This week of 9/11 in the news, are some stories I'll reference. These stories revolve around the release (six months ago) of a minor movie that somehow portrays the "Prophet Muhammad" is a negative way, and 9/11 itself.
To start, in Libya, an American Ambassador and several staff members were attacked while in their vehicles, and were killed by gun and RPG fire. They were attempting to get to a "safe house", as the threat to the Embassy there was imminent. They were being moved by their Egyptian security forces.
Protesters in Egypt assault the American Embassy grounds and tear down the American flag, and attempted to replace it with some black flag with some kind of Arabic (?) writing on it. No one was at the Embassy compound to stop them, and what there is of an the Egyptian government didn't stop it either. Embassy compounds and property are protected, as sovereign property of the country they represent. In this case, it was United States property that was molested.
Protests and riots continue now in many countries, against America. Protests by Islamic followers, in response to the film that was produced in America.
A few years ago, there were large protests and violence resulting in deaths, after the release of a cartoon depicting the Prophet Mohammad in an unflattering way.
So, those who commit mayhem and violence, in the name of "Prophet Mohammad", to avenge (?) Mohammad, KILL other people for ANY mention, depiction, or reference of their "Prophet Mohammad", find it justified by their religion?
History is filled with violence in the name of God, or a god. Christians are certainly as much in that history as any other, but for the most part, except for the Middle East, such acts ARE history. Certainly in my life time, and in THIS country, such acts are not done, not condoned, and not acceptable by any religious organization. It is MY belief, that MY God, MY Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, does NOT need me to defend They name with violence. In fact, it is MY belief, that such acts are NOT subscribed to by MY God. It is MY belief, that MY God is strong enough to let people make up their own minds, and are free to believe or to not believe, and on the day of Judgment, He shall be the judge of our sins and the denial of Him.
I want to propose the following questions -
Is the Prophet Mohammad not strong enough to withstand any criticism?
Is the belief in the Prophet Mohammad too fragile to withstand such "assaults"?
Is the belief in Mohammad, in such a tender state, that the believers aren't strong enough in THEIR faith, to be unshaken by such assaults?
I would suggest, that the Prophet Mohammad is NOT strong enough, and his followers are not strong enough in faith, to withstand such assaults, and MY God, the God of love and mercy, is stronger than that of their Mohammad.
MY faith is also stronger, I suggest, because I have no need to kill in His name, because someone else blasphemies His name. My God will be the judge of such things on Judgment day. I am FREE to not worry about such nonsense. While I may not like to hear such things, I do not have to defend His name with violent acts. I will however, protect MY freedom to practice MY religion, MY belief, as I should freely do, as is protected by the 1st amendment. THAT I will fight for, for that is an assault on MY freedom. But assaults on God's name, or in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, is not for me to fret. MY God, is bigger than to worry about such things, even from people like Bill Mare (No mistake. Reference to him being a horses ass!), who insults Christians all the time. (DO we burn his house down for it? No!)
(A matter of point here, I would also suggest that America is a freer country for Muslims to practice Islam, without being molested for doing so. America has over 1,700 mosques, and millions of Muslims practice their religion, FREELY. Along with those, are over 3,000 Synagogues. Those Jewish followers also practice their religion, unmolested by their neighboring Muslims!)
So, who's God would YOU choose to follow? The God I believe in, is bigger than to let insults have any effect. I think it is a weak "god", or at least a weak faith, to resort to violence to protect the name of any such god.
"Lord, I pray today for you to reach out to those who would make war in the name of You, or any other god. I pray for continued strength in my faith in you, so as to not be tempted to join in such acts, that are falsely done in Your name. I pray for our leaders, of all nations and faiths, to openly condemn such violence, and appeal for peace. You know I am a sinner Lord, and I ask for your forgiveness. In the name of Jesus Christ, MY Lord and Savior. Amen."
PS. For those who know me, know that I am not a deeply "religious" person, and I do not attend organized church services. I AM a sinner. But I DO believe in God, and the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Yes, I am a "hell raiser" at times, can cuss like a drunken sailor, and carry grudges. I am weak when it comes to those things, and my shortcomings will be a big topic of discussion on MY Judgement Day!
