To think that last week we were talking about polarizing red cups and football uniforms is a little embarrassing today. Witnessing the horror in the streets of Paris wakes us up.
I think it’s vital that what happened is not watered down in any way. I think it is equally vital that relevant facts are not omitted due to motivations of political correctness, sensitivity, etc. If we will not acknowledge who, what, and why it happened, then we will not wrestle with this well…
At least 129 innocent people died at the hands of evil, Islamic terrorists; over 300 more were injured. Sorry to be so blunt; these men were motivated by evil. As one man I’ve long respected said, “Oh, how deceived you are, to think that you can pave your way to paradise with blood from ‘infidels.’ ” Let us continue by being more blunt, no less…
Some say Islam is a religion of peace. Others claim it to be a religion of violence. Both are actually true.
There are two very different aspects to Islam. The early chapters (or “suras”) of the Qur’an — the compilation of Muhammad’s teachings after his death — are more about peace; whereas, the later suras are more about violence. The hostility, violence, controlling nature, and forceful missionary zeal of Islam (“accept Islam or suffer,” for example) developed in Muhammad’s later teachings, especially after he had some significant negative encounters with Jews.
Across the globe, in places where Muslims are more in the minority (such as North America and Europe), Muslims tend to follow the earlier suras — the more peaceful chapters — but where they are in the majority (such as in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc.), Muslims tend to follow the later, more violent suras.
Hence, the claim that Islam is a religion of peace may be true. Equally true is the assertion that Islam is a religion of violence. ISIS — and the 8 men who mercilessly murdered the men and women in France Friday night — are obviously adherers to the latter chapters of the Qur’an.
Note: these men were not mentally ill. They were not deranged nor drugged up, that we know.
They also were not Jewish nor Christian nor any other organized faith. It is both inane and illogical for any to liken all organized religion to what these evil men did. They killed the innocent because, as said in an online statement, Paris is “the carrier of the banner of the Cross in Europe.”
They added, “Let France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of the IS”… “and that the smell of death will never leave their noses as long as they lead the convoy of the Crusader campaign.”
The problem is not world religion. The problem is not Judaism, Christianity, nor any other belief system associated with God-honoring, Judeo-Christian values. The problem is evil. So how do we wrestle with evil? Great question. Sobering, too.
We can’t simply sit down with evil men and ask/order them to stop. Their motivation is not ours; they do not wish for peace. They do desire unity — but only as the different are destroyed. The grave reality is that evil is incredibly difficult — and arguably impossible — to humanly contain and control. I get the stern responses promising justice and revenge. I am just uncertain that such is fully effective.
So what can we do?
I solemnly see no more effective response than falling to our knees — individually and corporately — admitting our inability and brokenness, humbly asking for the good Lord to intervene.
Respectfully…
AR