Christian Living

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Let me ask you a question: if I say the word "terrorist" or "terrorism," what comes to mind?  Do you think 9/11, or perhaps events related to conflicts in the Middle East?  Do words like Islam, Muslim or Arabic come to mind?  Be honest with yourself; no one can hear your thoughts except you and God.  With 2,819 lives senselessly ended during the tragic events of 9/11, by a terrorist group which claims Islam as their religion, I totally understand why this is likely amongst Americans.  I am neither excusing nor condoning biased prejudice of this sort; I simply recognize that some people may find it difficult to not improperly associate Islam with terror.

As in Christianity, there are various sects (denominations, if you will) within the Islamic faith.  Understandably, beliefs, opinions, and views range in difference from one Islamic group to the next.  If you are not familiar with Islamic beliefs aside from what you have heard discussed by those who are uneducated on the subject; well, you may find it astounding that not every Muslim is a fanatic who anticipates 72 virgins in heaven are contingent upon some suicidal terrorist act against humanity. 

Did you know that prior to 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing (killing 174, injuring over 500), was the largest terrorist attack within the borders of our nation?  Now let me ask you this: had you even considered this to be an act of terrorism?  Or was this just some horrible act of a crazy white American?  More information: Timothy McVeigh’s religious orientation was Christian Identity.  That is the religion of white separatist groups like Aryan Nations, and racist organizations like the Ku Klux Klan.  Yet, when we think of these types of people, we do not think “terrorist;” most assuredly, we do not relate them to Christianity.  Instead, thoughts of racism or fanaticism are sure to arise.  

There have been numerous terrorist acts committed in the name of Christianity, as in other religions.  What makes the Christian Identity offshoot of Christianity so different than the Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah's of Islam?  Do you see how it would be inappropriate to relate terroristic behaviors of those within the Christian Identity “religion” to our belief and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?  Imagine how outraged you might be if someone attributed your faith in Christ to acts of terror like the Oklahoma City bombing. Now imagine how Muslims must feel about this type of stereotyping they undergo on a daily basis.  Be it, murders, assaults, and property crimes against abortion clinics, or fertilizer bombs at a federal building…case in point: a terrorist can be (and has been) “Christian,” as well as “Muslim.”

Especially since the tragic events of 9/11, distrustful hearts and suspicious eyes appear to cast judgmental stares in the direction of members of Islam as prospected associates of terrorism. Since the beginning of time, mankind has managed to find a way to look down their crooked noses at that which they do not understand or are unfamiliar with.  Will we ever see a world where prejudice, hatred, and bias is eradicated?  Most likely not; nevertheless, we have the power to choose to examine the way we think.  Here is my challenge: if we see misconceptions and stereotypes which we do not like, then let us take captive our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ (as directed in His Word), encouraging others to do the same.

Islam is one of the largest world religions, second only to Christianity. According to UN statistics, the annual growth rate within Islam is approximately 6.4%, compared to Christianity’s rate of 1.46% (TDI, 2010). With Islam reported to be the fastest growing religion in the world today, wouldn’t you agree that it is time to reach out to them with the love of Christ, rather than continue to build walls within our hearts and minds? Jesus died for Muslims just as He did for everyone else. The prophet Daniel said it is wise to win souls. Let’s put a stop to improper association bias of Islam and terrorism. In exchange, let’s go to the extreme to reach out to Muslims with the love of Christ.

“If we were to wake up some morning and find that everyone was the same race, creed and color, we would find some other causes for prejudice by noon.”—George Aiken 
References

"Growth of Islam and World Religions: Loving Muslims Through Prayer | www.30-days.net." TDI. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2011. .

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