So the Muslim world is up in arms because of some caricatures of the prophet Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban on his head and because the Muslims protested the first distribution in Denmark, other European papers chose to run this caricature not because there was necessarily a political statement to be made but because the papers intended to make a point about "liberty" and the press's freedom of expression.
What saddens me is not that these papers chose an "in your face" approach to defend their liberties but that the Christian Church as a whole has been thus far silent with the exception of Pope Benedict calling it an "unnecessary incitement". It seems to me that there was much lamentation, during WWII when it was well-known what the Nazis were up to against the Jews, that the Catholic Church took quite a beating about its own silence during that era, a silence which the late John Paul II chose to apologize for.
Say what you will about Islam and Muslims in general but if Christians do not come to the defense of those who are genuinely offended by these caricatures, then we are no better than the ones who are throwing this "liberty" in the face of any who oppose. To defend against that which is wrong, however, is not to respond in like manner but to respond as the apostle Paul would have - in fact, did - admonish the Romans, "If your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died." Romans 14:15 NKJV
Of course we are not talking about food, but the offense is just as real. And while we may not consider Muslims to be our "brothers" simply because they are not Christian, we must surely realize that Christ died for them just as surely as He died for any one of us. That is, of course, if He truly is the Savior of the WORLD. Accepting or rejecting this Gift does not change the course of history. So if Christ died for one, He surely died for all and our liberty has not been granted to us for our own use but for the glory of God alone.
Christians must be the voice of reason. In speaking up on behalf of Islam in the face of this unnecessary provocation, there is an opportunity availing itself to us at this time that we have yet to fully appreciate. What an opportunity to show Muslims what we really believe and what we truly stand for! And during this "window of opportunity", they just might be willing to listen.
2 comments:
Michael,
I'm sorry that I haven't discovered your blog before now. I like your writing and the way you think. But in regard to this post, I will have to say that it is hard for me to defend people who have, in the name of their religion, caused worldwide rampages, death, and destruction. Mankind needs religion to survive, not to be destroyed.
Keep up the good work.
You said it well, Wes, and thank you for the kind words. It is easy to see that far too many, in the name of their religion, do more harm than good but it is not unique to Islam. I certainly cannot defend those who answer anything with violence, but we have to bear in mind that these kinds of people only hide behind their religion and use it as some lame excuse to execute "justice".
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