Okay, so I'm not normally one to start advocating things, or making political comparisions. Honestly, I don't even talk about politics very much (to the horror of my HS Honors Government teacher). However, I believe right about... NOW is a great time to do JUST THAT. Let's do it.
We know everyone is talking heatedly about this "International Burn a Koran Day". So, let's just go there. Yes, I mentioned it... but before you decide you want to throw my blog, and me into that bonfire, just keep reading. First off, let's just spell it right. It's Qur'an. There. From now on in this blog, it will be referred to as exactly that, out of respect for other people.
I'm going to cut right to my belief: it's COMPLETELY WRONG. Now, let's talk about why I believe this. Again, before you give this entry the ol' "shut 'er down"... just keep reading. You may find that, even if you aren't religious at all, some of what I'm pointing out rings true with your own beliefs and values.
First, I'm completely incensed that this man, Mr. Terry Jones, would profess himself a follower of Christ AND propose such an ugly thing. I have to tell you, when I first saw stuff circulating on Facebook, I went to the New York Times article about the subject, and nearly vomited when I read about this man's idea of remembering 9/11. It's really just sickening. The values that Christ teaches are:
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:43-44
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
Luke 6:27-36
I know this is a lot, but stick with me. These were Jesus' very words, which we who TRULY follow Christ believe to be 100% fact and true, to people as He turned the religion of the times upside-down. This is what we believe. What does this say to me, and to you? If we are TRUE followers of Christ, then if my next-door neighbor was a practicing Muslim, and came over and asked for a piece of bread, I would invite them in and ask if they'd like to have dinner with me. It doesn't matter if we have different beliefs and religious values. They are still important in life. We as followers of Christ, TRUELY believe that God created each human being in a unique way. Each person is a unique soul. Point being: every individual is JUST LIKE US in that they are a human being, but they are UNIQUE in that they were created specifically by God. We need to love each other and treat each other with respect REGARDLESS of our personal values and beliefs. Just because people of that religious affiliation attacked this country 9 years ago DOES NOT IN ANY WAY MEAN THAT WE CAN MAKE GENERALIZATIONS ABOUT EVERYONE WHO BELONGS TO THAT RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION. Point being, Terry Jones.
So, what does ALL that have to say about Terry Jones? I don't believe he's a TRUE follower of Christ. What I am saying about TRUE followers of Christ, DOES NOT in ANY way line up with what Mr. Jones has been preaching to his congregation (click on the link with his name above for more info). If it did, he wouldn't be organizing this book burning.
Now, onto political matters. This is where things get sticky. As we have read in other articles, the president has been considering personally calling this man, there have been contemplations between government officials about stopping this sort of thing. Should the government get involved? ABSOLUTELY NOT. You heard me. ABSOLUTELY NOT. To do so would be a complete encroachment on our First Amendment rights. What would that mean for the future of American citizens? If the government steps in just one time to stop an exercise of the First Amendment right, they could continue to do so, and then we in America would be no more religiously free than those in China, North Korea, and other communist countries (yes, albeit a bit extreme... the trend could go that way). So then, if the government should not step in, then what should happen?
Terry Jones needs to re-read what Jesus is TRUELY saying about love. Mr. Jones needs to realize that, to call himself a TRUE follower of Christ, he needs to stop this book burning HIMSELF. If he were only to realize the TRUE TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST, then he would need only a minute to understand the disaster and devastation he would be causing around the globe by enacting this book burning of the Qur'an. This isn't just about making a statement, this is about people, lives, love, relationships. The Bible teaches in John 14:6 that Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through [Him]". Understanding that I can no more repent of all my sins and stop sinning in order to get to Heaven, than I can repent for breathing and stop breathing (idea taken from the book Seven Longings of the Human Heart), I must realize that Jesus made a way for me to be whole, even though I'm in a million pieces because of my sin. So, for Mr. Jones to carry out this book burning, is going to cause exactly what happened to Muslims to happen to Christians. After 9/11, the general population generalized that if 12 Muslim men could terrorize our nation, then ALL Muslims must be bad (obviously this is COMPLETELY FALSE). If this book burning occurs, then the general population will generalize that ALL Christians hate all other religions. Which, has some serious implications for those TRUE Christians that do no believe that, and TRUELY follow Christ.
So, all in all, there's my views on the current world situation. As I write this, I can't help but wonder what is going to happen in the next several days, and, if the book burning happens, what it will be like to be Christian living in America, and an American Christian living the world after it happens.
This final note is to you reading this: If you are a Christian, I seriously implore you to consider how you are living your life day to day, and what your actions are saying about you and your relationship with our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ. Please make it reflect Jesus TRUE teaching. If you are not religious, or completely against Christianity I implore you to consider that not ALL Christians share the value of some of these outspoken pastors. Consider, from a research standpoint of educating yourself, looking into what the Bible really teaches, what Jesus is really teaching, and then to remember that we aren't all perfect. We are still human beings, we are broken and messed up, and we often fall flat on our faces. Please do not hold us to the standard of Jesus. Because He was perfect, and in this lifetime, we never will be. We ask for your grace and forgiveness, and that you consider keeping an open mind with Christians. Because, like I said, not all of us agree or follow the teachings of the outspoken lunatic pastors who initiate book burnings.
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