However, even in my laxidaisicalness, I have heard of some goings-on. And what better way is there to commentate on something than ignorance? (see most of your friends political Facebook status updates)
Apparently some "christian" organizations/people have decided to burn the Qur'an as a statement for...something. I heard a radio clip of a pastor saying that people groups in & outside of America burn the flag & burn Bibles so why shouldn't "christians" be allowed to burn the Qur'an? Sure it's an argument, but it's about as flimsy as a bikini on Pamela Anderson - it's there, but it doesn't really do anything.
Now I don't know who these pastors/organizations are (I"m lazy, remember?) but I'd like to leave them with a word from the Bible (which I have to assume they aren't reading much of right now):
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor...Bless those who persecute you; bless & do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12.9-10, 14-19, & 21)
This is Paul's message to the Roman churches. He was exhorting them to do these things - these things that Jesus taught His followers to do. It may just be me, but burning someone else's sacred book doesn't fit in well with this (or any other New Testament exhortation).
So in the spirit of Talk Thursday, the day we talk about things, let's rap*. If you're a believer in Jesus, what do you think Jesus would do? (oh! Hey 1995!) If you're not a believer in Jesus, do this seem representative of the Jesus you've heard about? And if you can answer this, please do: why are people ^#*@&&%@) crazy?
*If you're going to be pourin' some Haterade on people in the comments be forewarned - I will delete it. I have that right (considering this is my blog). This includes hating on both misguided fundies & the Muslim community. Open discussion does not equal open hostility. Thanks!
6 comments:
Sarah, those are some good thoughts. I recently wrote about some of my political views on my blog and how they were formed. I feel that many people, like yourself, become apathetic towards politics because we see that current political systems fail in comparison to what they could be or should be.
From a biblical standpoint, you are spot on. A true Christ follower would be very misguided to join the book burning.
From a political standpoint, these misguided groups do have the legal right to burn whatever book they choose. What's with the huge political (not religious) backlash against these people for exercising free speech? I know why I think it's stupid; but why should political media care so much? Seems the biggest reason I've heard is that it will incite violence. Let's be honest and admit who would truly be at fault for the violence: the peaceful, albeit harsh, protesters? Or those who violently retaliate? (and I'm not simply creating a "straw man" here. I'm referring to the hypothetical violence I hear from political arguments against the Quran burning)
I don't think it's fair to blame the "political media" for caring about this. I don't think it's a political backlash either. The media is covering an issue that blurs the line between politics and religion.
Religion and politics are simply not black and white. To call something purely political and not religious, when it's involving religious material (Koran), makes the matter religious.
And everytime we try to make the matter black and white (separation of church and state) there are religous reasons to a political argument.
religous = religious
I'm probably even more apathetic than you are, sister, so I have neither heard anything about this nor do I have anthing to comment.
But I love you and think you're pretty.
(That is the opposite of Haterade. It's Complimentarade) ;)
I think I agree w/ Sara on this one. I see your point Bob, and absolutely, from a legal/political standpoint, people have the right to burn anything they want. However, I feel like these pastors are using their decision to burn the Qur'an (or if it were any other religion's sacred material) to deliberately blur the line. Inciting violence aside, it is simply a demonstration of hatred in a religio-political arena. To my (again non-informed) mind, it seems as though these pastors & organizations are looking for ways to create tension. Whether violence is perpetrated or not, they're lighting both the proverbial & literal fire of discord. Which will always invite both the religious & the political media.
And Heather, thanks for the Complimentarade. You're pretty too. It must be a Lewis thing. =)
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