Islam: A Religion of Peace?
At least 450 Christian families have fled the village of Sangla Hill, Nakana district in the Punjab region of Pakistan after an angry mob estimated at around 2,000 Muslims vandalized and set fire to buildings there. The Christian families have not yet returned for fear of further violence.Let's take a little worldview test, here: A good indicator of the character of a people (and a religion) is to see how conflict is handled. It's one thing to say you are a religion of peace, but if the actions don't back it up, there is a real problem with your credibility as a legitimate worldview.
In a report at www.AsiaNews.It , Qaiser Felix reports that three churches, a nuns' convent, two Catholic schools, the houses of a Protestant pastor and of a parish priest, a girls' hostel, and some Christian homes, were first vandalized and then set on fire by an angry crowd of around 2,000 people in the village of Sangla Hill, Nankana district in Punjab.
The violence took place yesterday at around 10am (local time) and was apparently motivated by an alleged case of blasphemy against the Muslim Koran. Christian News Today
For Christians, some will certainly say stupid things, but if you blaspheme the Holy Bible, we're going to pretty much leave that up to God to handle that one...we'll keep on loving you. Christians are not going to come and kill your family, burn your car, or eat your dog. We figure He's big enough to take care of Himself if He gets offended. As a matter of fact, He says as much in Deuteronomy 32:35: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
Let me make sure this is clear. The verse is not speaking directly to Islam in the context, nor am I using it as such. As Paul refers to it later in the New Testament, this verse is applicable to anyone who stands against Christ, including many who claim to be Christians but really are not (Matthew 7:21). When God says He will do something, you can take that to the bank.
This is a reason why it is so important to make sure the worldview we claim to believe in; the story that expains all of reality to us is true and once we are certain it is true, to make sure that we are actually living according to it.
UPDATE: Other reports on the story here.
Labels: David C. Price
posted by DAVID C. PRICE at 11/16/2005 07:01:00 AM
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4 Comments:
I wish I could totally agree with you, but I think "Christians" are guilty of the same kind of things (well, maybe not that violent). What about the bombings or abortion clinics in the name of Christianity (and the killing of abortion doctors)? What about the protests of the church in Kansas against homosexuality, including protesting at funerals of soldiers killed in Iraq? What about websites like godhatesfags.com and the one that Dan Kimball pointed out on his site, Vintage Faith? All of this is done in the name of Christianity. The actions aren't as violent as the outbreaks in Pakistan and other places, but the rhetoric isn't "turn the other cheek" either.
BTW, I enjoy reading your stuff. Daily.
You are right, Bruce, that there is a lot of things that occur in the name of Christianity that are not representative of Christianity as revelealed in Scripture. That, however, is the key. As I said, people often say stupid things, but our Scripture doesn't call us to either say those things or commit violent acts...as some other religions do. Furthermore, the examples you referred to fall under the category of the Matthew 7:21 passage I referenced. Not all who claim Christianity are really Christ-followers, only those who do the will of the Father (which has nothing to do with killing people who disagree with us).
I sincerely appreciate you finding this blog worthy of your time.
Well said...and your post was equally well writen. I guess I was having a knee-jerk reaction from just reading Vintage Faith and the related article by Paul Proctor. This is why I enjoy reading your blog.
B~
Thanks, Bruce.
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