Dear Partner in Prayer!
As the anniversary for the September 11th attacks quickly approaches, headlines have become crowded with stories about Islam. For weeks, the media has been reporting on the growing controversy of the Cordoba House, a proposed mosque and Islamic center near the Ground Zero site.
Many Americans are upset about the idea of a mosque so close to the place of the terrorists attack and they have not sat by quietly. Protests have erupted across the nation, and violence has not been far behind. Just last week, a young man stabbed a taxi driver because he was Muslim. Others have vandalized mosques and teenagers allegedly fired off guns outside of a mosque.
Another very disturbing act of retaliation comes from a church in Florida. They have declared September 11th as "Burn a Koran Day." In a field behind their church, they plan to toss at least 200 Qur'ans into a bonfire as a means of condemning Islam and terrorists. Their Facebook page for the event has about 14,000 members.
I have to wonder, what is their goal? What bridges are being built? Although they want to show that Islam is a false religion, they are doing nothing to promote the love of Christ. In fact, they are doing the opposite.
Although, as Christians, we struggle with Islam as a religion, we need to show love and respect. As followers of Christ, we want to share the Truth but in love. This act is not showing the love of Christ. 1 Peter 3:9 tells us, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing."
If your Muslim friend mentions this event, I encourage you to apologize on behalf of this church. Explain that they are not reflecting the actions of a follower of Christ. Show them specific examples of how a Christian should act, such as Colossians 3:12 where Paul writes, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
This week, pray that God would use the tragedy of 9/11 to bring glory to His name and that He would send rainclouds to Florida to cancel "Burn a Koran Day."
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