This post is part 35 of a series on Christian citizenship, and why I believe mixing Christian identity with American identity is bad for both. I hope to give you little bite-sized thoughts, which represent themes you'll find throughout the Bible and historic Christian teachings.
Today's reason I want to live as a Christian in a multi-faith world:
because Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
because Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
Yesterday, September 11, commemorated a tragic day for our country and our world. 23 years ago yesterday, nearly 3,000 lives were lost due to an act of terrorism committed by religious extremists. As people of faith, we have to come to terms with the truth: religious nationalists committed this attack. The men who carefully planned and carried out this act of violence against their perceived enemies, did so out of what they thought was religious devotion and national pride.
Bear in mind, as I say this, that the vast majority of their fellow Muslims were just as horrified by this violence as the rest of the world: maybe even more so, because they knew better than others what a vile perversion of the Islamic faith Al Qaeda believed and taught. These attackers were so committed to their vision of a world in thrall to their narrow interpretation of Islam, that they saw everyone who did not agree as an enemy, deserving of death.
Jesus' teaching was the opposite: rather than wishing death on our enemies, we are commanded to pray and wish blessings upon them. Islam, as practiced by most Muslims across the world, has similar teachings. Faith does not grow through violence or political coercion, full stop. In fact, the very moment when we begin to use violence in service to our faith, Jesus teaches, we have stopped living according to it.
I continue to stop for a moment every September 11, and grieve the many lives lost. I also say a prayer for the future, that the peaceful way of Jesus would prevail, first and foremost in the hearts of his followers.
For more background information read this statement from the ELCA's presiding bishop, or learn about Christians Against Christian Nationalism.
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