Obama’s duty to Muslim soldiers
During last year’s presidential campaign, it was Colin Powell who spoke most eloquently of the brave service of Muslim soldiers and sailors, not Barack Obama. Cowed by a widespread belief that he was Muslim, Obama was virtually silent on the subject, craven in the face of the demands of electoral politics.
Elsheba Khan visits her son's grave, Platon
Powell filled the void. Endorsing Obama on NBC’s “Meet the Press” last October, he chastised his fellow Republicans for a rightwing heterodoxy (which has only grown more pronounced since then) and an exclusionary narrowmindedness.
“I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion that (Obama) is a Muslim and might have an association with terrorists. This is not the way we should be doing it in America,” Powell said.
As the interview ended, the former Secretary of State evoked a photograph he had seen of a mother kneeling at the grave of her dead son.
“. . .At the very top of the head stone, it didn’t have a Christian cross. It didn’t have a Star of David. It has a crescent and star of the Islamic faith. . . His name was Kareem Sultan Khan. And he was an American. . .He was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he could serve his country and he gave his life,” Powell noted.
That sort of powerful testimony is needed even more now, after last Thursday’s bloody rampage at Fort Hood, Texas, apparently carried out by a Muslim Army officer, Nidal Hisan, who was, stunningly, a psychiatrist. As reports surface suggesting that Hisan may have been seduced by radicalism, there will inevitably be more calls for sanctions or restrictions that apply to all Muslim troops.
Obama chose not to use the occasion of Tuesday’s memorial service to forcefully speak out against the anti-Muslim bigotry that — always close to the surface — has bubbled up in certain quarters. Instead, his references to Islam were implicit, if obvious.
“No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts; no just and loving God looks upon them with favor. And for what he has done, we know that the killer will be met with justice — in this world, and the next,” he said.
In the coming weeks, as the investigation continues and members of Congress pounce on an incendiary issue, Obama will need to pointedly address a worrisome tendency to smear all Muslims with the misdeeds of a few. Already, conservative talk shows and Web sites have indulged the impulses of assorted “experts” who claim that Hisan’s murderous spree shows the dangers of Islam.
Bryan Fischer, an official with the ultra-conservative American Family Association, called for the U.S. military to “stop the practice of allowing Muslims to serve.”
Fischer went on to acknowledge that “most U.S. Muslims don’t shoot up their fellow soldiers. Fine. As soon as Muslims give us a foolproof way to identify their jihadis from their moderates, we’ll go back to allowing them to serve.”
The American Family Association is known partly for its hardline anti-abortion stance; yet, its officials have never condemned the bombing of an abortion clinic or the murder of an abortion provider — acts always carried out in the name of God — as characteristics of Christianity. (Indeed, the AFA can barely bring itself to condemn such acts at all.) The savagery of a handful of anti-abortion fanatics is properly understood as emanating from a Christianism that distorts the teachings of Jesus Christ; it is not a Christianity that most believers embrace — or even recognize.
The same is true of Hasan’s apparent distortions of Islam. And Osama bin Laden’s and Zacarias Moussaoui’s.
Hasan may have wanted a jihadist’s martyrdom, but he appears headed, instead, for a military court-martial, where he will be held to account for his alleged crimes. That is as it should be. If he is guilty, he committed the ultimate betrayal of his fellow soldiers, making a killing field of a home base that should have provided sanctuary from the depravity of war.
But unless the investigation yields co-conspirators, no one else should be blamed for those crimes, including other Muslims serving in uniform. Too many of them, like young Khan, have given their lives for their country.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Guides
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
77 comments Add your comment
Joan
November 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
‘IF HE IS GUILTY…” Are you oblivious??? And Obama has stated, from his own mouth, and without the aid of teleprompter, that he was a Muslim. He is undeniably dismantling the United States, and laughing up his sleeve at the liberal lemmings who would go along with what he said if what he said was a fart. If I were a mother of one of the Ft. Hood deceased, I would spit in his face.
freebird
November 10th, 2009
3:13 pm
religion kills, look at the history of Christianity, we reap what we sow….Lennon was right, imagine no heaven no hell!
Mike Woodliff
November 11th, 2009
7:44 am
It’s Veterans’ Day, Cynthia. One would think you’d have the decency to dedicate your column to those who dedicated their lives to making sure you could write it.
Turd Feguson
November 11th, 2009
7:44 am
Lennon wrote great music, however, he was wrong about many a thing and he was a communist.
There will be no tamping down of anti-muslim sentiment. If Obobo were a succcessful president the perhaps people would listen however such is not the case and personlly I do not subscribe to his viewpoints. Obobo is sneaky one seeking to impose HIS WILL on The People.
He wants to spread around the wealth. Well let him spread his around and leave mine out of it.
mike
November 11th, 2009
7:46 am
If only the hand-wringers in the liberals media would ever care half as much about anti-Christian bigotry. But as Jay Bookman explained to me the other day, Christians deserve the bigotry that they are on the receiving end of.
mike
November 11th, 2009
7:49 am
freebird –
“religion kills, look at the history of Christianity, we reap what we sow….Lennon was right, imagine no heaven no hell!”
Nonsense. Violence is just as prevalent in the secular world. As I am sure many have pointed out to you before Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot ran regimes that persecuted the religious.
Violence is a part of the human condition and folks like yourself who want to use it as an excuse to demonize religion are no different than the zealots who want to demonize the secular. Your intolerance is just aimed in a different direction.
Peadawg
November 11th, 2009
7:52 am
“He wants to spread around the wealth. Well let him spread his around and leave mine out of it.”
Amen!!!
Ben
November 11th, 2009
7:57 am
Why are you so vehemently dedicated to apologizing to our country’s enemies. I sometimes wish that I lived in a country like China. They immediately execute their enemies; they don’t put them on a couch to ask them what their “childhood” was like or the circumstances that led to their murderous actions. They are an end result minded people and they do their best to protect their citizens against criminals and terrorists. Unfortunately, due to wrongminded policies and laws people like you are currently in charge but one day in the near future our citizens are going to get so tired of muslim killers getting away with murder that people with opinions like mine are going to get to deal with them.
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
8:09 am
Missing in action Tucker -
So let me get this straight it is okay to denigrate any religion except Islam? You can make fun of the religious, we do cling to God and our guns. You are okay with Jesse Jackson’s hymie-town remarks.
In the past the editorials did rant against anything that supported religion, the religious, Godliness or even morals.
All except Islam. Your hypocrisy is showing.
TnGelding
November 11th, 2009
8:09 am
Joan
November 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
You’re deranged!
Turd Feguson
November 11th, 2009
7:44 am
As you ridicule all the way to the bank. Success has a new meaning following his predecessor’s disastrous 8 years. I’m confident he can grow into the job and be one of our best, and most successful, ever.
Insanity knows no one religion. The warning signs were there. Someone has to be held accountable besides the killer.
Christians in this country have acepted the challenge from the Jihadists, and are killing and maiming with abandon.
Peadawg
November 11th, 2009
8:17 am
Cynthia, as much as you ridicule ultra conservative Christians on this blog, you have no right to ridicule people who talk out against Islam. Hypocrite!! But then again, I’m used to it from you.
Like I said the other day…an apology would be nice but we probably won’t be getting one……
Peadawg
November 11th, 2009
8:17 am
A typical woman…can never admit you are wrong!!!
Tall
November 11th, 2009
8:18 am
Ben: True statement. I remember seeing a press photo of two Chinese narcotics traffickers about to face execution. They were sitting cross legged on the ground, manicled and sucking on their last cigarettes, with the firing squad in the background behind them. The expressions on their faces summed it up: It’s over.
GaPeach1st
November 11th, 2009
8:18 am
The truth of the matter is . . . until descent Americans can recognize who among all the Muslims in this country is an islamic radical . . . there will be anti-muslim sentiment. Until muslims come forward to condemn those among them for their radical beliefs the anti-muslim sentiment will continue. Instead of condemnation, they remain silent. “But unless the investigation yields co-conspirators, no one else should be blamed for those crimes, including other Muslims serving in uniform.” Absolutley “yes” others should be blamed . . those who have radical islamic beliefs who draw people into their way of thinking! All radicals are co-conspirators!!
By the way hypocracy lives within people like yourself, Cynthia Tucker, . . . because even you have condemn ALL Christians who are anti-abortion . . you put them all into a group along with people who would and have committed the horrible crimes against abortion clinics. I for one am opposed to abortion but I would never commit such a crime as bombing an abortion clinic. I believe my God will deals with all people; I don’t have to do anything except spread His word.
Americans (both democrat and republicans) exhibit anti-muslim sentiment. It is just that a democrat, like yourself, believes that to do so at this point is to go against your President.
v mancuso
November 11th, 2009
8:19 am
How many Muslim perpetrated atrocities does it take to warrant backlash? How many Muslim murderers does it take to be called terrorism?
“The military hasn’t executed a murderer in 40 years. Texas does it every week.” Change venues.
Turd Feguson
November 11th, 2009
8:22 am
TnGelding
November 11th, 2009
8:09 am
No…Obobo is a failure waiting to happen. He will not be elected to a 2nd term. Obobo may surpass himself as being worse than Jimmy Carter. Lettuce hope so.
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
8:33 am
TnGelding,
I admire your optimism, no matter how misguided it is.
We are a free country and this administration wants to change that. Extreme taxation is a form of slavery. When the fruits of my labor are not mine, I am a slave.
bob
November 11th, 2009
8:43 am
We certainly do not want to follow the great and wonderful FDR and just lock all muslims up internment camps, only good liberals do that. In fact, Bush gets bashed for his supposed denying Habeus Corpus, but a liberal that locks up an entire group for years is a great guy because he passed some social programs.
Winston Smith
November 11th, 2009
8:44 am
It amazes me how actual violence perpetrated by Muslims immediately precedes media hand-wringing about hypothetical violence and bias against Muslims. In fact, most of the American media assiduously avoided the “sudden jihad syndrome” angle of this story in favor of a novel vicarious PTSD theory–isn’t that evidence enough of how ultra-sensitive America is to Muslim sensibilities? Have any mosques been torched in retaliation the past week? In response to 9/11? Sadly, UK papers are in the vanguard on this story–reporting the radical imam associations, attempts to contact al-Qaeda and long record of odd behavior by Hasan. All Ms. Tucker can do–along with the rest of the media–is stir up a PC dustcloud and worry about infringement of the rights of Muslims. That brand of nonsense dishonors the real victims of Ft. Hood and other acts of jihad.
Call it like it is.
November 11th, 2009
8:47 am
You know, I would think I would be used to your unprofessional dribble that you pump out every day, but you are hitting all time lows. Trying to somehow take the heat off Muslims by bringing up killings of abortion doctor’s?? What? Are you really trying to correlate the Christian faith as being as evil and corrupt as Islam?
Cindy this is a religion that has one driven purpose and that is to dominate the world by blood. It is shown time after time after time. Your comparison is insulting at best. A sad and pathetic diatribe that shouldn’t be allowed in a major newspaper. Oh excuse me the AJC stop being a major newspaper a long time ago.
I tell you what instead of praising the Muslim killers, how about on Veterans day you do a piece on the families that will forever be broken over this maniac and what he did to them. Or how about you do something on some of the victims from the DC sniper and how they now feel that this Muslim scum has been wiped off the earth as of last night.
Can I have an Amen?
Common Sense
November 11th, 2009
8:54 am
“Dhimmitude” is a concept that should strike fear in the heart of America. It rears its ugly head as the population percentage of Islam grows and then saturates any given country. It means a humiliating, debasing, servile lifestyle physically forced on infidels by Islamic rule over the centuries wherein you exchange your freedom for your life. It’s already happening in Europe via mass Islamic immigration (i.e., France and the Netherlands) and our government is ignoring it here at our peril.
Common Sense
November 11th, 2009
8:56 am
What’s behind America’s politically correct ‘love’ of Islam?
——————————————————————————–
Posted: November 09, 2009
9:25 pm Eastern
David Kupelian
“So, why do we have this stubborn inability to come to grips with Islam?
Everyone attributes it to “political correctness,” but I think it’s time to move beyond that shallow, passé, near-meaningless phrase.
Do we dare admit what is really at play here? The truth is actually very simple.
We are afraid of Islam.
We are intimidated by Islam.
And because we are afraid of and intimidated by Islam, Islam is changing us – in two distinct and profound ways.
First, as is appallingly obvious, we’re afraid to criticize Islam openly, for fear of having our head cut off or having a fatwa put out on us like the director of the new “2012″ film, or we’re afraid of being sued by some of the very litigious Islamic organizations like CAIR, or we’re afraid of being called a racist, extremist, hater or “Islamophobe” thanks to the tyranny of political correctness, or we’re afraid of offending those in power and thereby risking our position, stature or other advantage. This reaction, while perhaps selfish and cowardly, is more-or-less conscious and strategic.
However, for some it goes much deeper: Being intimidated by Islam (or by anything, for that matter) actually causes some of us to mysteriously grow sympathetic toward it, to defend it, to side with it, even to convert to it. This unconscious shift in attitude, in response to fear of being hurt, is called the Stockholm syndrome, named after the 1973 Swedish bank robbery during which the four terrorized hostages sided with their criminal captors while disparaging the police risking their lives trying to save them.
We need to understand that a certain percentage of us, when we’re intimidated and upset, start to emotionally gravitate toward and agree with whatever is intimidating us. Not just superficially, as a temporary tactic of placating a bully so he won’t hurt us, but more profoundly, deep down in the inner sanctum of our being where our thoughts and feelings germinate and our loyalties bloom.
Intimidation – that is, causing others to react with upset and fear – is a fundamental principle of mind control, fully capable of causing the victim’s loyalties to shift toward the intimidator, whether a schoolyard bully, gang leader, child molester, hostage-taking bank robber or Islamic radical.
“Political correctness” – which is basically a low-grade Stockholm syndrome playing out on a broad societal stage – is actually a subtle form of brainwashing. Even establishment mouthpiece Newsweek, in its famous Dec. 24, 1990, cover story on the then-new phenomenon of political correctness on college campuses (titled “Thought Police”) conceded this truth when it reported: “PC is, strictly speaking, a totalitarian philosophy.”
Bottom line: We’re intimidated, bullied, threatened, terrorized – and so we capitulate, not just in word and deed, but in thought. Get it?
Most of the time, of course, this occurs below the radar of our own consciousness. We don’t understand what’s really happening. So we interpret our growing sympathy and affinity for whatever intimidated us as evidence of our loving, open-minded, enlightened nature. In reality, it’s the result of craven weakness on our part.”
Joan
November 11th, 2009
9:01 am
TnGelding. None are so blind as those who will not see. Please read outside your comfort zone–People magazine or the like–maybe try the Wall Street Journal. I read that, watch both CNN and Fox, and other media to try to get as much input as I can. What I have learned is that this President is a disaster, and I truly think we can expect a lot more terrorist attacks–particularly if we stay in denial, and our President and the media attempt to keep us asleep. And stop the name calling. It is not productive, but a very transparent liberal strategy.
Turd Feguson
November 11th, 2009
9:02 am
Tuckers assessment is typical as is typical amongst certain communities. Always defending the one bad apple and proclaiming all the other apples are above reproach.
These crazy-8 muslims are coming for you also Cynthia.
Turd Feguson
November 11th, 2009
9:02 am
“director of the new “2012″ film,”
Just another churned out hollywood trash film. All flash no substance.
Donovan
November 11th, 2009
9:09 am
Our little AJC commie is so far off the reservation that she can’t see the forest for the trees. The state run media is soft selling the Muslim issue. The “community organizer” is soft selling the Muslim issue. The FBI is soft selling the Muslim issue. And the Tucker Club is soft selling the Muslim issue. This type of political correctness brought us 9/11. How fast we forget in this hijacked liberal country. The only ones who demonstrated courage and common sense were George W. and Dick Cheney. Islam was created by a brutal warrior who validated his insatiable lust for violence and inflexible vengence with the notion that he was a prophet. Masking a corrupt agenda behind the veil of religion has been a tool used by many for generations. The Muslim culture is steeped in violence and paranoia. It controls its followers with retribution and bigotry. Validating murder, honor killings, and revenge is part of the teachings of Islam’s Koran. There is no honor in murder. There is no honor in familial homicide. Theere is no honor in exacting pay-back. Muslims are a danger to society based on the religion they follow; an inflexible and violent religion. Muslims place all of their values in their religion and therefore must be considered the bane of our existence. As the Fort Hood Muslim murderer said, “I am a Muslim first and an American second”. Just remember the golden slogan…Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims. Wake up America!
Joey
November 11th, 2009
9:18 am
“Cowed by a widespread belief that he was Muslim, Obama was virtually silent….”
1. In addition to meaning a bovine, cow is the base word for cower, cowed and coward. Jay uses cowed occasionally to describe some Conservative that he wants to criticize.
Yours is the first time that I have seen a Progressive Commentary writer use Cowed to describe Obama. Interesting.
2. In my view equating the Fort Hood shootings to the murder(s) of a abortion provider(s) is pure lazy. You seem to be trying to tap an anti-Christian emotion in your readers, but to me it just falls flat. (And note that I am not religious and am pro-abortion.)
It is particularly sad that you equate the American Family Association with all, or is it only most, Christians. But have you ever singled out a member of CAIR as supporting Islamic Terrorism? Have you ever identified CAIR as a possible threat to our country?
Common Sense
November 11th, 2009
9:30 am
Living in a free country, getting a free education, taking the military oath as an officer, military discipline, a physchiatric degree and common human decency could not disuade this terrorist from his evil deeds. That, my friends, it what we are up against.
Islam is not just a religion – it is an economic, social, political, legal, educational, military “and” religious system. We ignore that at our peril.
Your morning jolt: Four GOP candidates for governor on water, transportation and jobs | Political Insider
November 11th, 2009
9:49 am
[...] Some opinion: Cynthia Tucker on Obama’s duty to Muslim soldiers. [...]
Innocent until proven guilty
November 11th, 2009
9:56 am
In the United States of America, anyone suspected of a crime is innocent until proven guilty. As such, no matter how much evidence may be against someone for a crime, newspapers and other publications are required to indicate that Hasan is may not be guilty in order to protect themselves from libel charges in the event that the Hasan is found to be innocent.
What They Are Saying: 11.11.09 | AnnotatedOpinions.com
November 11th, 2009
10:03 am
[...] Obama’s duty to tamp down anti-Muslim bias [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
10:17 am
Innocent until proven guilty,
In this country, yes. Try shooting at a crowd of people in some of the friendly Islamic countries.
My one regret that he lived and some leftie, bleeding heart liberal will try to get him off.
He should have died and been buried with a pig skin foot ball.
SouthernGal
November 11th, 2009
10:27 am
A condition of joining the military should include parking your religious beliefs outside the gate!
Rev. Right
November 11th, 2009
10:27 am
I like Farrakhan and Ahmenajad also. men of courage and principle to fight the great satan
jconservative
November 11th, 2009
10:30 am
Some folks do not want Muslims to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks do not want gays to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks do not want atheists to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks still do not want blacks to serve in the armed forces.
Are we only going to let straight, white Christians serve?
If we do that, in 30 years only half the population will qualify for military service. I will probably not be around, but to you folks who will, good luck with the defense of your country.
I served with whites, blacks, asians, latinos; christians, jews, hindus, muslims & atheists; straights & gays; male & female; yet somehow most of us made it through.
Conservative White Male
November 11th, 2009
10:42 am
Some folks do not want Muslims to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks do not want gays to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks do not want atheists to serve in the armed forces.
Some folks still do not want blacks to serve in the armed forces
Do you trust them with guns or to protect America like real Americans?
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
10:48 am
Crazy folks.
1) Some folks do not want Muslims to serve in the armed forces. Wrong, we want loyal Americans – regardless of faith.
2) Some folks do not want gays to serve in the armed forces. Wrong, we want private stuff kept private.
3) Some folks do not want atheists to serve in the armed forces. Wrong, see #1
4) Some folks still do not want blacks to serve in the armed forces Wrong, this is the dumbest allegation. Dorrie Miller understood what it meant to be an American serviceman.
Bajaboy
November 11th, 2009
11:19 am
Why did the Muslim doctor join the military in the first place? We have been at war with the Palestinians since 1948.
Common Sense
November 11th, 2009
11:31 am
Every recruit and officer joining the military should now be polygraphed to determine his/her loyalty to the Constitution of the United States. Same as we do for FBI agents, etc.
I would even recommend a five year update throughout one’s career.
Roamin
November 11th, 2009
11:42 am
The American Family Assoc has always condemned the violent acts of terrorists including those who terrorize abortion clinics with violence. The writer is wrong. And the deafening silence of the at large muslim community in the wake of so many atrocities makes us all remember the celebrations we saw around the world after 9/11/ And the attempt by so many liberals to justify Muslim terrorism is sick. Watch as they change the disccussion to GI stress (re a GI who has never even beeen deployed and was obviously refusing to go) rather than discuss the religious fanatics hate filled life or the hate filled teachings of his religion. When was the last time you saw a Southern Baptist or Roman Catholic suicide bomber shouting Jesus is Great or some such thing as he committed his atrocity.
jconservative
November 11th, 2009
11:50 am
Conservative White Male
“Do you trust them with guns or to protect America like real Americans?”
They did protect America. Did you not read my comment in its entirety?
—————–
El Jefe
If the shoe does not fit, do not wear it. I specifically said “some folks”, not all folks.
I am glad you are one who welcomes all into our armed services who volunteer to serve their country. There have always been the McVeigh & Hasan types & there always will be. In this case, the Army had an opportunity to do something about Hasan in June 2007 but did not.
That is where the congressional hearings will go.
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
11:52 am
Face it folks, Ms Cynthia will mock, denigrate and insult Baptist, Methodist, Lutherans, Jews and anyone that believes in a divine Being, but will say nothing even close to that about a Muslim.
Wonder who is out of touch?
Shananeeeeee Fananeeeeeeee
November 11th, 2009
11:54 am
His duty is to keep his campaign promises that got him elected in the first place, remember “change we can believe in?” He needs to start owning up to his big talk and start delivering.
Spartann
November 11th, 2009
12:06 pm
Shame on you Ms Tucker… Shame on you…
Never before have I been at a loss for words after reading a Cynthia Tucker op-ed….. Today is a first for Me..I’m speechless…. The contempt I now harbor for her is beyond belief. I wish I didn’t read her column today.
God Bless the U.S.A., may He keep all who serve Her safe and secure….. Happy Veteran’s Day ya’ll.
Common Sense
November 11th, 2009
12:14 pm
“Muslims” have become the new royalty. To even question the loyalty of one is to bring down the wrath of CAIR, the ACLU and the liberal mainstream media.
However, I predict (sadly to say just based on what has and is happening in Europe) that sooner or later a terrorist group will target a mainstream media outlet for some “perceived” slight to Islam (cartoon, editorial, etc.) .
Let’s see what the mainstream media says then …………………
Stop the Madness
November 11th, 2009
12:31 pm
Once again Cynthia takes a horrible tragedy and asks us to look beyond the “alleged” perpetrator, a Muslim terrorist. She shows her usual ignorance on religion and insists we not jump to conclusions on other Muslims. Cynthia, perhaps you should read the Koran which explicitly calls for the conversion (or else death) of all non-Muslims. There are no moderate Muslims, only seemingly peaceful ones who do not wish us to know that uncomfortable truth. How many millions have been slaughtered in the name of Allah? Do you have that number Cynthia? I guess not. Instead you show your true colors by deflecting from the current realities of the world and taking the opportunity to call out the “savagery” of a very small group of misguided Christians. Very cleverly she notes that most believers don’t recognize this brand of Christianity and that Hasan will be held accountable, but it’s too late. To compare the misguided acts of a few Christians to the real savagery that Islam calls for every day is beyond the pale. The overwhelming majority of our troops are Christian. Let’s not thank them on Veteran’s Day Cynthia. Instead, in light of the real savagery committed by a Muslim, let’s ask them to remember their fallen Muslim brothers. Sad and yet all too predictable.
Jack
November 11th, 2009
12:33 pm
“Heterodoxy”. “Exclusionary narrowmindedness”. Not only am I a stingy geezer, I’m also guilty of all the above. I’m thinking this ain’t a real good way to increase the AJC subscriber base. But it is a good way to alienate sensible people & help guarantee a GOP sweep in the upcoming elections.
El Jefe
November 11th, 2009
12:50 pm
Jack,
She doesn’t care about readership, she is sitting inside the beltway. Also she is waiting for the obamatron to sign the print media bailout bill.
After all we live in an Obama-nation (abomination for those in mid-town)
spunkygirl
November 11th, 2009
1:35 pm
Religion, by its very nature, is bigoted as one’s religious often professors to be “better than, superior than to, more holy than etc.etc. The christian bible epouses “there will be wars and rumors of wars”…… History shows that most wars started over religious issues, greed or both. Patriotism on this, Veteran Day, is to mark those who served our nation bravely ans unselfishishless; many making the ultimate scarifice. However, I am so tired of “Patriots” who continally disrespect our Commander and Chief, President Obama, because of their own bigotry. Many of thesame “Patriots” are the very same who hate gays in the military, Jews and all people of color,in the name of their Christian beliefs. Such thinking is twisted and dangerous because its lumps everyone with a different life-view as unAmerican and unChristain. I was raised as a Christian and it has been my experiences that most christians, southern especially, are the most intolerant and discriminating people of all. A very famous southern writer once wrote “The Anglo-Saxon mentality is one of violence. Violence is his religion. He has gained everything he has by it and respects nothing else”. Zora Neale Hurston, author. Today is not about the christian right agenda. It is about the American agenda and the veterans of all ethnicities, religious beliefs, races and colors who fought so that I might have the freedom to write this blog.
Michelle Richards
November 11th, 2009
2:33 pm
Cynthia, thank you for showing us the story of Khan. It was touching and encouraging! Keep up the good work!
Jim San
November 11th, 2009
4:27 pm
The print version of your column read, “Don’t smear Islam with this blood” while the on-line version reads, “Obama’s duty to Muslim soldiers”. Who changed it and why?
Jed
November 11th, 2009
5:25 pm
Cynthia,
You’re obviously an intelligent and talented woman. Which leads me to wonder how you continue to write such ignorant pieces. I’ve tried for the longest time to agree with you on even the smallest thing, and I find it extremely difficult.
I was actually about to subscribe to the AJC, but as long as they keep you, I think I’ll pass.
Also, I hope that each person offended by this opinion piece, as it seems there are many, are not subscribers to this newspaper.
Liberal Pariah
November 11th, 2009
9:56 pm
Cynthia writes correctly that killing abortion doctors is a distortion of what Jesus taught. However, she is wrong in saying that the terrorism we see is a distortion of Islam. This type of behavior is condoned and encouraged in their Holy Book, the Koran. It is not a distortion and recognizing that REALITY does not make one a xenophobe. Pretending that this strain of Islam is an aberration and not believed and practice by millions of Muslims around the world, puts us all in danger. That is precisely why ‘multiculturalism’, the belief that all cultures and ideas are equal, has lead and will lead to more people being killed here and around the world until we get our head out of the sand with statements like ‘no faith justifies these murderous and craven acts’. Is he just that naive or too ideologically blinded by political correctness?
Tom Middleton
November 11th, 2009
10:39 pm
Joan@3:01pm: And Obama has stated, from his own mouth, and without the aid of teleprompter, that he was a Muslim.
Joan, President Obama has never said he was a Muslim. What he actually said was that he had some family members that were, but that he himself was a Christian.
If you don’t want to believe him, that’s your business, but please stop lying outright to win your highly skewed argument. You do believe in telling the truth, don’t you? Joan, are you Christian?
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
1:59 am
To Tom Middleton:
Judas was a “Christian” also …………………………
Tommy Maddox
November 12th, 2009
7:38 am
How many folks from the Southern Baptist have become suicide bombers? Are zany Methodists running around planting IEDs? Who was the last Catholic to fly an airliner into a skyscraper?
Gee, its open season on Christians yet the media and liberals just can’t get past the realization that being a Muslim does not make you a member of a protected class.
Amazing…
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
9:36 am
To Tommy Maddox:
Check out my 8:56 if you haven’t already. You are right on.
El Jefe
November 12th, 2009
11:37 am
Michelle Richards – Any serviceman (or woman) that has paid the ultimate sacrifice has earned our respect, no matter which Supreme Being he prayed to.
Don’t encourage Ms. Cynthia.
Tom Middleton
November 12th, 2009
12:38 pm
Common Sense@1:59: Judas was a “Christian” also
No he wasn’t, Common. Judas was a disciple who ultimately couldn’t live the sacred teachings of his Savior, kind of like you and most of the right-wingers on this blog. Too bad (for you)!
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
1:04 pm
To Tom Middleton:
You obviously missed the whole point and the fact that I put Christian in italics for Judas.
Here is your statement: “Joan, President Obama has never said he was a Muslim. What he actually said was that he had some family members that were, but that he himself was a Christian.”
Obama has “called” himself a Christian and maybe he is but only God knows the heart. Many people call themselves “Christians” but they are either lying or deceiving themselves.
Here’s what Christ Himself said about the subject:
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER (emphasis added) knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
Bottom Line:
Obama or anyone else can call themselves a Christian, be baptized, join a church, etc., etc., etc. but that does not make it so …………….. it takes a change of the heart and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit of God through “true” faith in Christ.
One day we will all know ……………………….
Tom Middleton
November 12th, 2009
3:59 pm
Common Sense@1:04pm
Real Christians are believers, Common, and as Jesus said, “Ye know them by what they do.” And if it’s the way to know real Christians, then can’t it also be the way to know real Muslims?
And do you know anything about real Islam, Common? For instance, do you know the Koran has a mandate to “return good for evil” for all believers? And doesn’t Christianity have this same “Golden rule” as one of our two main rules of Christian life? Haven’t you heard President Obama quoting this rule in speeches worldwide? I have – many times! (Wonder where Joan was?)
And if we want to get into quoting Christ, can’t we also quote what he said about loving our enemies, non-violence, and wealth? I think the right-wing has a long way to go before becoming real-Christians themselves, Common, and you and I both know Joan was just plain wrong.
We don’t have to wait for Christ’s return to know what’s true. He’s already told us, and we’re the ones responsible for how we live. Besides, Common, in spirit, Christ is here already, don’t you agree? I hope so!
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
4:12 pm
“I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me.”
“Except ye believe in Me, you are dead in your sins.”
“There is none other name given under heaven whereby men must be saved.”
Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life. That’s the bottom line and that’s a real problem for anyone who believes “in” anything else (Koran or otherwise). I didn’t choose to go that route (as a human I would have chosen many ways) but He did. And guess what? He gets to make the rules.
If there is any other way then He didn’t have to come to be our sacrifice.
Any other disagreement you or I or anyone else may have is nothing compared to that fact and I get back to my original point. Just because Obama “calls” himself a Christian doesn’t make it so.
Only God knows ……………
P.S. When Christ returns it says He will strike His enemies “with a rod of iron.” Not very peaceful sounding is it?
Ajazz Sadutt
November 12th, 2009
5:51 pm
We are always condemning the radicals among the Muslims and their acts. We always said those Muslims who are guilty should be prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law. After 9/11 the Muslims living in the United States of America through CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) declared:
“Not in the Name of Islam”. “We, the undersigned Muslims, wish to state clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the value of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice done to Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent people, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam. We repudiate and disassociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and unislamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of tiny minority acting outside the teachings of both the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.”
To validate the Islamic position by Muslim individuals and Muslim organization, the Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) Council of North America issued a Fatwa in 2005.
“Fiqh Council Issued a Fatwa to reaffirm Islam’s absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism. In the light of Qur’an and Sunnah it declared that (1). All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are Haram (forbidden) in Islam. (2). It is Haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence. (3). It is the civil and religious duty of a Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.”
……….
Tom Middleton
November 12th, 2009
6:04 pm
Common Sense: Just because Obama “calls” himself a Christian doesn’t make it so.
And just because you say you’re a Christian doesn’t make it so either, Common. Now it’s you missing the point.
What part of “Ye shall know them by what they do” don’t you understand? If they’re doing it, then they’re believing it, and if they’re not doing it, then there’s no belief at all.
You can say you believe in Christ, who was the perfect example and embodiment of “the light” he taught, but if you’re making no attempt to do what He said for eternal life, then you’re no Christian at all – period. And why then would you want to run around trying to make others do what you can’t do yourself?
Common, this is all too easy for me to think you’re not misunderstanding on prupose. And to say it once again in a different way: You’re standing and living in front of your spiritual Savior even as we speak. Why aren’t you listening, understanding, and making the effort to live the kind of life He said we must live for salvation?
Don’t worry about those who understand these things in other Faiths. for they’re not your enemy. (They’re already doing what you should be doing.) Worry instead about those extremists of all Faiths who convolute their religions for their own selfish intent, and guess in which group you presently belong, Common?
But please allow me one more thing, sir: I think you know better than most of what you’ve been saying. And from here, it’s an easy transition into the real deal – living the life Christ lived, suffered, and died to bring to humanity. Like you said, Judas wasn’t a true Christian “soldier,” but you
Tom Middleton
November 12th, 2009
6:06 pm
can be whenever you’re ready!
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
7:25 pm
You continue to miss my points and try to muddy the issue ……… .
1) I don’t know you and what you do and you don’t know me and what I do.
2) What we “do” doesn’t matter (it can be a deception) ……….. only God knows our hearts.
3) Saying one is a Christian doesn’t make it so (including the President of the United States).
4) There is only one way to eternal life …….. through Jesus the Messiah.
5) Finally ………. the people Jesus described in Matthew 7:21-23 were “doing it” (as you said, “If they’re doing it, then they’re believing it) but they were still NOT “believers”. Jesus said He NEVER knew them inspite of their good works! That’s “works” salvation and it doesn’t exist (Ephesians 2:8 & 9 …. “For by grace are you saved by faith and not by works ………..”)
Surely you can grasp these elementary Biblical concepts …………………
Tom Middleton
November 12th, 2009
8:53 pm
Common Sense@7:25pm
You’re still leaving out way too much to be real Christianity. Common; you must be a Baptist. I kind of recognize the watered-down theology since that’s the way I was raised.
I never once heard the “Golden Rule” taught from my church’s pulpit, and I’m still not hearing it anywhere, yet it’s one of the two basic commandments of our Christianity, the other being to love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. “All the law and the prophets are based on these two,” Jesus said.
Common, your actions have everything to do with life, for you can’t even get up in the am and go to work without actions of some kind. It’s what you do, of course, that separtates one from another, but it’s also who you do it for that’s important. I think you were alluding to this in your post.
Anything done for yourself is not Christianity, but anything done for God (in compliance with the Golden Rule) is the “straight and narrow path to salvation.” (I never heard this from my pulpit either. I had to go straight to the source to learn it.)
Jesus said to do what you do “without desire for reward,” for anything done for reward is doing it for yourself. And since we’re not here to worship ourselves (oops, there goes your conservative philosophy) but to worship God, then I think it’s plain and simple how we should be living. Are you living this way, Common? Who do you focus on as you go through your day-to-day life?
To say it again, Common, if you’re not doing what your Savior taught, then you’re not believing in Him. Can it be any more simple? I ask this, but ten bucks says you’ll find a way to say it’s not true, the way many Christians get around anything they don’t like or want to do. (Some Muslims, too.)
Personally I like it. It’s the challenge of being a real Christian, especially in this day and age. And to hold others responsible for what you do is hypocrisy at its worse, yet right-wingers do it all the time.
Common, you’re going to continue believing whatever you want – I understand that – but you should know by now that you’re missing most of His message, and what a shame that is. Christianity as taught by Jesus is the most perfect, beautiful, peaceful religious philosophy anywhere (for the believer), but you have to think and understand inclusively, not continue leaving out the parts you don’t want relevant to whatever you’d rather think.
And, Common, President Obama is a Christian, and I know this from his inclusive, constructive way of thinking and acting. However, George Bush acted as though he’d never read the Gospels, much less tried to live them (except at election time). What a huge difference between these two men, and thank God we’re finally going in the right direction for a change (in a moderate sort of way).
As soon as you right-wingers finally get the big picture with the real Christianity, it’ll be smooth sailing – on the exact right path for a change! It’s nice to be finally heading forward like we’re supposed to be, instead of backward like it was under Bush. It’ll be great for our country if we never see another like him in the presidency – forever and ever. Amen!
P.S. Do you remember when Jesus would go into towns and leave without healing because there were no believers? Think about it…
Common Sense
November 12th, 2009
9:14 pm
…………… again, you have no idea what I do as a Christian in my daily walk.
…………… and based on your thought patterns you must be a “universalist”. If so, quite sad.
…………… and it’s amazing that you know what Obama really is since only God can see the heart.
…………… and you seem to keep ignoring the passage that even some who preach and perform miracles in “His name” do not belong to Him.
2 Timothy 4
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Alas, we are here.
We’ll just have to agree to disagree without being disagreeable. Even Peter & Paul had a big falling out (Peter was wrong) on a serious doctrinal issue.
It happens.
Tom Middleton
November 13th, 2009
12:44 am
Common Sense: And it’s amazing that you know what Obama really is since only God can see the heart.
Common, I’m just following the teaching as you should be doing. You’ll probably always be able to find something in the Bible to twist or take out of context to say Jesus is wrong if you really try, but that would always be a mistake in my opinion. It just seems so obvious, for He spoke so clearly to all the ages.
I can’t figure out why you refuse to accept what he taught if you’re a real Christian and indeed saved. To me, whatever anyone else might say to refute the teachings of our Savior cannot be correct if we’re who we claim to be – believers. But you’re right, sir, we’ll just have to continuing disagreeing, probably even more so the next time we talk.
But this whole thing started with Joan claiming to know with certainty that President Obama is a Muslim. Then she claimed that he said so with his own mouth, which he didn’t do and never has done. After that, someone on this blog told her she was insane, but we won’t go there. Then I said what I said.
Then after that, you jumped in to defend Joan by saying you don’t know either but God does. Why then, Common, did Jesus tell us: “Ye shall know them by what they do.” Was He wrong like you think I am and gave us bogus information to believe that you don’t think is true? I told you, you would find a way around it.
It just gets better and better, sir, but like I said: You’re responsible for who you are, even for whether or not you can accept what Jesus taught. But in my opinion, if you haven’t accepted what He taught, then you haven’t accepted Jesus. But if you think you have, then go for it. Maybe He’ll lead you to the right path before it’s too late. I sincerely hope so, my friend!
Common Sense
November 13th, 2009
9:26 am
To Tom Middleton (aka Peter):
First: I never said Obama was a Muslim. I said he “claimed” to be a Christian but only God knows the heart. He may be a Christian – he may be an imposter. “YOU” are the one who claims to know what is in his heart (which is in direct violation of Matthew 7:21-23). I assume you know to interpret scripture in its proper context. In other words, a text out of context is no text.
Read Matthew Chapter 7 in its entirety (and context). You will find “know them by their fruits” (that you quote above) comes just before the words of the Lord when He says there are those who have called Him Lord, have preached in His Name, have done miracles in His Name and He still doesn’t know them and NEVER did. Why you choose to ignore that clear passage is beyond me?
Paul
P.S.
By the way, are you a “universalist”? By that I mean, do you believe there are other ways to heaven other than through Christ?
Tom Middleton
November 13th, 2009
4:02 pm
Common Sense: By the way, are you a “universalist”? By that I mean, do you believe there are other ways to heaven other than through Christ?
I love you, man, but I think we have a problem with who you think Christ is. Your view of Him is one of the most radically limited I’ve ever seen, even for a Baptist.
There are those who think Christ is one with the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present creator of the universe (“I and the Father are one,” He said), and there are those who have a much more limited view of Him. Common, I belong to the first group. I believe Christ is God. Can you say this?
I also think that many of those of the second group think that God hates some and loves others, but Common, God hates no one. God IS love, don’t you agree? Or do you?
If we can agree on these two, then we’ve just recognized the all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present creator in every major religion, including Islam. There’s only one unlimited God, Common, and He’s the ultimate object and goal of every single one of them. And since there can only be one of these unlimited Gods – period, we’re down to what we call Him. Jesus? The Father? Allah? Jehovah? You decide. In fact, everybody who loves God gets to decide this.
And since the essence of every religion is to recognize the supremacy of this God (“Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul”) and to return good for evil (not evil for evil or evil for good), then we have the consciousness of Christ at the pinnacle of each and every major religion on earth.
Now we’re down to the proper way to address Him, Common. Christians love to call him Christ, Jesus, Savior, and so on (He most often referred to himself as the “Son of Man”), but other traditions have their names as well, like “Allah.”
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what we call Him as long as we understand the magnitude of who He is and what He taught us for eternal life. These are what all major religions have in common, Common. The only real differences between and among them are the names given to God. But these are very superficial differences, for the core of every religion is what He told us to do – how He taught us to live – and in this, all major religions have their very essences in common with all others.
As long as we talk, sir, I will continue putting the emphasis on how we act, not on what we say we believe or in whom (which name of God). For this, sir, is the only way to know anything about the true nature of one’s soul. The murderer, murders, and this is how we can tell him or her from one who doesn’t. The liar, lies, and this is the way we know him or her. And the believer, believes, and the only way we can know this one is through his or her actions.
This is just common sense, sir, and when you stop and think about all the wars, hatred, and violence perpetrated in the name of such superficial differences among religions, especially when it means folks ignoring the basic teachings of each in the process, then you get where I’m coming from.
It’s what people do that’s the chief indicator of a person’s soul and whether or not they’re believers in any religion at all. Jesus said this, I believe this, and I don’t understand why you continue having a problem with it. Do you not believe you’re responsible for doing what Christ said and teaching others to do the same? Wow!
Yes, President Obama is a real Christian, for I can see (and feel) his heart, and the fact that you can’t is amazing. It’s George Bush who was/is the impostor, and anyone should be able to tell this as well, except those more politically motivated than spiritual.
I think President Bush tried hard, hard to be a good president, but he didn’t even come close. In my opinion, he wasn’t his own man and only paid lip-service to his religious beliefs anyway. But did you support George Bush’s presidency all eight years? If you will, sir, please tell me why.
Like I said, I love you, man, but I’ve long since stopped being a Baptist. The beginning of the end for me was during the struggle for Civil Rights. When I saw my church elders stand in the door of Christ’s church every Sunday morning and turn away black folks wanting to worship, I knew they were wrong.
There’s nothing Christ taught that would have supported this behavior, certainly not the Golden Rule. And since it’s one of the two basic rules of Christian life, upon which all the law and the prophets are based, well, you get the picture!
Common Sense
November 13th, 2009
4:42 pm
Ah, I see you ARE a “universalist” and that explains a lot.
Kind of odd then that Jesus, (God in the flesh) told the Jewish spiritual leaders of His day that unless they believed in Him (the Messiah) they were “of their father the devil”.
Hummmmmm …………. let’s see now, they believed in and worshipped and scrificed to “Jehovah” but were “of their father the devil”. Odd indeed. Even “good” Nicodemus needed salvation in Christ ……….. “ye must be born again” as his Jewish faith by itself was NOT ENOUGH.
And by the way ………. Islam (or any false religion) was hatched by Satan himself …………. “even Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light.”
“He that believeth in Me is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the only begotton Son of God.”
………….. and don’t forget the “Great Commission”. No need to send missionaries anywhere if there are ways other than through the blood atonement of Christ.
Now, if there are any others still reading this post other than brother “Peter” you may be offended by some of my words. My response is that I am only the messenger. One must take it up with the Author.
Tom Middleton
November 13th, 2009
7:12 pm
Common Sense: My response is that I am only the messenger. One must take it up with the Author.
If you’re the messenger, Common, then why do you continue misrepresenting His teachings? But there’s a lot of that these days. Look around at all the Christian denominations and sects worldwide. But while they all claim to represent Christ, they each disagree with each other and with Christ himself on even basic points. So how do you know who’s correct, sir? What’s the tip-off in your mentality of who’s right and who’s wrong?
Let me try again, sir: If you’ve accepted Jesus as Savior, then you’ve accepted His teachings. If you’ve accepted His teachings, then you’ve accepted that there are things required of all believers for salvation.
If you’ve accepted this, then you know there are actions required for living His truth. And if you’ve accepted this as well, then you know we can tell Christians from non-Christians “by what they do.” It’s like Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by what they do.”
But you don’t believe this, sir. And the whole of your argument in all these many posts now is that actions are not required for salvation, when Jesus said that this is how we shall know them. Not only that, sir, but you continue using the Bible to try and refute one of His most amazingly simple principles of all.
Common, if the devil is in this conversation (and anywhere else in Christendom), he will be the one saying, teaching, and proclaiming from the mountain tops that Christians don’t need to act like Christians, that Christ was a good man, but you don’t need to do what “ye must do” for any reason, even salvation.
And you say that the devil can masquerade as an “angel of the light,” and I agree. He will be the one telling you (and me) to be yourself as a “believer” and do whatever you want to do. But whatever you choose to do, he says, don’t believe that actions have anything to do with Christ’s message of love and eternal life. You will be saved without them.
And why would he take this approach, sir? It’s because if he’s got you doing evil while saying you believe good, then he wins, plain and simple. What’s more common sense than this, Common Sense? (And I can’t believe you still want to go on with this false argument of yours. I feel like I’m beating up an armless man, and I don’t like it at all.)
But this is the difference between the two of us, sir. I can recognize the influence of the devil whenever I encounter it, but I can also recognize the influence of Christ by what they say and do. And who taught me how to do this? Why Jesus did, sir. So who taught you how to ignore Him whenever you feel like it?
I know the answer to that, but like everything else we’ve talked about, you won’t like it either. But I still love you, sir, and I’m praying for you always! NEXT….
Common Sense
November 13th, 2009
7:44 pm
I will try to keep this short …………… you use a whole lot of verbage but never answer my various question(s) direct.
You speak of “things required for salvation” …………….
Salvation/Eternal Life is by faith in Christ and His blood atonement alone ………… nothing else ………….. including ANY other religion. Not baptism (the thief on the cross), not church membership in any particular denomination and certainly no amount of good works.
Good works are what we do in thankfulness for our salvation ……… not something we do to earn it (Ephensians 2:8&9). It is through God’s grace alone and even then He gives us the pull of the Holy Spirit that convicts and draws us to Him.
Any other false teaching is APOSTACY and blasphemes the name of Christ. Paul (and Peter) was quite clear on that.
If we can’t agree on the above ……….. then so be it. I am prepared to stand before my Lord on His grace for me alone.
Tom Middleton
November 13th, 2009
10:46 pm
Common Sense
What part of “Ye must be born again” and “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” don’t you understand? And let’s not forget the very pronounced but never mentioned “Ye must become perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect.”
Common, I stand before the Father and Son every single day of my existence. If you’re waiting until death to do it, then you’ve lost again. Look at all the time you’re wasting by waiting for something you can do right here, right now, even as we speak.
The one God of us all is everywhere we are – all times and places. And if this is not part of your Christian beliefs, then you have absolutely nothing.
And since we know (or should know) that God is anywhere we are as the only eternity there has ever been or ever will be (since only God has always existed), then anywhere we are becomes His church at the precise instant we turn our hearts, minds, and souls to Him.
And since Jesus told us to love the Lord with all our hearts, minds, and souls and DO unto others as we would have others DO unto us, then actions ARE a requirement for salvation, plain and simple.
Your heart is in the right place, sir, but it’s time to let it grow and move on past your watered-down (weak) theology. Point the whole of yourself to God, as Jesus said do, and learn to think inclusively.
Since we know God loves everyone, then we’re to love everyone as well by following His Golden Rule and doing it for God alone, not ourselves. We came from God our creator and into God we must return. And since God is everywhere we are without end, then so is His eternity.
But here we sit as Christians, waiting to die so we can go be with Him “forever and ever,” never realizing, of course, that forever and ever is everywhere we are, waiting for us to finally understand His true teachings.
Your Christianity is very materialistic, but since God has no limits of any kind, there’s nothing material about the Father. This means, sir, His Kingdom is a spiritual one – a kingdom no words can ever describe (since words belong only to the material world).
And to say it again, sir: The way to his Kingdom is through love – love of God and love of one another. This is what Jesus taught (“The Kingdom of God is at hand”), this is what Jesus proved, and this is how those of us believing in Him must live for eternal life.
We all have the freedom (as part of the creation) to live as we wish, but for those of us “with ears” and who are ready for the truth, Jesus was born, taught, lived, suffered and died to show us the way.
And yes, since he lived what He taught to absolute perfection, he was “The Way,” but that hardly translates into our needing to say we believe in Him, then declining to do hardly anything that He told us we must do.
Actions are important, sir, for they mean we’re trying. And when we’re trying, the Father will always be “there” to help us go as far as we can, but the effort belongs to us, not Him. We must be willing to be led “as little children, ” but the payoff is worth all of it and more – a never-ending “more.”
Remember, sir, that God is where eternity is, and God is right here, right now without end. Understand this and you have the basis for the real Christianity taught by Jesus.
And hate no one, sir. As God doesn’t hate, we are not to hate either. And when you’ve learned to do everything you do in a loving way for God alone, you’re on the straight-and-narrow path to His kingdom and His perfection as well.
Believe as you wish, my friend, for no one can ever deny you that right. But wherever you go, I pray God’s peace will be with you always. It’s much, much closer than even you might think!
Jim
November 14th, 2009
12:32 pm
It’s not Christianity that enrages the Muslims fundamentalists. It’s Hollywood and the liberal intelligentsia, such as Cynthia Tucker. How long would Cynthia last in a fundamentalist Muslim regime (like Iran)? If we exported movies, DVD, music, literature like it was in the fifties, Al Queda would not exist! Most decent law abiding Americans also know that most of this stuff is extremely offensive and destructive to the human spirit. However, we spend our human and financial capital to protect the decadence that had permeated our republic. The very people (media, journalist, Hollywood, universities) that cause the fundamentalist Muslim terrorist to kill thirteen people at Fort Hood denigrate the people who protect them!
Rob
November 19th, 2009
5:01 pm
Are you kidding me….How on earth can you compare the acts of a few anti-abortionist radicals (who you can easily spot by their rhetoric) and an “army” of hate loving death seeking muslims, who lurk in the shadows quietly waiting to kill as many infidels as possible all in the name of allah! Islam may have disguised itself as a peaceful religion when Mohammed first began it, but it has truly turned into one of the most dangerous ways of belief in the world. There is no right and wrong to them, everything they do is the will of allah, so killing an innocent person is not their will it is allahs!! No remorse! Do your research, even Mohammed himself was unsure if his visions and words were truly from God or the devil himself. His wife coerced him into believing it was God, I truly believe he was talking to the devil. Islam is a dangerous religion fueled by hate, and regardless what obama or any other muslim tells me, until I see their actions eradicated I will always believe they are evil!