It is another of the strange mysteries of this campaign. President Obama gets “hammered” on this lack of Christian faith, according to some, and then he goes and does something that is perfectly in keeping with the New Testament teachings of Jesus, and he gets “hammered” again as being weak. Taking up the Cross of Jesus and loving your enemies and not returning violence for violence does, in so many minds of Americans, show weakness. But it is the Gospel’s foolishness of the Christian cross.
The outrage of the Afghanistans at the burning of their Holy Book, The Quran, has been raging for several days. Our soldiers did make a mistake in disposing of those books by burning them. President Obama apologized for that mistake and that perceived insult to Muslims. That sounds to me like something a Christian might do. Apologize for causing pain to another. That is why President Obama has improved our internal image around the world. He has been considerate of other people’s and other countries feelings and opinions.
So now the Republican candidates who have been claiming that President Obama is not a Christian are attacking him for his acting like one. Maybe the best thing would be for Obama to forgive them for they do not know what they are talking about.
So true. Not many people stop to think about what Jesus would do. It is important to remember that Jesus was not at all popular with the political figures of the day, or even his own people. Jesus asks us to love one another, including our antagonists. Those who truly adhere to what Jesus taught are often considered weak, which shows those judges of others are not at all in tune with the spirit of love.
“When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.”
? unknown. (Note: Do not point me to Sinclair Lewis and his 1935 book It Can’t Happen Here, because this sentence it is not in the book nor is something close to it. None the less it is a phrase of true warning.)
Our county’s modern christian’s are willing to ignore the reason the early settlers were fleeing their homelands for the eastern shores of the America’s. They were seeking religious tolerance away from religious persecution. Tolerance requires understanding and acceptance; acceptance that your way (religion) is not the only religion. It was this lack of tolerance that drove the witch believing fundamentalist Protestants (pilgrims) from their home land.
An intolerance that seems to permeate very pore of our county’s modern christian’s.
Our forefathers actually came to America for religious freedom NOT religious tolerance. They were persecuted for not bowing to the Church of England, Roman Catholic Church etc. In fact, no religion tolerates an anti-thelogy in the midst of their practices and beliefs. I include athiesm as a religion.
How we (the USA) finally deals with Islam has ye to be determined. To date we have “apologized” almost anytime a muslim is offended. Christians on the other hand are expected (by the church, our government, everyone it seems) to turn the other cheek when offended. That pretty much includes any and all types of offenses. Is that scriptural? Maybe, maybe not.
If I burned a Christian’s bible, does that Christian/Christian community have the right to harm me or even kill me? And if they do, would my friends and family and country have the right to demand justice? Since there’s really only one rational answer, why then do we (the USA and other western nations) refuse to require justice for the murders and comitted by Islamic people?
I do think Obama’s apology was the right thing to do, if for no other reason than the safety of our soldiers. But, there’s no law against book burning and to reprimand the soldiers might actually be a violation of the soldiers constitutional rights.
Rick, since you represent the clergy, can you answer the question you posed in your article? How are Christians supposed to act in the face of a religion that endorses terror, death and destruction against anyone who doesn’t agree with them? In answering I think you will discover the frustration of the people (including GOP politicians) that you describe. One or two scriptures can’t cover it up.
Gary, It is not for me to answer that. The New Testament tells us what we should do. Blessed are you when men revile and persecute you. Pray for your enemies. “How blest you are when you suffer insults and persecution. Accept it with gladness. Love your enemies. If the soldier makes you walk a mile, walk two miles. It is not my words, and we may not like it or we may not be able to do it, but the history of the christian faith has always faced persecution, violence and abuse and has spoken of those who have shown love and compassion to those attacking them.
Rick, I think you are wrong …. every Christian should be able to answer that question. Your response seems pretty much taken out of context as it applies to today’s issues. Jesus was speaking to a Jewish people who were under severe oppression by the Roman empire. We can’t throw out the Old Testament and forget that Jesus blasted the Church leaders, and that God uses man to exact justice, and that Jesus is referred to dozens of times as a military leader. I thought protecting and being willing to die for our friends and families was a an example of love. God also thought that through all of the scriptures and of course by the Christ’s death.
But if you really do think it best to stay silent when attacked and persecuted, how can you, as Democratic Party leader, attack your political adversaries the way you do?
“Our forefathers actually came to America for religious freedom NOT religious tolerance.” Gary Morgan I recommend you re-check the facts here. The witch believing fundamentalist protestants fled England seeking a place tolerant of their peculiar belief system. The witch believing fundamentalist protestants found tolerance in the Massachusetts colony as they paid taxes to England. They were free to burn and drown witches and slaughter the navies of the land. There is sufficient historical record to prove that tolerance was the motivating element.
“How we (the USA) finally deals with Islam has ye(sic) to be determined.” What do you mean the USA finally deals with Islam? That does not sound very tolerant to me. You may want to take a look behind you; there are a billion followers of Islam compared to a few hundred million christians.
“Christians on the other hand are expected (by the church, our government, everyone it seems)” In these United States the government does not expect any religion to do anything. Re-read the first amendment, it says freedom OF religion. Supposedly turning the other check is a strength of the christian religion.
“If I burned a Christian’s bible does that Christian/Christian community have the right to harm me or even kill me?” You may want to confirm this with the witch believing fundamentalist protestants.
“I do think Obama’s apology was the right thing to do, if for no other reason than the safety of our soldiers.” You may want to re-check the Constitution, the President is Commander and Chief of the military. This same rule applies to Grant and Lee at Appomattox.
“But, there’s no law against book burning …” Within the borders of the US, this a correct statement with some exceptions.
“Rick, since you represent the clergy, …” Gary your poor brain is so over worked, Mr. Brand did not say or imply he represented the clergy.