a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
I hate violence. In many ways, I am a pacifist. I don't believe that any good ever comes about from people engaging in violent acts. However, violence is not limited to physical acts. One can speak violence and do harm to another person just as easily as if they had launched a grenade. Unfortunately, our sin nature dictates that such violent aggressions be met with equal or greater violent responses.
Such is the case with the current unrest in the Muslim world over the ill-conceived anti-Muslim movie that was recently posted on the internet. I do not know what possessed the maker of this film to produce it, or what reasonable outcome he expected as a result. It would appear that his intent was to stir up anti-Muslim sentiment and to consciously provoke a violent response. While I am a firm believer in our American value of free speech protections, I also believe that free speech without conscience can be a dangerous thing. This movie is a violent act of aggression against an entire religion. Considering that some adherents to this religion are notoriously anti-American, one could reasonably expect that violent outbursts would ensue.
Sadly, many innocent lives have already been lost in the crossfire. People who had absolutely nothing to do with this movie died simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I have no sympathy for those extremist radicals who have perpetrated these deadly attacks on our consulates and embassies, as well as those of some of our allies. There is a right way and a wrong way to respond to something that deeply insults not only your religion, but your entire way of life. This is the wrong way.
Regardless of what many westerners seem to think, the majority of the billion-plus Muslims in the world are peaceful people. Most of them have lived with war and conflict their entire lives, and want nothing more than to live in peace with their neighbors, both locally and internationally. They are not represented by the minority of militant extremists who insist on using any excuse to vilify the "infidels" and wreak havoc and mayhem against them. Whether the initial attack in Libya on September 11 was premeditated or spontaneous, the fact is such acts of aggression are inconsistent with the overall values of the Muslim people. Since that time, there have been pleas from Muslims around the world to be viewed as peaceful people, completely disassociated from these extremists.
As an American, and more importantly, as a Christian, what should my response be to these horrific events that have occurred (and are still occurring)? Unlike some people, my first response is not to shoot first and ask questions later. I applaud our President and his administration for maintaining level heads in the midst of this outrage, seeking to take the high road to whatever resolution is possible. History has taught us that violence in response to violence solves nothing, and will only end badly. I pray for the families and loved ones of those who have been murdered in the line of duty. I pray that calm heads will prevail, and that religious and political leaders throughout the Muslim world will work to restore peace in their midst and to bring the perpetrators to justice. I also pray for the man who is responsible for making this movie. I pray that he will realize his grievous mistake in inciting such violence (how could he not know that something like this will happen?), and that somehow he will find a way to correct his error. I also pray for all Americans, that we will not collectively demonize Muslims in general because of the evil acts of a few.
The wise King Solomon stated that there is a time for everything. We've had a time of killing and tearing down and war. Now it's time for healing, building up, and peace. May God bless us all.
Have a blessed week!
Pastor David
