In the aftermath of the events of Paris and San Bernadino, California, there has been quite the backlash against all Muslims. We now have political candidates stating that we need to "register" Muslims and block Muslims from entering the country. The fear and hate speech is out of control and based on ignorance, not the facts. A country that once said that we welcomed people is now saying we welcome only those who look, act, and believe like those in control.
So as a pastor, let me tell you why I love my Muslim brothers and sisters. First off they are not out to wage a violent, blood "holy way = jihad" against anyone. Jihad is the struggle each Muslim has, within themselves, to lead the most holy and right life. It is not about bloodshed and "killing the infidel." Any Muslim who claims to believe in a holy killing war is misguided and has been denounced by the majority of the world's Muslims. As I write this post, the Western Christian world is in the season of Lent, we time when many take on habits, temptations and other things that can cause distance in our relationship with God and others. Christians are in their own jihad, we just call it by other names.
Secondly, every time that I have worked with Muslims, gone to a mosque, or just been in the same space, I have always been treated with respect, dignity and grace. I have never been made to feel not welcomed. I have always been offered guidance, been respected and had my presence appreciated. I've often had someone offer to sit with me and show me the way. Many Muslims have answered my questions and offered me guidance and support. I have often been treated better at mosque than I have a churches.
I find that Muslims embody the same principals I try to use as guideposts in my own life. They are expected to be on both a literal and metaphorical journey to deepen and increase their faith. They are expected to give back and take care of those who have less then they do. Muslims are called to orient their lives to the worship of God, with the calls to prayer going out 5 times a day in Islamic communities. These are all things that I, as a Christian, should be building my life around - an actual living out of my faith and beliefs in the world.
When I read a translation of the Koran, it contains the same messages that I get from reading my Protestant Christian bible: love, peace, faithfulness, hospitality, service, devotion just to name a few. The wording might not be the same and the words may not be printed in red but the words of the Koran are no less than those I read in my Bible.
Because of all of these things and more I must say that I love my Muslim brothers and sisters in God/Allah (Allah is the Arabic word for God). We are striving for the same thing. We both come from traditions that have had folks go astray in their understanding and living out of faith (who remembers all of the Crusades? Jim Jones and his cult?) Muslims want to have the same religious freedom that I am granted. When I work to protect my religious freedom, I am also working for Muslims, Buddhists, Jewish, Sikh, and others religious freedom. When I say that God/Allah is so great that God/Allah can love everyone, I mean to include those who do not believe the same way that I do.
I hope and I pray that the people of the USA will learn to love their Muslim brothers and sisters just as I do. Not because it's the easiest thing to do, but because it is the right and best thing to do.
So as a pastor, let me tell you why I love my Muslim brothers and sisters. First off they are not out to wage a violent, blood "holy way = jihad" against anyone. Jihad is the struggle each Muslim has, within themselves, to lead the most holy and right life. It is not about bloodshed and "killing the infidel." Any Muslim who claims to believe in a holy killing war is misguided and has been denounced by the majority of the world's Muslims. As I write this post, the Western Christian world is in the season of Lent, we time when many take on habits, temptations and other things that can cause distance in our relationship with God and others. Christians are in their own jihad, we just call it by other names.
Secondly, every time that I have worked with Muslims, gone to a mosque, or just been in the same space, I have always been treated with respect, dignity and grace. I have never been made to feel not welcomed. I have always been offered guidance, been respected and had my presence appreciated. I've often had someone offer to sit with me and show me the way. Many Muslims have answered my questions and offered me guidance and support. I have often been treated better at mosque than I have a churches.
I find that Muslims embody the same principals I try to use as guideposts in my own life. They are expected to be on both a literal and metaphorical journey to deepen and increase their faith. They are expected to give back and take care of those who have less then they do. Muslims are called to orient their lives to the worship of God, with the calls to prayer going out 5 times a day in Islamic communities. These are all things that I, as a Christian, should be building my life around - an actual living out of my faith and beliefs in the world.
When I read a translation of the Koran, it contains the same messages that I get from reading my Protestant Christian bible: love, peace, faithfulness, hospitality, service, devotion just to name a few. The wording might not be the same and the words may not be printed in red but the words of the Koran are no less than those I read in my Bible.
Because of all of these things and more I must say that I love my Muslim brothers and sisters in God/Allah (Allah is the Arabic word for God). We are striving for the same thing. We both come from traditions that have had folks go astray in their understanding and living out of faith (who remembers all of the Crusades? Jim Jones and his cult?) Muslims want to have the same religious freedom that I am granted. When I work to protect my religious freedom, I am also working for Muslims, Buddhists, Jewish, Sikh, and others religious freedom. When I say that God/Allah is so great that God/Allah can love everyone, I mean to include those who do not believe the same way that I do.
I hope and I pray that the people of the USA will learn to love their Muslim brothers and sisters just as I do. Not because it's the easiest thing to do, but because it is the right and best thing to do.
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