Photo credit: A Common Word
Yesterday, the
"If Muslims and Christians are not at peace,” the letter observes, “then the world cannot be at peace.”
Very true.
One sentence later, we have this: “With the terrible weaponry of the modern world… no side can unilaterally win a conflict."
Also true, but that won’t stop the fanatics from wanting to try. But let’s return to this point in a moment; for now, let’s simply talk about the fact that a single letter, written as a single voice, was dispatched to the Christian community… with rumors that this same cabal is planning on writing letters to other groups as well. Whatever else it may be, this letter is certainly an invite to talk.
Will it do any good?
Quite simply, it depends on who gets together to do the talking. We’ve all had experiences with pathologically irrational people who are incapable of true discussion, and there isn’t a subject on Earth which brings these types to the surface more quickly than religion. It isn’t like ice cream, where an assorted crowd of sugarholics can feel comfortable ordering vanilla, chocolate, or Cherry Garcia without worrying that they’ll be put to death over a matter of taste.
Let’s not even talk about peace yet. There are people who define “peace” as “submission to Allah’s will,” or the “conversion of the world to Jesus by any means necessary” as the Requerimiento and papal bulls throughout history endorsed. Let’s just limit ourselves to open dialogue between religious crowds, something which "A Common Word," and the Vatican's three-day meeting, purports to spearhead. And the question must be posed, does everyone want that?
In a word, no.
The torches-and-pitchforks crowd of both religions want an excuse to destroy, pillage, covert by force, and exploit. In scientific terms, these are the reptilian-brainers, governed by fanatical ritual and the lowest human emotions of hate and fear. Yet these people don’t speak for the majority of the world. Global society is in mid-evolution, taking to heart Enlightenment ideals that first spawned the
A nation founded not on monarchy or theocracy, but on a secular Constitution, and
A nation which values liberty protected by that Constitution.
Global society is outgrowing its medieval adolescence, and has come to accept progressive values of which freedom belongs, of which plurality is kin, of which an informed republic is possible. Information and knowledge, and the power both put in our hands, is the resource of a new enlightenment.
Honest dialogue, then, between Christian and Jew and Muslim is only possible if the fanatics are removed from the room. Forcibly. And if necessary, violently. You can’t talk peace with someone wearing a C-4 cummerbund. You don’t offer such a person an olive branch – you shoot him. And the same goes for the bloodthirsty apocalyptophiles who try systematically to remake
Some in the Muslim world seek to engage in enlightened dialogue? Then they must condemn, root out, and destroy the fanatics in their midst.
The Christian world seeks to participate? Then it must condemn, root out, and destroy their own fanatics. Christian leaders who readily distance themselves from the
Quite simply, humanity has always been able to choose, collectively, where it goes. We could have stayed in the trees and caves, but we ventured out and made ourselves masters of the world. We could have allowed ourselves to be prey to every whim of disease, and instead we ardently develop medicine.
Even as scientists churn out these cures, some people shun “secular” discoveries and demand we simply appeal to God. We read these stories in newspapers all the time: Another diabetic child killed by fanatic parents who chose prayer over insulin. Such people are “crazies,” we say. They don’t represent Christianity in general.
Muslims have told me, too, that suicide-bombers don’t represent Islam in general either. They are a grotesque minority, I’m told. Osama Bin Laden doesn’t speak for Islam.
Fine, I reply. Then as a majority, start doing some house-cleaning. They must begin to introduce the progressive values of individual liberty, pluralism, and a secular state that, while granting religious freedom, does not condemn people to die for blasphemy.
And that’s just it. In progressive civilization you have the freedom to believe what you will… just not always the freedom to practice those beliefs. If you believe in the End Times or Ragnarok, you’re free to believe that; you’re not free to push for war based on Biblical or Koranic upsells. You can believe in Adam and Eve or that the world is stacked on the backs of infinite turtles, but you are not free to impose this view on science classrooms. You are free to believe that women should cover themselves with a burqa, but you are not free to force a woman to do so.
Religious freedom offends fundamentalists. Freedom of any sort offends fundamentalists.
The Islamic world has largely been an immense affront to progressive civilization, but that wasn’t always the case. In the 1100s, it was the brightest point of intellectual inquiry since the fall of the classical world. What happened? The fundamentalists took over. They grabbed the reins of their society and derailed themselves into a violent, brutal, backwards era.
Quite simply, if the Vatican and other Christian leaders, together with Muslim clerics and leaders, wish to communicate in the 21st century, they must both step out of their sandboxes and grow up. "A Common Word" appears to be heartfelt and genuine, and if I don’t care for its “there’s only One God” tone, I certainly am willing to salute its single voice from the divisive Islamic crowd, and wonder if this is a first step for true dialogue. It's possible that a first letter rife with too many progressive values would have been rejected out of hand at this stage.
Speculation aside, the letter is here.
It should be answered by the rational, and should be the next step toward a new age of rationality.
For more articles by Brian Trent, you can check out http://www.populistamerica.com/brian_trent. For
Comments
Jesus made it clear that He is the Only Way and Proved it. He said that the world hated him before it hated you Born Again Christians). He is the Only Truth and His Word, Life, and Resurrection will never be proven wrong. He is coming soon also. All His warnings are here and His Children are Ready in Spirit and Truth. Jesus came to divide all who seek the True God in Christ. Be ready. It is happening. The world who rejects Jesus will be Judged soon enough and God has been very Patient.
Well, what can I say Mr. Trent? Do you know that it was by the gace of the protestant Christian Religion, faith in Scripure alone, faith in in the message of our Lord Jesus Christ, that the Western World could conceive such fantastic concepts such as freedom, liberty and life for all. Remember, when James Dobson speaks he is definitely not declaring some form of jihad; he is simply guiding believers in dividing the word of truth correctly. But hey, who knows maybe someday very soon youwon't have to hear of any of us any more. Either our Lord will remove us (the irritant) from your midst, or like you yourself, the moderate liberal, progressive superhuman said, you guys could stick together and violently remove us from society. Scoffers, and anti- Christ have been at it for quite some time now. You're not really contributing anything that's new or wonderful. Repent of your sins, and Christ will save you! Oops, I did it again, but really take heed, the words are true God is gracious and longsuffering and does not want to see anybody lost...
Marc,
Gotta brush up on your history there. The western world conceived of liberty and democracy because of the ancient Greeks (look up Pericles.) It was this idea that Enlightenment writers and thinkers seized upon, and they divorced themselves from the 1,000 years of church-dominated governments. There was very little that was "wonderful" during that time period, when
"spectral evidence" could convict and the power of the clergy was absolute. The US Constitution was founded upon Enlightenment ideals, and rejected blind faith in favor of rationality. You have a very poor understanding of your own government, and alas, you help make my point in the article. Discussion is not possible with those who are blindly convinced that God has taken their side like a gambler at a horse race.
If you truly want to live in a nation governed by religion, Iran is just a plane-trip away.
Marc and Brian,
God bless! Thanks for holding the line of ultimate clear thinking. You both are absolutely correct, and just as sure as His Resurrection from the grave, He will come again - not as a baby, but as the Lord of every man and woman. When the Author walks onto the stage, the play is over, the time for choosing is also over. When the whole natural universe melts away like a dream and something else, something that never entered your mind to conceive, comes crashing in - it will be too late to 'decide.' The people of the world are making that decision this very hour.
Every knee will bow and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Brian, you'd also be wise to brush up - on what you're banking eternity on. For it is not humanity in the abstract which is to be saved, but you, the individual reader.
We have our citizenship in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there.
God bless, and pray for President Obama!
Hey Brian-
Christians do not promote hatred and they do not kill people for their religious beliefs. We are also not trying to push our beliefs on anyone, we just want the freedom to not have others (government)force their beliefs upon us.
Remember...it's supposed to be freedom OF religion, not freedom FROM religion. But, it's too late for that now.
Brian,
Search your heart, my friend. You are being deceived. God created you and He loves you. If we all morph our beliefs together, than we believe in nothing. It doesn't work that way. True peace will not happen until the Lord brings peace. I hope you remember these words when that day comes...and...I hope it's not too late for you my friend.
Hi Brian,
I just wanted to say that you're right about one thing...nobody should FORCE anyone else to do anything they don't WANT to do. That's why I don't like my child being forced to study Darwinism in my public school. And, it's also why you should be thankful that God is a true gentlemen who would never force you to love Him...He leaves that up to you. We are the ones who are persecuted...but it's ok. We know what lies ahead and we are ready. I sincerely pray that you see the Truth before it's too late. Jesus died for you, whether you believe it or not. Best wishes...and God bless.
Isn't it incredible how all Mr. Trent did was suggest that people be rational when discussing religion, and the crazies are pouring out of the wood-work? I believe in God too, but that doesn't make me blind to the evils that men do in God's name.
Jen, sorry to be the one to tell you, but Christians have killed people because of religion. Are you too young to remember the constant murdering in Ireland between Catholics and Protestants? Please.
Whatever. Do you want Muslims to rule the world? Is that what your saying? You should try reading your Bible (oops, don't have one do you?) The Bible said there would be war with the Middle East and surrpise its here. My fellow 'Americans' voted against having a Christian leader. Gays are promoted as a healthy lifestyle. Schools teach that we came from monkeys. Millions of children are aborted every year. Could we do anything else to lose?
Rex you didn't even read the article. America needs to start deporting trolls like you.
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