, justice, holiness, and forgiveness among others. His teachings are more than just good philosophy or wonderful ideas to promote social justice. For as Christ himself said, he has come to bring everlasting life in heaven to all who believe rescuing us from the eternity in hell that we deserve. That’s the foundation of all of Jesus’ teachings.
Thanks again Marie, and feel free to add your thoughts at anytime!
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