Living as Jesus Would Live
By Rev. David Wilson Rogers | June 13, 2015
Simply having the right to do something does not automatically make it right. In fact, exercising that right can, even when done out of Christian conviction, actually violate the essence of what it means to call oneself Christian.
Within the culture of modern Christianity and amid the contemporary conflicts between and among religions there is an increasing desire to justify acts of desecrating violence in the name of so-called Christian or American values. For example, a devout Christian publicly burns a Koran in defiant opposition to the Islamic faith or speaks vehement rhetoric of intolerance and hatred toward a faith they only think they understand. Perhaps the most notable example is the horrific scene in Garland, Texas earlier this year when a planned event promoting a cartoon contest satirizing the prophet Mohammed ended in violence and bloodshed.
Defenders of the contest, and its inspiration borne in solidarity with the French publication, Charlie Hebdo, argue the right for free speech and the constitutional guarantee of free expression in the United States. Arguably, free speech in the form of cartoons and even defamatory images are very much a part of the American culture. They have been a staple of the news business since the invention of the printing press.
Yet, as Christians, it is vital that we all take a step back and heed the wisdom of the apostle Paul when looking at our means of taking stands. In First Corinthians, Paul writes in both chapters 6 and 10 that all things are lawful, but that does not necessarily make them helpful or beneficial. Although Paul is specifically referencing particular situations damaging the Corinthian congregation at the time, the sacred wisdom contained in Scripture has broad relevance to the way Christians take stands.
Sadly, much of what passes as Christian teaching regarding the Islamic faith is mired in a militant reaction to an unholy, extremist faction of this Islam. In spite of highly politicized claims of authority and authenticity, such fear-driven rhetoric rarely seeks to truly understand that the genuineness of the religion. Such distorted perceptions are only exacerbated when events are held and free speech is pronounced or displayed in ways that does little to educate on Islam, yet only presents an inflammatory message clearly intended to incite anger.
Looking at the situation objectively, it is very difficult to see how the authenticity of faith in Jesus Christ is honored by deliberately defaming, distorting, or belittling another faith. Understandably, there are significant differences between the teachings of the Koran and the teachings of the Bible. Any honest person of faith should be willing to compassionately discuss such differences to seek a broader base of understanding and mutuality.
Christians who choose to portray defamatory images of the prophet Mohammed as an expression of free speech certainly have the right to do so. Yet, calling on the wisdom of Paul in First Corinthians, one must prayerfully ask the question if such obstinate defiance and disrespect is serving the cause of Christ or simply making Christians out to be hate filled, intolerant fools.
In a modern, multimedia, cyber-connected, social media driven culture where individuals of all types of faith and expressive of all manner of opinions may spew a plethora of anger and intolerance, it is vital that all who call upon the name of Christ stand in opposition to the divisive and destructive means by which so many choose to express their faith. Along with Paul’s wisdom to the Corinthian church. Perhaps Jesus said it best in Matthew 7:12. In all things treat others as you would have them treat you.