The Last 10 Years

Yesterday was the anniversary of the attacks on America by some radical men. I first wanted to say the attack on the World Trade Center but that leaves out the Pentagon and the plane that went down in Pennsylvania. I don't want to forget them. The people that responded to those tragedies were heroes too. In fact the people on the plane who determined that they were going to give their lives so others may live may be the bravest heroes. (Yes Firefighters and Police officers are heroes too. I have great respect for both of those professions.)

Last night while watching a program that showed memorials all over the world my hubby and I were talking about how it affected the World, not just America. He said that even Muslims were remembering with us. Well....that got me thinking (which is never a good thing) about the way we view people.

I asked him if he was scared of white men in their twenties, He laughed and said no. I reminded him of the Oklahoma City bomber and how he was a white guy and he blew up that building for something he believed in too, except he wasn't willing to die for his cause. We look at Timothy McVeigh and say "Not all Christians are like that" we know that is true. We know that we can't judge an entire population of people because of what one or two do. Surely we Christians don't want to be like that right?

Now what about Muslims? Can we judge an entire population of people because of what a few did? Yes there are still who want to kill Americans, but do you remember the KKK in the forties and fifties who wounded, maimed and killed untold numbers of people because they were black? We still don't judge ALL Americans or ALL Christians because of the callous acts of these few. The majority of Muslims are like you and me, they go to work everyday, they go grocery shopping, put gas in the car, take their children to soccer and dance, come home and cook dinner. Why judge ALL Muslims by the callous acts of a few?

Yes I want Muslims to be won to Christ. I want them to know the Truth but are we being, am I being what they need to see? Am I loving? Compassionate? Can I look past the hijab they wear to see the true person? Can I see that they don't agree with the radical Muslims no more that I agree with the radical Christians?

I have been thinking about this all day. I know some will be upset and call me a liberal because I don't think all Muslims all evil. If I want them to see me as I am then in turn I must see them as they are.

I think Matthew 5:44 says it all "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"