Monday, September 8, 2014

Islamophopia, ISIS & Terrorists



Just this day, a Facebook post of an article streamed into my Newsfeed. According to the headlines of the shared article, "911 Families" are being praised for their "anti-hate" in speaking out against a sin that is known as Islamophobia.

I get it. I get the concern.

The persons who express concern about a fear of Muslims that stirs up hate and prejudice of all Muslims as a people group, mean very well. They value tolerance. They want all people groups to be respected and accepted. They may not realize that, when it comes to tolerance of people regardless of religion, that in each major world religion (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) there exist radical elements of co-adherents who are "totally sold out" to that religion. Or if they realize that fact, they may see their atrocities and violent acts as isolated incidents, and speaking out against them as tarring these world religions with the same broad brush. Why do they fear that, even if this means forgetting about their unfortunate victims?

The persons who are concerned about Islamophobia may be quick to point one fact out. They may not pay attention to the current ISIS inhumanity against mostly Christians, because they may blame Christians for many of the world's problems. These persons no doubt are aware of the shameful times in Church history, when professing Christians engaged in acts of violence. These persons may be fully aware of professing Christians who may engage in shameful acts against the LGBT community, holding up hate-filled signs. These persons may point out all the acts of violence against abortion clinics and even those inside them. I get that.

There is absolutely no excuse for any of these shameful acts. None.

But there is one thing about Christianity that sets it apart from other religions. Its Founder, Jesus, teaches that His followers are to be peaceful and nonviolent even to our enemies. Does any other world religion teach love and nonviolence even toward one's enemies? Does any other religion teach that, in instances of persecution, even death, that its followers are to refuse to deny their Founder? Does any other religion have so many millions of adherents, even today, who choose death than denying their Founder?

Guess who persecutes religious minorities? The religious! The religious majority, that is.

What about all those extremists who have killed in the Name of Jesus? It's safe to say that these so-called Christians either had totally misinterpreted the teachings of Jesus, or may not be Christ followers in reality. While we in the West may not suffer severe persecution for adhering to any religion, including Christianity, many religious minorities are suffering all over the world! Studies tell us that over 70 percent of these persecuted are Christians. This is because Biblical Christianity calls on its followers to stand for their Jesus even when this means "imposing one's religion or morality on others," coming off as "narrow and intolerant" and breaking with cultural trends. Does any other religion, including Islam, ask for such extreme yet peaceful, nonviolent, devotion of its followers? Last time I checked, I have not seen it.

This concern for Islamophobia seems to have crept into many local churches, if much silence of the global persecution of Christians and other religious minorities is any indication.

What about the victims of ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas and other terrorists? Do you think that they appreciate our concern about being Islamophobes and remain silent about their plight because of it or any other reason? Do you think those on the ground serving these victims and witnessing their beheadings, crucifixions, hangings, rapes, and other atrocities, appreciate silence in the name of tolerance or anything else? Really?

Is there any religion other than Christianity, whose Founder built His Kingdom by dying for His subjects, and returned to life again?

If you simply need to educate yourself about this, let me direct you to an authority about Middle East issues. Find him at RaymondIbrahim.com.

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