2/4/2006
Muslims are protesting across the world, enraged at a series of cartoons depicting Mohammad in a manner they find offensive. One of the most frequently mentioned examples I’ve heard of is one where Mohammad is wearing a bomb for a turban.
I won’t publish it hear for obvious reasons. It is not my intention to insult anyone of the Islamic faith. Here is the Christian principle which addresses this kind of situation:
1 Corinthians 8:9 (New International Version)
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
Though this passage refers to the behaviour of one Christian to another, I think it also is appropriate that we respect the weakness of others and how our actions can negatively effect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. In this case, of course, I’m referring to Muslims’ unfortunate tendency toward anger and violence at what seems to me to be the least provocation. Here are some sad-but-true examples from a recent protest rally in London outside the Danish Embassy:
Okay, some ignorant people chose to insult Islam. Is the answer to a small amount of ignorance REALLY violence on a global scale?
Freedom means giving others the freedom to be ignorant and answering back, not with violence, or ignorance, but with calm and reasoned explanation of why Muslims believe what they believe. This is an opportunity for winning converts, instead, they are making non-Muslims across the world think twice about what kind of religion Islam really is.
Is Islam truly “a religion of peace”? When I see such things, I have to wonder.
2 Comments
As Muslims we are required to respect all religions, be it people who are Christians, Jewish, Hindu e.tc.
So i’m really surprised at the pictures published in the newspaper, and also of their false nature. Maybe people should read about Prophet Muhummmad peace be upon him, and realise that he was a mercy to all mankind.
Attacking the prophet peace be upon him by drawing such pictures is attacking Muslims directly.
We dont draw pictures of other prophets like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, infact we respect them, and would never think to do such drawings.
Comment by be — 2/4/2006 @ 1:37 pm
I appreciate your comments. I see that your blog is set up to help educate others on the principles of Islam. I wish you had set it up so that others could leave comments for you as you leave comments for us.
And perhaps that is perfectly representative of Islam in some nations today. It is okay for us to be educated about all the wonderful aspects of Islam, but it is not considered appropriate to answer back in any way.
But in a free society, everything is challenged. I know this because I’ve lived in the US all my life and my faith as a Christian is challenged constantly in this society.
And I have no problem with that. Here is the command to all Christians:
—————
1 Peter 3:15
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…
—————
And having my faith challenged is the perfect opportunity to do just that. Are you willing to have your faith challenged? Not in a manner of having someone like Mohammad mocked, I don’t believe in doing such things, but in having someone question why you believe what you believe. Can you handle this?
Thanks again and I hope to hear from you again soon.
Regards,
David
Comment by David — 2/4/2006 @ 3:54 pm