burn notice

Some more thoughts from this whole Qur'an-burning fiasco...

I noticed an article in today's news about a rally in Amarillo, in which a leader of a group called Repent Amarillo had announced that he was going to burn a copy of the Qur'an. A large group turned out to protest, a mixture of all stripes and spiritual tenets. They found unity in their protest of destroying anyone's sacred literature, but it fell on deaf ears of Repent's leadership. The man soaked the book in kerosene and was preparing to ignite it. But as something distracted him from his mission, a young man with a skateboard stepped up, snatched the intended kindling and ran off shouting, "Dude, you have NO Qur'an!" He then returned the book to an imam there in the park while the burner reportedly wandered off.

Now it's enough to know that there are more fire-starters out there besides that Floridian pastor. What's worse (to me, at least) is to see the way this group, Repent Amarillo, is characterized. The NY Daily News describes them as a group that crusades against promiscuity, homosexuality and non-Christians. Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of those first two practices (although being against non-Christians escapes me), but as someone who wears the name of Christ, I'm so frustrated seeing others who claim the same name being known for what they're they're against, rather than what they're for. Isn't this how the world has categorized us for far too long? People too often stereotype Christians as spoil-sport, lemon-puckered, hypocritical downers, who live almost exclusively by the mantra, thou shalt not. While we know that's not the case (it's not the case, is it?) for most of us, there's just enough evidence of such thinking to reinforce the perception. And, believe me, in something like this, perceived reality IS reality.

When I read the Gospels, I don't see Jesus as a "thou shalt not" kind of guy...except, maybe, when he engaged self-sufficient, smug religious leaders. Otherwise, Jesus was inclusive- he welcomed people from different backgrounds, activities, philosophies, and castes. He never condoned sin, but opened his arms to sinners; never compromised a principle, but always made room for those trying to figure out the bigger picture. He understood the value of showing people what he wanted them to be and how he wanted them to live, and didn't simply scold them about what they shouldn't do or be.

Oh, that people would see us as those who bring good news, whose lives are like salt, and not pepper in our influence and impact in this world. Those who may take stands unpopular with culture, but who are engaging and inviting toward those who need to understand why such stands are made. It's not enough for me to want to be disassociated with people like Terry Jones or Repent Amarillo; it's my challenge to interact with my culture in such a way that people will see something- and Someone- different in me.

You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

-Mahatma Ghandi