I think it is Ironic that...
Jesus is the "standard" of Christianity, and he said:
"Pray for those who persecute you"
"If someone takes your cloak, give him your robe also"
"Forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven"
"The standard by which you judge, you will be judged"
"I have come this you might have life and have it abundantly"
"Love your enemies and do good to those who hate you"
"Give to everyone who asks of you"
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"
How does the leadership of this country (now) and this religion (in the Crusades) decide to kill thousands/millions of Muslims after reading the above?
I think what we are doing is dishonest and politically motivated, to give oil companies even more power, to raise the price of oil and profits of Bush's consituency. And Bush carries most of conservative Christianity along with it.
Preachers in America have been muzzled because, if they speak out on political issues, the church loses it's tax exempt status. That's why we don't have a modern Martin Luther King, Jr.
I see just as much dishonesty in Kerry's constituency.
And with so much cheating, duplicity, and selfishness in our society, God is about to "judge" our country with hard times. I fear it because I really do care about people, and all I can do is prepare and tell you to. But, if you will live out Jesus' words above, society will turn around, we will help each other, even people like Ross, Ray Careaga, and Asthon that I don't care so much for. Jesus didn't tell us to help people we like, he told us to help people who treat us badly, too. And most Christians don't have a clue about that.
I apologize, because Jesus doesn't want me to hate Muslims, but because of what they have done at 9/11 and because they continue to desire the deaths of all Christians and Jews, I often feel (even reading these words from Jesus) that the only option is to "kill them all". But that truly is wrong, and I am sorry. I let my rage out here, because it isn't "appropriate" to express that kind of rage in my home. My 8 year old son doesn't need to hear the anger expressed here, I don't want him to learn it. And yet it boils my blood to hear of "indoctrination camps" where Muslims are systematically trained to hate Christians and Americans with a great zeal. And I really get set off when innocent people are beheaded. It makes me want to take up arms.
A Christian friend told me that the ONLY way to convert a Muslim is to do exactly what Jesus said, "Do good to those who hate you", because it doesn't make sense in their religion. "Why should you "do good" to me when I want to destroy you" is the common response. But then it makes them question why they do the things they do.
I hope this helps you understand my postings somewhat. I want to aspire to the ideals of Jesus and live HIS way. But my anger drives me to hate Muslims because of what they do. I wish they could read and follow the words above, just once. Is there ANYTHING like Jesus' words in the Queran? Is there some way that people like Bin Laden can be discredited by the moderate clerics in the religion? Are there words that I could give to Muslims that would cause all of us to move towards peace? I fear that there are not. But maybe I should read the Queran and find out for myself.
Glen Austin
