As many of you are probably aware there have been two major events recently that concern visual representations of Muhammad throughout the United States. The first one, in Texas, ended with two gunmen being killed as they tried to storm the event and kill anyone that was present at the time (the second was in Phoenix). You see, in Islam it is wrong to have any kind of visual of Muhammad, and as everyone should know by now, they will kill you for doing so. Just earlier this year in France there was an incident where Muslims went into a magazine and shot up the place for publishing Muhammad cartoons, and there have been many other instances of this throughout the past several years.
What I want to talk about is whether or not it is ok for a Christian to take part in this event or even support it in any kind of way. The answer is a huge no. As Christians we are to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31), turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:38-42), love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-48), do to others as we would have them do to us (Matthew 7:12), do good to all people whenever we have the opportunity (Galatians 6:10), and to conduct ourselves worthy of the gospel no matter what happens (Philippians 1:27). We should live as peaceful as possible with everyone around us. As Christians we should not be provoking those of other religious beliefs to hate us. This will only turn them away from the gospel.
I want to make a few points about this however. First, I believe that Islam is a false religion. This article is not a way for me to be politically correct or to support some kind of universalism. When I say I do not think we should provoke anyone or that we should love them does not mean that we condone their beliefs.
Second, this is not a way for me to say that Americans do not have the freedoms that the First Amendment gives us. However, just because you have the freedom to do something does not mean you do it. A good and responsible society does not do things just because it can. That is part of being righteous and wise. Yes, I believe that what ISIS (and other Muslim groups) is doing is horrible. However, I do not think that intentionally making them angry is going to solve anything. Instead, we should be giving them the gospel.
What do you think? Should Christians be supporting these kinds of events? Leave a comment below or on our Facebook page.
