Believe it or not, an open blog on the internet and a facebook note are not always the best places to open things up for discussion. Just peruse the comment section of any blog or article worth talking about (or not) and you'll find all sorts of people posting junk and either being offensive purposely or as a result of ignorance. I try to avoid getting caught up in those discussions and I also don't like the idea of people associating me with some poorly made comment that someone else made in an area it would seem I have some control over. I also have a fear of being misunderstood or creating misunderstanding that would harm someone, and thus often refrain from publishing many thoughts and opinions that run around my head (another big reason being that I often find my thoughts and opinions changing and evolving over time, and once something is said it's hard to take back).
However, there are times and situations that rise above and are of some import to be worthwhile discussing openly, and this might be one.
I was very intrigued and moved by an image I saw recently:
It is a picture of a group of Egyptian Christians acting as human shields for their fellow Egyptians who are Muslim and are in prayer during the protests (You can read the article by following the link http://goo.gl/G9dBk). Apparently, some Muslims also stood outside services to protect Christians while they worshiped as there were people who purposed to attack the worshipers while they were more vulnerable.
Some have said it is an example of the human spirit transcending petty differences, but I heartily disagree. I love my friends who are Muslim, but I think we would agree that there is a gap that separates those of the Muslim faith and those of the Christian faith that goes beyond "petty differences".
Since many of my friends and colleagues are Christians and thinkers, I would inquire of you (and anyone else who cares to share) as to whether you see this as an act of living out the gospel with love, or if you think it a mistake to validate religious practices you would disagree with?
I feel led to perceive the action certain ways when lined up with scripture, but rather than just out-right stating those, I'd like to be part of a discussion. And if no one reads or responds, then my thoughts don't need to be put down anyway :)
Please do be gracious and compassionate in your responses.
