When the "enemy" becomes your friend.

I find it most interesting that I was so ignorant about so much of Islam. I say that laughingly because I was always the person saying "no, that's not in the Qu'ran, no that's not something that is taught to Muslims" etc etc etc.

I decided to take a class this semester called "Islam: History, Philosophy, and Religion". The class is taught by a religious studies professor and a practicing Muslim. She was born in Turkey, but is a US citizen. She also, until recently, was on the board for the ACLU. This is all important to her identity.

I was completely ignorant about this beautiful religion. I had no idea what was included in the Qu'ran (plenty of stories about Adam, Abraham and Jesus). I had no idea the rich history and tradition that is essential to Islam. I had no idea the racial make up of Muslim in the United States (1/3 African American, 1/3 Indian, Indonesian, and 1/3 Middle Eastern). I had no idea of the cultural effect of certain countries and the direct correlation to their ideas about Islam. I was completely ignorant. That was just weeks 1 and 2!

The story that broke my heart and really opened my eyes was a story she told about her daughter. Her daughter was 5 when 9/11 happened. Several weeks after the attacks, her daughter came and said, "Mama, Why are all Muslims so bad?" (they are of course practicing Muslims, so her daughter is referring to herself and her parents too). A 5 year old had learned through media and school that all Muslims are bad. Why do we not see the crime in this?

It's not simple enough to just say "well they have religious freedom". We need to take a stand against those who are trying (and succeeding) in dehumanizing our Islamic brothers and sisters. Learn more about Islam, learn more about people you may know who are Muslim, stop hate language by protesting or writing letters to those who use it in mainstream media or politicians who use it. Yes we have freedom of speech, we also have the freedom of speech to protest the words used to oppress people.

Am I asking you to worship with Muslims? Certainly not, unless you'd like to and you are welcomed. Am I asking you to convert to Islam? I would never ask anyone to convert or change their beliefs simply to be more open to someone else. All I'm asking is for some basic understanding and a little more love in this world.

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." -- Martin Luther King Jr.

God bless the world. No exceptions.

I feel like when I say this, people feel like I'm just paying lip service. That somehow I'm just "pretending" to care about the whole world. The truth is, I'm not, I mean it. At least in theory. Forgiveness, grace. They are hard things to remember. Especially on a day like today.

Today's lectionary text was the Matthew text in which Jesus tells Peter to forgive 70x7. As the preacher stood and told us that we continually forgive to get better at it and eventually achieve true forgivenss my cynical mind couldn't help wondering...How many of us actually do this? As a culture, we hold grudges, we revel in fear.



This particular image doesn't exactly represent the "best" of our society in so many ways. But it represents the idea of 70x7 forgiveness. We must continually work to forgive this image of people. We extend grace to those who both need it and those who may or may not WANT it.

This particular image was hard for me. POTSC is an amazing organization that helps me to live a better life, but I can't help remembering hurtful things in my own life. One of the last stigmas in church is "loud" children. I have two wonderful little boys (2 and 6 months) who go to church and chapel often. My oldest son "breaks the bread" during meals. However, they aren't known for being "quiet" and let's be honest, how many two year olds are awake and quiet?

*I* have the loud kid in church. THE PASTOR (well, student pastor, but you get my meaning). When I sit in chapel (at school) with my children, who are talking or whining because they want to run around, I sit terrified that someone is going to glare at me. Why? Because I'll be full of all this anger at them for their judgement and too much of a coward to stay. So I'll pack up my things and leave with the kids and that person WINS.

They don't win for God though. They aren't showing grace to my children. They aren't showing grace to me. However, that doesn't mean I can't give them the grace and forgive them. This poster reminds me of that. I hope it helps me to be able to do that.


And may God bless the whole world. No exceptions.


This post is part of an initiative by People of the Second Chance (POTSC). POTSC is launching the NEVER BEYOND Poster Series: 25 posters representing well known historical, current and fictional characters who are believed to have harmed society. This campaign consists of digital and print posters and the full collection will eventually be displayed as a touring art exhibit.