Doing Unto Islam as We Would Have Done to Christianity
What an act of terrorism by a Christian can teach us
Flowers float on the water after being thrown by participants of a vigil walk near Utoya Island on July 26, 2011 in Sundvolden, Norway. Norwegian Anders Behring Breivik, 32, has been detained for eight weeks, four of which in full isolation, for the bomb blast and shooting massacre on July 22, 2011. A reported 76 people died in the mass killing.
(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
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What is there to be said about the mass murder of 76 people in Norway last week that hasn’t already been said in response to every other tragedy of this sort?
We are once again horrified, terrified and shaken to learn that such evil dwells in the hearts of men and can be perpetrated so easily against ordinary people, even children.
But this act of violence is different in that it has American journalists, religion scholars, and political pundits debating whether or not the confessed killer is a Christian, as he asserts (or doesn’t, depending on who you ask and what your definition of a Christian is) in the 1,500 page manifesto that some of these folks are poring over.
Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar and CNN Belief blog contributor, argued from the 9/11 terrorist attacks that Breivik is a Christian and, therefore, other Christians should denounce him.
“Osama bin Laden was a Muslim terrorist. Yes, he twisted the Quran and the Islamic tradition in directions most Muslims would not countenance. But he rooted his hate and his terrorism in that text and that tradition. So Muslims, as I have long argued, have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against Bin Laden and to look hard at the resources in their tradition that work to promote such evil,” Prothero wrote.
“If he did what he has alleged to have done, Anders Breivik is a Christian terrorist. Yes, he twisted the Christian tradition in directions most Christians would not countenance. But he rooted his hate and his terrorism in Christian thought and Christian history, particularly the history of the medieval Crusades against Muslims, and current efforts to renew that clash. So Christians have a responsibility to speak out forcefully against him, and to look hard at the resources in the Christian tradition that can be used to such murderous ends,” he thus concluded.
From the diverse quotes I’ve read from Breivik’s manifesto, I don’t believe he is a Christian, but I agree that Christians, like all morally responsible people, must denounce him, and I do.
It seems such an obvious thing, almost unnecessary, and yet, Muslim Americans have been asked repeatedly by their countrymen to denounce terrorism done in the name of the faith they hold dear.
What Prothero fails to consider is cultural context. Most Americans grew up in communities that were steeped in at least nominally Christian frameworks. Many had little or no exposure to Islam prior to 9/11/2001. Some did not know enough about the religion to judge whether or not it taught jihad, or what that meant. The word, like the actions of the terrorists, frightened them.
There was a chasm of ignorance and distrust that had to be overcome, and which, to some degree has been overcome, that is not a hurdle for many here in the United States in declaring that the Norwegian terrorist is diabolically deluded to assert that his actions are are a reflection of the Christian faith.
But we are not alone in our distrust.
A new Global Attitudes Survey conducted by the Pew Research Center affirms a mutual distrust between predominantly Muslim countries and Western ones. It indicates that nearly a decade after 9/11/2001, tensions remain high between these communities, although majorities in both expressed concern about Islamic extremism.
Perhaps the most shocking discovery to those of us who were personally touched by the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks is that more than 70 percent of respondents in predominantly Muslim nations still do not believe that Arabs committed the attacks.
That’s a huge emotional obstacle to overcome.
“Muslim and Western publics continue to see relations between them as generally bad, with both sides holding negative stereotypes of the other. Many in the West see Muslims as fanatical and violent, while few say Muslims are tolerant or respectful of women. Meanwhile, Muslims in the Middle East and Asia generally see Westerners as selfish, immoral and greedy — as well as violent and fanatical,” the report summary said.
I don’t generally cotton to the idea great tragedies are redeemed by the good that sometimes emerges from them, because the harm is always at least equal to, and is sometimes greater than the good. But I pray one good that comes out of the Norwegian tragedy is the opposite of what Breivik intended.
I pray his co-opting of the Christian faith for evil causes Christians to exercise considerably more restraint in talking about Islam and the roots of Islamic terrorism. I pray, in fact, that we’ll go the extra mile and resist those who do otherwise.
Spencer Fields
10:56 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Sad that we seem to need to label everything. My observations have been that mankind tends toward self righteousness when it comes to individual opinion, fearful of that which they do not know, and resentful of those who have what they do not. Opposition to individuals in any of these areas usually results in either a fight or flight response. Some show restraint and others do not. From the secular point of view, there are as many interpretations of what is right as there are people. Should one disagree with the other, the other is wrong, and should in some way corrected. Unfortunately, this often breeds hatred, and sometimes with violent results. Hiding behind wrappers and labels like Christianity or Islam or anything else only serves to justify actions for others, but serves no real end. Evil is evil regardless the perpetrator. Regardless of the label, a Christian is a Christian if he follows the teachings of Christ, just as a Muslim is a Muslim if he follows the teachings of Mohammed. I have yet to see that Christ sanctioned killing of those with a different position than He had. Should we be decrying this murderer as outrageous because he was NOT a Christian, which only serves to bolster and protect one's own comfort level that Christians are good, instead of decrying evil in all its forms? Aren't we playing to our own fears and insecurities to worry about the associations? I wonder. Spencer Fields.
want2say
12:31 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
right on!
T.L. Winslow
11:43 am on Thursday, July 28, 2011
http://frontpagemag.com/2011/07/28/when-is-an-ideology-responsible-for-murder/
http://sultanknish.blogspot.com/2011/07/clash-of-histories.html
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.10039/pub_detail.asp
Carl Wilton
1:16 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
A thoughtful and wise response, Christine. Breivic obviously believes he's a Christian, so those of us who realize his hate-filled theology is sinful (which is an assessment harsher than the merely heretical) need to say so. It's the least we can do for our Muslim neighbors, who have suffered far too long from the judgment of sinful Christians who hate them prejudicially.
Christine A. Scheller
3:02 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Well said, Rev. Wilton. Blessings to you.~
want2say
12:38 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
From what I read, it is not obvious he is a Christian. There seem to be two stories going on that one. Now, concerning what he did being sin? Yes, he did commit a major sin. As to judgement? Only God can read hearts and judge truely. Is there prejudice and hatred? Yes, but it runs both ways. Many of our muslim neighbors hate us just as much (or more from the terrorist act ratio) than they are hated by some. Should we resort to behaving as terrorists as well? Of course not. Apologize? Perhaps. Have we received any apologies for all the atrocities bestowed on us???
skizma
6:40 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Well, unfortunately the countries at war with each other and within each other are the problem. And, possibly the style of living, being so drastically different, causes such distain. The Islam faith stretches into how the government should be run as well. This will not and does not go over big in a non muslim societly. Can the Muslims coexist in a non muslim run state? The question is especially, is, should it be expected that the country of origin change to suit the muslims? Conflicts are created and fear is cultivated in those situations. If muslimism can survive on it's own, in a non mulsim country, fine. I for one have no knowledge of that. I know the muslims distain for the US, yet they come here? Why? The big suspicion is to make us them. So, without clear expectations and understanding, without expecting others to change to suite each other, than you will have conflict and hugh misunderstanding. Boundaries have to be set up for all to be comfortable. I often see tolerance mistaken. To be tolerant does not mean you have to change the society to suit the different. The question is, can those who are different, survive being different? Or will they expect our tolerance to mean, we'll change?
want2say
12:31 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
so true! we are supposed to tolerate those that hate us, yet people in this country are beginning to not tolderate Christianity. Take down the manger scenes in public places, no crosses, no ten Commandments, etc etc. tolerance smolerance!
patricia small
10:08 am on Friday, July 29, 2011
How can we judge this man when we are clueless to what Islam is doing to the European culture? I want to live under the constitution, not sharia law, and they are incompatible.
Christine A. Scheller
1:08 pm on Friday, July 29, 2011
If we can't judge mass murder, we're in deep, deep trouble.
want2say
12:26 am on Saturday, July 30, 2011
Americans are not told what is happening in Europe. It is not good. Of course, the man was wrong in what he did, absolutely, BUT can you not imagine his frustration in seeing the changes taking place in his beloved country??? (No, I am not saying that what he did was the correct thing to do.) We do nothing but tolerate and before you know it, not only will everything Christian be abolished from the uncomfortable athiest eye, but everything muslim will be taking over. Taking over IS their goal.
Sorry Christine, but it is true.
vincent vega
7:52 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
tp you might have to try other sources than fox new (the second biggest stockholder of which is a saudi prince who believes in sharia law. funny i never hear it mentioned much over there) this nut in norway trolled right wing websites . anti islamic ones . ones about "the european genocide" and his manifesto was inspired by "the knights templar" and the crusades( you can grab a history book or rent a toms hanks movie to find out what that is all about.
want2say
2:31 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
I picked up and read the old old encyclopedia my Mom still has and looked up the Crusades. They were Christians trying to fight BACK and protect our rights and our people. The muslims were taking over and holding Jerusalem and killing anyone who got in their way. Most of the crusaders were killed by the muslims too, btw.
vincent vega
7:57 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
btw timmy the right wing media got the story completely wrong that day the ny post and fox news were reporting this was an islamic terrorist. the ny post that day running the story that he was an anti islamic terrorist and in the very same paper the editorial said he was an islamic terrorist.timmy there will never be sharia law in this country but keep on rolling the race baiting tapes they should get a few people riled up. yes everyone knows what happens under sharia law in afghanistan and pakistan i think you can give you tube a rest now.
vincent vega
8:00 pm on Saturday, July 30, 2011
btw timmy i see you still posting under two names on the same thread. is it to convince everyone that two people have your opinion? either way its an interesting disorder have you ever seen anybody about it?"tp" tell the good people here about agenda 21.
want2say
1:07 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
OMG, I just googles agenda 21 to see if i could find out what you are talking about, again, I say, OMG.
If it is true, and from what I saw and read, we, The People, are in great trouble. (this is nothing to do with the above article but about the NWO -- New World Order. God Help Us!!!
want2say
1:09 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
oops, typo, i just googleD agenda 21...
patricia small
9:15 am on Sunday, July 31, 2011
Islamic destruction and conquest of the U.S. enables the agenda of NWO. Anything that speeds our demise helps the NWO.
want2say
2:35 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
We, The People have to stand together. We can not let extremest political bs divide us. From what i have read above, there is some real hatred going on. Shame shame vv
Sean Conneamhe
2:47 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
True Christians do not kill people.
True Muslims do not kill people.
We are all Children of God.
Killing results from ignorance of the Truth.
want2say
2:58 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
True, true, true and true. Amen.
patricia small
10:04 am on Monday, August 1, 2011
Are you saying that NOONE in the armed forces fighting to protect their homeland is a true Christian? Sometimes killing is necessary, as in self defense, where it is also legal. Stoning of young girls ACCUSED of adultery is ok with Islamic countries.
vincent vega
5:19 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
want2say agenda 21 is sheer lunacy. some people must have seen too many planet of the apes movies or mel gibson in the road warrior flicks to actually believe we will be herded into camps, our homes seized from eminent domain (like they are using on a senior citizen's home in lacey township) that you will be told what job to have,and the constitution will be abolished. and in 80s when many people worried that maybe a powerful country like russia could enslave us like that now who are the scary oppressors according to agenda 21? why of course the evil enviormentalists and their mighty army of armor plated elephants etc.. no one will ever abolish our constitution want2say
want2say
10:57 pm on Sunday, July 31, 2011
i sure hope you are right about no one will ever abolish our constitution! Many of us are concerned about too much gov't control, and what i read about A21 was more like us losing our freedoms. but, looking at it again, i see what you are saying about the environmental part. Peace.
Sean Conneamhe
12:45 pm on Monday, August 1, 2011
Killing people is never necessary, or right.
What you do to another, you do to yourself.
Killing is a result of ignorance.