In my own prayers for peace of mind concerning the Muslim community’s desire to build a mosque near ground zero in New York City, I can’t help but be reminded of Paul’s words
“There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Apostle Paul
The debate certainly is an occasion to put Christ’s teachings into practice, see the good in one another, gain a better understanding of each other’s true individuality in the likeness of divine Love and build bridges for a stronger future of mutual cooperation, love and appreciation for what each party involved in the debate has to contribute to the good of the world.
Hi, I like stopping by to visit your website and most of the ideas offered here are helpful and amiable. And I agree: it is a good opportunity to practise Christly qualities regarding mosques in Western countries – but we also find in the Bible this: … be wise as serpents and harmless as doves…
Qur’an 9:30 says: “And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!” – Until these grave misunderstandings are not uncovered, but rather believed in by Muslims, Western Christian culture ought to beware and wise!
Franka – I don’t understand your quote from the Qur’an. I’ve read & re-read it. Can you please re-explain it so that I can understand it better? Who are they asking Allah to destroy? Those who don’t believe their prophet was born of Allah? I am very confused.
Jodi, what it is saying is, “Christians say: the Messiah is the son of [God]…they immitate the sayings of those who disbelieved before; may [God] detroy them (i.e. Christians).” That is the reason for being wise as serpents.
Yes, we are to overcome hate with love, but Jesus himself called those that threatened the true believers (in those days, the Pharisees) vipers. Sometimes honest confrontation is the highest form of love. When people with destructive motives are confronted with the truth, they have an opportunity to reform.
I am grateful for Evan’s reminder to consider Paul’s teaching that we are all one in Christ because we are all the individual manifestation of God. However, Mrs. Eddy makes a potent discernment in this statement found in Science and Health on page 94: “The eastern empires and nations owe their false government to the misconceptions of Deity there prevalent. Tyranny, intolerance, and bloodshed, wherever found, arise from the belief that the infinite is formed after the pattern of mortal personality, passion, and impulse.” We understand that ‘the infinite’ is actually patterned after God’s divine nature and character not mortal man’s concept. As I pray I am grateful to affirm and cherish the infinite omnipresence of God, good who IS all in all right now. Mrs. Eddy also states, “….that wisdom in human action begins with what is nearest right under the circumstances…” Misc. Writings pg. 288:13. To me this means to affirm the truth of God and man and do what is right, love my neighbor as myself…. Leah E.
I was just reading last evening in Misc. Writings p.124:8 Mrs. Eddy’s thoughts on ‘Moslems’as having the wrong idea of Deity. Although we are to love those with differing religious and medical beliefs, I, too, believe we should be ‘as wise as serpents’–and handle this hatred of the Christ, Truth however it appears, and not be fooled into apathy or sympathy with the opposition. We need to hold onto Christ, ‘the true idea of God voicing good to the human consciousness (S & H p. 310)and pray for that voice to be heard by everyone.
I have Muslim friends and they certainly don’t have “destructive motives” nor are they hateful in any way. I hope we are not narrow-minded to judge and condemn a religion or the people who believe in it because of a few. Christianity is not untainted either by people who have misused its teachings.
Love conquers all, and hate or prejudice of any sort has no place.
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I, too, like how Evan brings this back to Jesus’ mission of love of (not fear of) one another. I know I can appreciate a peaceful Muslim practicing his faith just as much as a peaceful Jew and so on. We share in a brotherhood of love with our fellow man. Evil can try to attach itself to an honest Christian just as much as it can to an honest Muslim. It’s this evil that needs to be eradicated, not one religion over another.
You may be surprised to know that many Muslims are against building the mosque near ground zero. It is clearly provocotive and is increasing the negative view of Islam by many people who are offended by the location. If they want peace and good will, this is not the way to go about it.
Please note also, Christianity is outlawed in many Muslim countries.. they want ‘tolerance’ but will not give it themselves.
As many Christians are persecuted and killed in Islamic countries, is tolerance of that what God wants? Christ stood against false doctrines and persecution of the saints. Should we do less? I am not saying we should respond in kind… but rather be awake and alert if your home is being entered by a stranger with unclear motives. We would be foollish to assume those motives are always good.