A local pastor has written to the editorial page of the Chattanooga Times Free Press to make known his concerns about the construction of an area Islamic Center. Well, first, he was perturbed because this was front page news, especially since the recent tornado devastation and stories of "heroes giving of the themselves" are still plentiful.You would think the religious-minded would appreciate religion getting on the front page of a newspaper anywhere in this atheistic, secular humanist nation of ours, right?
Ah, and there is his greater point:
The second would be in regard to the acceptance of the Islamic Center in general. Does our nation support freedom of religion? Yes. However, should those who are followers of Christ roll out a red carpet for the proclamation of falsehood? Absolutely not!
Get it? Only the religion of TRUTH should be supported. And according to this narrow - and I must add, biblical - understanding of Christianity, which points to Jesus as "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) and the only "name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12), no other religious ideas are welcome.
As the good pastor sums it up:
Having this center being built in our backyards should stir our hearts for heralding the gospel of Jesus Christ, for He alone brings salvation.
So fellow citizens, the truth shall make you "free."
7 comments:
The really sad part about this story is the construction of this Islamic Center was never really a secret. And there are also 2 or 3 mosques (and a private elementary school) in Chattanooga already.
I remember last year when that broohaha over Park 51 spread across the country to local mosques, I feared for the local Muslim community. In fact I even tried encouraging some of the more liberal pastors in the area to get together with the Muslim community during Ramadan. That got nowhere quickly although they didn't show the outright hatred and bigotry seen in the article's comment section.
I fear that vile anti-Islamic groups, like the one which set up camp in Murfreesboro, will migrate down here as news spreads of the construction. And that simultaneously sickens me and inspires hope. Now that the Muslim community will become more visible in Chattanooga, I hope more people will try to learn a bit more about this misunderstood faith. And I'll be right there standing with them on opening day.
~Sam
I wonder how much they would protest if that nasty Baptist church in Missouri were to want to build a branch in Chattanooga.
Then there is the Delta pilot who refused to fly two Imams in Memphis a couple of days ago because they might make passengers uncomfortable. "Freedom" of religion applies only to the chosen few.
@ Sam - I have no less respect for Islam than Christianity (which probably doesn't say a lot), but I have great respect for our Constitution, which guarantees EVERYONE the right to believe as they feel they must in religious matters (among other wonderful things it guarantees).
@ Georgia Mountain Man - It is truly sad and hateful that religion is used as a basis for discrimination these ways.
People fear the potential harm of Islam -- and there is harm to be had. But what they don't want to acknowledge is:
(1) there are many forms of Islam (as there are Christianity)
(2) even Islam can offer benefits
I tried to think about these things using a chart -- it shows my bigotry, of course, but I think it is important (when discussing these things) to talk about the elephant in the room (rather than groping it!) :-)
@ Sabio Lantz - Man, I love your blog AND your charts. I have to admit you get a little deep sometimes, but always challenging reading.
Any religion that is based on the premise of "this is how God wants it done" is troubling to me. Therefore, I have a big problem with any of the fundamentalist or fundamentalist-leaning religions.
I just like to do my own thinking and extend that right and privilege to others - something fundies can't do and remain faithful.
Glad you liked some of the charts dude.
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