October 16, 2011:

Ponderings of a Pilgrim PASTOR

“Holy Texts — Holy Terror”

It seems to be an article of faith among many conservative Christians in Evangelical Churches and some "culture Christians" hiding out in Liberal Churches that Islam is a religion that encourages violence and Christianity is a religion of peace. Such folks base their conviction on highly selective passages taken from the Quran that — to them at least — "prove" that terrorism is part and parcel of Islamic faith. They also point to the "Love one another" verse and other carefully selected Biblical passages as proof that Christianity is opposed to terrorism and war.

Did I miss something in History 101? I seem to recall multitudes of wars undertaken in the name of Christianity or blessed by its religious leaders. The Crusades — well-remembered by Muslims — come to mind. I also recall a World War II song calling on Americans to "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition." And remember that slogan from the Vietnam War? "Kill a Commie for Christ." Have we all "gotten religion" since the 1960’s and become a nation of pacifists?

My point is a simple one: all religious groups at some point in their history have practiced violence and (usually) justified it by pointing to a verse in their sacred text. Did the impulse to violence spring from the sacred text or did it come from the impulse to violence found in all human beings? Let’s face it, we human beings are not always gentle creatures! But we also have the ability to be ashamed of ourselves. The sacred texts of all faiths can either be a corrective to violence or a justification for committing it.

For myself, I believe that the Bible, the Quran, and all the other religious texts we — the religious animals — have created have the possibility of calling forth from us the noblest, the kindest, the most peaceful, the most loving lives we are capable of. Every religious faith has examples of such saintly people. Unfortunately, we also have examples of wicked and cruel people in every faith. But please don’t blame that on the Bible or the Quran.

Love,
Pastor Dave