Small Minority?

Submitted by Allen Bessanson (United States), Mar 31, 2006 at 12:08

I apologize for offending to peaceful folks. I confess that I have been disturbed about the recent violence arounf the world over the insulting cartoons depicting Mohammed. 9/11 caused many of us to focus, ponder and react. It is often difficult in a limited space to express thoughts and views effectively.

On the other hand, truth will offend folks sometimes.

One truth is that Mankind can know God's Law! Only God knows everything, but the Law and the Prophets are summed up by this statement "Do unto others what you would have them do to you". (Mt 7:12). Thats a truth that the world could greatly benefit.

We can have a relationship with God! That is the biggest difference between us: Religion - follow rules; Relationship - know God. That's why religions are ultimately empty. Muslims, Christians or anyone who just follow the rules miss God. God wants relationship with us, that is our ultimate purpose. With relationship comes the assurance that we can be changed, and be with Him. He is our Father.

I observe that following the rules, good or bad ones, can have very positive, or negative consequences. It's up to the interpretation of the rules and how far one will go to enforce them. You agree that Radical Muslims who spread terror and death wish to place the world under Sharia Law are in the negative catagory.

God's Laws were given to us to show us that we can't meet His standard by human effort, the Laws expose our sin. That's why we all need the Saviour, Jesus Christ. His perfect life and horrible death satisfied God's standard and paid the price for our redemption. His ressurection gave us hope of eternity with Him. He lives and so can we.

The true Martyrs follow and followed Christs example, the opposite of what we see from the suicide killers around the world. How awful it must be now for those who were told the lie that God would reward them after carrying and detonating a bomb onto a bus or other place to kill infidels. No provocation could justify these acts. Same with the violence over the cartoons. We've learned this in the matter of flag burning and artists putting crosses into urine. The flag isn't offended because people burn it, If your God or you cannot tolerate someone making or mocking an image, that is weak. What the flag stands for cannot be offended by burning it, neither will God by having someone draw a cartoon or place a symbol in urine. People are offended. As for the individuals who do these things and their motives, we may not like them and we may get angry, but we don't kill them for these violations.

As for the widespread claim of only 3% radicals, it would be interesting to take a poll among the people throughout the 70+ Islamic Nations (from the Muslims Internet directory) and ask if they were happy when hearing of or watching the attacks on 9/11/2001. I can only pray that the press accounts and footage of huge celebrations throughout the Islamic Nations were an aberration.

America is an easy target for critics. The country and people who chose to oppose terror and tyranny many times in many places, with the good and bad of a pluralistic society of all races and cultures. No one would contend that America is free from many serious problems, but America, it's policies and ways are better than any earthly alternative.

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