Two major things have happened this week, involving the world's two largest religions: Christianity and Islam.
One was a stupid amateurish film that insulted the prophet Muhammed. We all saw the reactions to it- people murdered, embassies stormed, riots, mobs, destruction of property, etc. Now, a week later, the violence has spread to other embassies- France and Germany are closing embassies for fear of more violence to their people and facilities.
The second was an article putting forth the proposition that Jesus might have been married. This contradicts the Scriptural account of Jesus and could be seen as insulting to Jesus. We all saw the reactions to this as well- Christian mobs rioting in the streets, bombing mosques and synagogues, murdering people and posting pictures of it, tearing down flags and putting up the cross, ripping up Korans and burning them while dancing and shouting. Right?
Nope.
I find it interesting that the two largest religions in the world have both been tested this week, both with potentially insulting messages lobbed at them. I am very proud to say that while some Christians may have gotten upset and said some things on Facebook posts that were ugly, there has been and will be no violence from Christians because of it. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when insulted, and I am so very happy to see it happening, in contrast to what I see from the Islamic reaction to their test.
Now, before I go any further, I know that not every Muslim has reacted violently. I would only be telling part of the story if I didn't note that I have heard from several Muslim people how grieved they are to see the violence and how embarrassed they are for this to be displayed for all the world to see.
Here in Lexington, there is a billboard up advertising atheism. Still no violent Christian mobs running through the streets, setting fire to the billboard, murdering the people who put it up. I guess the people who put up the billboard were counting on the nonviolence and character of Christians, because I would imagine they wouldn't have the guts to put that billboard up in Pakistan or Egypt or Libya. They knew if they did that, they could count on a mob coming after them. But not here among the Christians. Christians may criticize and be opposed to it, but there will be no violence because of it. For that I am very thankful.
I find it very interesting that these two tests came within one week of each other. Each major religion was tested. The test scores speak for themselves.
One was a stupid amateurish film that insulted the prophet Muhammed. We all saw the reactions to it- people murdered, embassies stormed, riots, mobs, destruction of property, etc. Now, a week later, the violence has spread to other embassies- France and Germany are closing embassies for fear of more violence to their people and facilities.
The second was an article putting forth the proposition that Jesus might have been married. This contradicts the Scriptural account of Jesus and could be seen as insulting to Jesus. We all saw the reactions to this as well- Christian mobs rioting in the streets, bombing mosques and synagogues, murdering people and posting pictures of it, tearing down flags and putting up the cross, ripping up Korans and burning them while dancing and shouting. Right?
Nope.
I find it interesting that the two largest religions in the world have both been tested this week, both with potentially insulting messages lobbed at them. I am very proud to say that while some Christians may have gotten upset and said some things on Facebook posts that were ugly, there has been and will be no violence from Christians because of it. Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when insulted, and I am so very happy to see it happening, in contrast to what I see from the Islamic reaction to their test.
Now, before I go any further, I know that not every Muslim has reacted violently. I would only be telling part of the story if I didn't note that I have heard from several Muslim people how grieved they are to see the violence and how embarrassed they are for this to be displayed for all the world to see.
Here in Lexington, there is a billboard up advertising atheism. Still no violent Christian mobs running through the streets, setting fire to the billboard, murdering the people who put it up. I guess the people who put up the billboard were counting on the nonviolence and character of Christians, because I would imagine they wouldn't have the guts to put that billboard up in Pakistan or Egypt or Libya. They knew if they did that, they could count on a mob coming after them. But not here among the Christians. Christians may criticize and be opposed to it, but there will be no violence because of it. For that I am very thankful.
I find it very interesting that these two tests came within one week of each other. Each major religion was tested. The test scores speak for themselves.
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