Friday, October 12, 2007
Please Don't Hate Islam
Chris posted a comment below that I wanted to address. He stated that he hated Islam. Although I can't control how he feels about Islam, I want to make sure that what I wrote in my last post doesn't contribute to similar feelings about Islam.
I am a Christian. I was raised by my mother to avoid the Church and anyone preaching about God. The 'Progressives' in my home town of Santa Cruz, CA, would show me examples of the 'evils' of Christianity, and how religion was only for the weak and inept. Yet, I was still drawn to it when I left home and started college in 1993. I became a Christian the summer of 1993. It was a personal choice, and one of the choices I've never regretted making in my life.
Today we are shown countless examples of the 'evils' of Islam, but just as I was shown a skewed version of Christianity, we are shown a version of Islam that is not representative of what Islam truly is. Every Muslim I have ever met is exactly like every Christian I've met. Some are young and don't practice their religion. Some are in their 20s and are more interested in watching Dance Party UAE or listening to their IPod than praying every day. Some are very devout and do their best to adhere to the Five Pillars of Islam, while others are 'holiday' Muslims and only practice during specific holidays. Some people are great family men and women. Some are 'players.' Some use their religion as an excuse to harm others. Some use it to heal others. Some use it to oppress women and non-believers, while others believe that women are sacred and put them up on a pedestal.
I could keep going all day. My point is that Muslims are exactly like Christians who are exactly like Jews who are exactly like Hindus….. we’re all the same people. We just believe in obtaining salvation differently.
We don’t confuse Christians who twist their faith to kill, enslave, oppress, or denigrate with Christians who adhere to the bible and respect humanity and themselves.
Please don’t confuse the bastards who kill women and children or bomb U.S. Soldiers with the 95% of Muslims who adhere to the Koran and respect humanity and respect themselves.
Hate is a strong word my friend. I hate the people who tried to kill us last night by firing rockets and mortars. They kept me lying on the floor of my trailer, praying to my God, hoping for another opportunity to see my family and friends again. I hate the people who fly planes into buildings, or purposely bomb as many innocent men, women, and children just to affect the primetime headlines at CNN or the New York Times. I hate those who are evil in this world.
I hate those people because of their actions, and my Muslim friends I work with daily hate those people because of their evil actions just as much as I do.
Please don’t hate a religion. Fight the people who hate a religion enough to use it for evil.
posted by El Capitan at 8:32 AM
4 Comments:
said...
Really, really good post, Tony. So sorry y'all are getting pounded. Continuing to keep y'all close in thoughts & prayers. Watch yourself!
9:58 AM
El Capitan said...
MissB,
Thanks for thinking of us out here.
Tony
said...
Tony,
Very eloquent and absolutely correct. There are countless cases in history where idiots have perverted and distorted religion for their own gain. Anyone who does that from any religion is a blasphemer of the worst type.
Since MSM insist on showing only the worst of Muslims, it does not surprise me when Al-Jazeera or any other Muslim media show only the worst of Christianity.
Aside from the good Muslim/bad Muslim-heretic, what's going on with Christianity in THIS country? Anytime you mention God, it seems that someone complains that you are mixing government with religion or trying to "force" Christianity down their throat? Stuff like the Pledge of Allegiance controversy and "In God We Trust" on our currency. Does anyone out really feel this is a coercive conversion tactic?
Tumbleweed
Melinda said...
Good post & it IS hard to keep in perspective when for every point you can make it its favor, there is a counterpoint with much more weight.
Thinking of you!