April 28, 2013:

Defending Christianity”

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven . . . It is an attribute of God himself.” — Portia’s speech in Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice”

“Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.” — Jesus of Nazareth

It’s a normal response for many of us; when we have been deeply hurt by someone we have fantasies of revenge. Fortunately, both for our “enemy” and ourselves, we usually do not act on such feelings. So I have not been surprised to hear cries for condign punishment for the remaining young man who, with his brother, (apparently) carried out the Boston marathon massacre. Though these young men were and are American citizens, there have been clumsy attempts to deny him the legal rights due to any of us. Has it come to this? As a nation shall we sink to the level of governments we deplore?

From news reports it seems that the surviving brother has said that this vicious assault on innocent people was done “in defence of Islam” This gives new ammunition to American “Islamaphobes” who see every American muslim as a terrorist in waiting. An appropriate political cartoon in USA Today shows Americans walking past each other and thinking, “Walking Fast,” “Walking Slow,” “Backpack,” “Looks foreign,” “Hat backwards,” “Large purse,” “Looks uptight,” “Looks too relaxed.” Are we in for another witch hunt like the communist scare of the 1950’s which destroyed the lives and reputations of innocent Americans?

More important to me is the misguided notion that religion is best defended by terrorism or denying justice to the terrorists. What an insult to Islam which is no more a religion of hate, injustice, and murder than Christianity. Are we going to face religious wars as in the Middle Ages and Renaissance?

It seems to me that this is a wonderful moment for us as Christians to raise our voices seeking merciful justice for this young man. What an example that would give to the rest of the world that we really are trying to practice what we preach. And wouldn’t that be a great defence of Christianity?

Love,
Dave