Update May 1, 2011 click HERE . A Koran, a Building, Community Relations. What is the Proper Christian Response to the events of 9/11, and the subsequent fallout? That seems to be what many in this country are debating, whether they know it or not.
There is the debate about Legal versus Appropriate:
It is legal to Burn a Book, it is legal to Build a Mosque.
Many, however, feel it is not appropriate to do these things.
Why not?
The primary reason it is not appropriate to do these things is that one wants to spare the feelings of another, another who would feel pain. This "sparing" tendency is at the heart of american culture, and it came from america's religious past.
Without this moral history, who gives a fig about another's feelings?
Urine on a Crucifix was Wildly Defended ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ) as Art.
Pornographic pictures pasted on an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary : the same. (Here ).
So--
Are Christians meant to bear pain, to be tolerant, to Turn the Other Cheek?
That is, regardless of how other religions react to being mocked, or to cartoons or to criticism. are Christians meant to respond with love?
Yes.
That---according to the teachings of that Faith---is the Big Secret.
Just search the net, or ask your Christian friends. ("If someone steals your coat, give him your shirt as well...")
"They will know we are Christians by our love..." goes a song your parents or grandparents might have sung, and the point is that by putting little weight to things of the earth, and great weight to things of the spirit, and Always responding with Love, others will be moved.
including even things that are troublesome, and angering,
and heartbreaking, such as 9/11 and all it entails,
is
Love?
If so how would that manifest?
Allowing a mosque with open arms? or demanding respect?
Sending a request of Love to a florida pastor
(to bear pain without trying to incite an argument that while logical, will hurt others?)
That Christians will not respond to a bible burning or even a desecration of their most holy symbols with violence is the best proof of a loving spirit and a faith in things above men.
(And we need to get above men. when i observe how men treat women in afghanistan, in iraq, in india, in africa, in italy, in russia, in mexico, in the united states--how can one bear it?!)
You can rarely change people's minds with your perfect logic.
But the observation of a peaceful heart transforms molecules, i am convinced.
Celebrating the destruction of 9/11 was a very sad thing.
dancing in the streets
Returning
Love
for shameful pleasure in evil is
the point of Christianity, as i have studied/understood it.
please let me know if i have misunderstood it.
As president Obama said,
he hopes people will "listen to their better angels."
Where do those angels come from; how do we spread such peace?
Not by demands, anger, burnings and accusations.
How do you get Nonviolent?
How do you get love that lasts, not based on passing feelings?
What is your source of Peace?
These are the questions to ask.
There will always be strife- how will you get through it?
There is the debate about Legal versus Appropriate:
It is legal to Burn a Book, it is legal to Build a Mosque.
Many, however, feel it is not appropriate to do these things.
Why not?
The primary reason it is not appropriate to do these things is that one wants to spare the feelings of another, another who would feel pain. This "sparing" tendency is at the heart of american culture, and it came from america's religious past.
Without this moral history, who gives a fig about another's feelings?
Urine on a Crucifix was Wildly Defended ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ) as Art.
Pornographic pictures pasted on an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary : the same. (Here ).
So--
Are Christians meant to bear pain, to be tolerant, to Turn the Other Cheek?
That is, regardless of how other religions react to being mocked, or to cartoons or to criticism. are Christians meant to respond with love?
Yes.
That---according to the teachings of that Faith---is the Big Secret.
Just search the net, or ask your Christian friends. ("If someone steals your coat, give him your shirt as well...")
"They will know we are Christians by our love..." goes a song your parents or grandparents might have sung, and the point is that by putting little weight to things of the earth, and great weight to things of the spirit, and Always responding with Love, others will be moved.
( e.g., "Not one word did Jesus answer to all this.
While the nails were being driven
through His hands,
and the sweat drops of agony
were forced from His pores,
from the pale, quivering lips of the innocent
Sufferer a prayer of
pardoning love was breathed for His murderers
: "Father, forgive them;
for they know not what they do."
All heaven was gazing with profound interest
Thus, the proper Christian response to ALL things, including even things that are troublesome, and angering,
and heartbreaking, such as 9/11 and all it entails,
is
Love?
If so how would that manifest?
Allowing a mosque with open arms? or demanding respect?
Sending a request of Love to a florida pastor
(to bear pain without trying to incite an argument that while logical, will hurt others?)
That Christians will not respond to a bible burning or even a desecration of their most holy symbols with violence is the best proof of a loving spirit and a faith in things above men.
(And we need to get above men. when i observe how men treat women in afghanistan, in iraq, in india, in africa, in italy, in russia, in mexico, in the united states--how can one bear it?!)
You can rarely change people's minds with your perfect logic.
But the observation of a peaceful heart transforms molecules, i am convinced.
dancing in the streets
Returning
Love
for shameful pleasure in evil is
the point of Christianity, as i have studied/understood it.
please let me know if i have misunderstood it.
 |
| they don't know what they're doing. |
he hopes people will "listen to their better angels."
Where do those angels come from; how do we spread such peace?
Not by demands, anger, burnings and accusations.
How do you get Nonviolent?
How do you get love that lasts, not based on passing feelings?
What is your source of Peace?
These are the questions to ask.
There will always be strife- how will you get through it?
Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
