It’s Not Christian to Burn the Koran

When religious animosity goes this physical, tolerance professed by them becomes totally irrelevant.

Religion is about beliefs and how best humanity sticks to them. They guide subscribers on the way to live, they dictate how to relate with fellow believers and others, and often describe punishment for defaulters. This is what makes religions attractive.
However, even with such guidelines, most followers have failed to wholly understand them. In their pseudo-understanding they use religion to attack or vilify those who do not believe in them.

Indeed scholars of religion have said religious extremism is the source of the deadliest attacks in the world now, heightened terrorism, and increased hatred among people. Americans and certainly, everyone old enough remember September 11 2001 the day when terrorists killed thousands at World Trade Centre. The attack was organised by Islam believers (Al Qaeda) who felt it was right to kill non-believers. Christian believers ready to apply the word to the sword have exercised extremism and consequences have not been good either. The latest move by a Florida priest, Rev Terry Jones, to burn the Koran is just an expression of such intolerance which mostly bores extremism.

Tenets of Christianity call for tolerance for ‘enemies’ and most importantly, forgiveness for those who hurt or disagree with you. When someone goes against such basics in a bid to show disgust for a person of a different religion then s/he not only declares ignorance of biblical teachings but also sheer defiance against the same. Terry Jones and friends are victims of the later.

As at now it will be difficult for all to subscribe to one religion, not when most demand undivided following, neither when (some) religions prescribe enormous punishment for those who go against their rules and worse for those who convert nor when there’s utter inability by those tasked to shoulder-forward religion to convince all of its sweetness.

In view of such inefficiencies, it would be foolish on the side of those who use force or threats to woe followers and the likes of Jones seem not to get it.

Religion is all about the power to convince and sell beliefs to those on the other side. Using force to aid this is an early call to failure. So when a Christian outfit sets to express hatred by stomping on another religion they put a cold damper on Jesus Christ’s teachings. If they do it for the sake of protecting the Gospel, they are doing it in a wrong way. Christianity is anchored on an all powerful God who himself knows revenge most. He rightly avenges at the right time, for the right thing and to the right person.
If Jones and members of his Dove World Outreach Centre believe Islam is such evil and ought to be attacked then he should denounce Christianity first because in this Gospel dispensation era, forgiveness is vital towards the growth of the Church.


Just By The Way...
*Condolences to my great schoolmate, friend and neighbour Vincent Mabwai for losing your father. May God give you strength and warmth for your heart in this difficult time.