"Don't Christian Beliefs Matter to Christians?"
Monday, February 5, 2007
A reader writes in response to my post "Does Jesus Love Osama?" If the critics of the "Jesus Loves Osama" signs actually did concede that this is probably true according to Christian beliefs, that's the clincher. End of argument, right? Or, don't Christian beliefs really matter to Christians? Well, some of us have been noticing that for some centuries, what was central for Jesus has been marginalized at best and anathematized at worst by Christendom--I speak of his teaching, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." It really is time for Christians to embrace what Jesus embraced, or quite dragging his name around in their violence and hate compromised wake. When Jesus said he came not to bring peace but a sword, he meant that his teachings were going to present truths which pierce the soul and divide those who accept his truths from those who do not. That's a division which can always be crossed in either direction, but it is a very meaningful division.
Labels: Christianity, Islam
Posted by B Feiler at 7:00 AM
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Jesus didn't know Osama. He said blessed are those who will believe who have not seen me but nothing about loving those you have not known or seen.
This has been a tough issue for me, particularly over the past few years. Patriotism has been so closely aligned with unquestioning allegiance to the party line and vitrolic language (see the incredible backlash against the singing group the Dixie Chicks and others), and much of this coming from individuals closely aligned with Christianity.
I felt ashamed of so much of what was said by these leaders, and I often wondered if Jesus continues to weep over the hate associated with His name.
Luke 6:27 states that we are to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," but I recognize that this is seen as naive and idealistic by many.
Nevertheless, my belief in pursuing peace through love, even pacifism, continues to grow. I know that pursuing peace is a much harder sell than creating in-groups and leading with emotional language that incites fierce loyalty, and pursuing peace takes time. Still, I have to believe that there is a better way, one in which love is amotivating factor, not hatred and derision.