There has been a lot of chatter since the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. about the highjacking of a legitimate, mainstream, and honorable religion, Islam. Few westerners had comprehensive knowledge of the faith, but felt it was comforting to believe that the vast majority of the world's 3rd largest religion was not gunning for "infidels" and was, in fact, peaceful. At the same time there was an undercurrent of intellectuals (Salman Rushdie, and some less learned pundits) who made the case that Islam was inherently intolerant and subversive.
What we in the West seem unable to grasp is that Christianity as well has gone through a centuries long highjacking as well. Most modern evangelicals and extreme right "christians" preach hate, biased judgment, intolerance, punitive redress & retribution, and moral imposition. When you actually study Christ's teachings, it becomes apparent that he'd roll over in his grave if he could hear the stuff that's being spouted in his name, not to mention the centuries long religious cleansing and wars; remember the Spanish Inquisition?
I just can't grasp why my marriage's value and worth is somehow diminished by someone else's marriage, whether it be gay or straight. Love and commitment are just that, right?
A great example of how the right treats love, commitment, and kids' needs.
2 comments:
Agree entirely. Good post.
Thanks!
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