January 22, 2012:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

I usually read our Chattanooga Times Free Press every day. One of my seminary teachers said that reading the local newspaper was a good way to learn what the community is thinking. The daily "Letters to the Editor" are particularly helpful in that regard. Granted that these letters are not an accurate sampling of the opinions of all Chattanoogans, still they are a good indication of the issues and concerns stirring the community.

A significant number of these letters are religious rants. That’s not surprising given Chattanooga’s large number of conservative Christians. But one recent letter in the January 14th edition took my breath away. I reprint it in full here (except for the signature):

All U.S. Military To Get Rid of Iran

"Enough is enough. Our military is in the region anyway, so why not go ahead and knock out Iran?

Its government is made up of common scum, and Israel must be protected at all cost.

God help us if the idiots do get their hands on a nuclear weapon.

I have nothing against the average Muslim, the ones who practice their religion in peace. But those radical warmongers need to go. May the Father, Son and Holy Spirit show them the true and righteous way to peace. Long and forever live Christianity."

The author, a self-declared Christian, sees no conflict between his Christian faith (not to mention the clear teachings of Jesus) and his call for a pre-emptive destruction of Iran and "the common scum" leading that country. Though he professes a certain tolerance for peaceful Muslims, he seems to believe that a holy war against "these radical warmongers" will show those who survive this holocaust "the true and righteous way to peace." "Long and forever live Christianity," indeed!

Sadly, I suspect this fellow is not unique in our area. Which leads me to wonder: where on earth did he learn this perverted form of Christianity that could sanction such hatred and violence? Are there actually preachers and churches in Chattanooga that agree with his point of view? I hope not, but I do believe that hatemongering from the pulpits of conservative churches nurtures this sort of culture Christianity. Diatribes against Muslims — peaceful or otherwise — are tantamount to yelling "Fire!" in a crowded theatre. Some weak-minded soul might just feel he has the right to translate his bigotry into action. God help us all if that happens.

Love,
Dave