The Lessons of Terry Jones and Qu'ran Burning
Most people realize that not all Muslims are radical. In fact, I would say that 99.9 percent of the Muslims in the world today feel that killing other human beings is wrong. There are passages about fighting against tyranny and oppression in the Qu'ran. There are the passages that talk about jihad as well.
As many Muslims will tell you, like the Bible or the Talmud, not all stories in the Qu'ran should be taken literally. Sometimes jihad refers to the inner struggle of what it means to be human. Rising up against tyranny doesn't always have to end in violence.
Another lesson of the Terry Jones story is that Christians now know how the 99.9 percent of non-radical Muslims feel when they are stereotyped and lumped in with the likes of Osama bin Laden. What if the only representation of Christianity to a Muslim was someone who threatened to burn their holy text? What if the world's Muslims though that all Christians were like Terry Jones?
Now the stereotype becomes uncomfortable for Christians. What if Muslims pointed or jeered at Christians just because at one time an outspoken minority said that burning the Qu'ran was a good idea?
There are upwards of 750 million practicing Muslims in the world and over a billion Christians. Are we going to let outspoken minorities on both sides speak for the tenets of both religions as a whole? In times of crisis such as Terry Jones both Christians and Muslims alike need to come together, which many prominent leaders already have, and begin to realize what we have in common as a human race and learn to embrace our differences.
We've also learned that in times of crisis love and logic can overcome bigotry and ignorance. I applaud all of those moderate voices of all faiths who have stood against the tyranny of oppression by offering outreach, prayer, and love.
The next time another Terry Jones steps forward we'll be ready.
Published by William Browning - Featured Contributor in Politics, Sports and Movies
Welcome! My name is William Browning. I am an accomplished writer, in love with my beautiful wife and am blessed with two precious children who teach me something new every day. View profile
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5 Comments
Post a CommentOsama bin Laden and Terry Jones, both lost to the grip of hatred and fear.
This has been such an embarrassment, I'm shocked that the press ever even deigned to dignify Jones with giving him any coverage whatsoever. It would have been better to purposely ignore him. That said, Christians like him should remember that during the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition millions upon millions of people were killed in the name of Jesus, so... who shouldn't be casting the first stone, here!
This too is interesting, i'm doing articles on the books of the bible, researching on historical facts. I'm on my ninth book, starting from genesis. just finished Ezra.
I don't know a lot about Muslims but was under the impression they were against Christianity. our belief anyway. Huh.
As much as I do not feel Terry Jones and others like him, do not even come close to representing the Christianity that I believe in, I struggle to believe that 99.9 percent of Muslims abhor violence in the name of their religion. Having had much exposure and experience with very "average" Muslims for well over 30 years, I would take great umbrage with your statistics. I would say that far, far less than we would LIKE to believe, actually abhor the violence.
1 Peter 3:8-11 ESV Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.