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 A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an opinion article for a local paper that focused on one major thing the three great monotheistic religions of the world have in common: Father Abraham. Want a modest proposal for peace? Let all the children of Abraham agree not to kill each other.
I do not mean to downplay the unique claims and distinct beliefs of each of the religions. After all, I am an ordained Christian minister who seeks to follow Jesus, whom I profess to be the ultimate revelation of God's love to all the world.
Over the past couple of weeks, though, I have been reminded of the events of September 11, 2001. Have I forgotten what the “Muslim world” wants to do to Christians?
9/11. Unimaginable violent acts of such hatred brought forth by people acting in the name of Heaven.
However, Muslims around the world quickly condemned the attacks, saying that true Islam does not teach hatred and violence.
I know Christians who live among Muslims in other parts of the world, and I hear their stories of fellowship. I am getting to know some Muslims here in Starkville, and I have worshiped God – the Maker of Heaven and Earth – with Muslim friends at a Baptist service on a Sunday morning. Because of these personal experiences, it's easy for me to distinguish between a radical religious minority fueled by fear, hatred and self-righteousness, from the majority of Muslims who profess the message of peace, the message of goodwill toward others, and the message of love and devotion to the God of Abraham, Moses and David.
The Crusades. A reminder that by no means do Muslims have a monopoly on religious fundamentalists who spew hatred and cause unspeakable, unimaginable destruction in the name of Heaven.
I haven't heard of any Christians lately praising the terrible violence done in God's name during the Crusades. Were they carried out in hatred? Yes. Out of fear? Probably. Lust for power? No doubt.
But for the glory of God? In service to Christ, the Prince of Peace? No. Of course not.
The Crusades do not stand alone in history. People have continued to commit atrocities in the name of Christianity.
Slavery? Done in the name of Heaven, believing to be ordained and set forth by God.
Segregation? Done in the name of Heaven, and defended by Christians leaders, pastors, deacons, and laity.
Beatings, lynchings, and even church bombings? In Heaven's name, and by some folks who went to church the next day feeling fully justified.
Shooting doctors who perform abortions? Celebrating deaths because of the deceased's sexual orientation? All done in the name of Heaven; in the name of God; in the name of Jesus . . .
I'm a big fan of Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz. I especially love the story he shares of confessing to non-Christians; confessing to others the horrible things done in the name of Christianity over the centuries, and asking forgiveness. Don't judge Jesus by the actions of Christians, Miller emphasizes.
I'll leave it to my Jewish friends (who wish Christians shalom in the name of the one true God, the God of Abraham) to speak to the atrocities some people commit in the name of God and in the name of Judaism.
I'll leave it to my Muslim friends (who wish Christians peace in the name of the one true God, the God of Abraham) to speak to the atrocities some people commit in the name of God and in the name of Islam.
But as for my fellow Christians – we who profess to worship the one true God, the God of Abraham; revealed in Jesus Christ, whom we profess to be God's only Son – let's be wary of making easy caricatures of Judaism and Islam.
We, too, are very guilty of ignoring the commandments of God, the teachings of our Holy Bible, and the very words of the One we claim as Christ . . . and we, too, are quick to bow to the gods of power, the gods of greed, the gods of hatred, and the gods of war.
To my friends of other religions and faith traditions around the world . . . please do not judge Christianity based upon the actions of some “Christians.” Hatred, violence, power and destruction are NOT in keeping with the teachings of Jesus. Christians are commanded to love God and love everyone – no exceptions (sounds like what my Jewish and Muslim friends tell me they are commanded to do, too).
And to my Christian brothers and sisters, taught to love God and love others, I leave you with a verse from a great old southern gospel song which celebrates Jesus, but also reminds us:
Well, you can call yourself a Baptist, and not be born again
A Presbyterian or a Methodist, and still die in your sin
You can even be Charismatic, shout and dance and jump a pew
But if you hate your brother, you won't be one of the chosen few.
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