Right-wing demagogues are attempting to lasso Christians as they head to the polls this fall, using Islamophobia as a powerful rope.
But what would Jesus do, if He dropped in to discuss the upcoming elections? Specifically, what would He say about and to our growing Muslim-American population? Let me speculate, based on over 15 years of studying Protestant theology and many years of lay service in evangelical churches.
I suspect Jesus would first surprise many well-intentioned people on the left. He wouldn't launch an endless series of interfaith breakfasts aimed at highlighting shared ground among the Abrahamic traditions.
Just as He took on devout figures in the Jewish tradition, He would ask tough questions about whether many devout Muslims, with their myriad and sometimes cumbersome rules and rituals, are straining out gnats while swallowing camels. He would challenge viewpoints and smash many precious idols and a priori assumptions. He would, in short, tick some people off.
But He would also be frank with those of His followers who ignore His command to love and bless and be patient with outsiders. He would point out that, if someone truly is their enemy, that merely triggers their special duty to bless enemies rather than persecute them. He would remind His believers that it's only by their doing so that they mark themselves as being a part of His distinctive Kingdom.
And if they refuse to love in such a costly way, or if they rationalize how such a commandment is "unreasonable" and not meant to be taken seriously, He would declare ("with a mouth like a sword") that they have no place in His Kingdom or His plans.
I suspect the Lord wouldn't smile upon presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich, who has screeched about how Islamic sharia law and gay marriage are twin devils out to undo Western culture. Jesus would likely ask Gingrich a few questions about why one ex-wife complains that he pushed through their divorce terms while she was in the hospital recovering from cancer; and why he seems to have a habit of proposing to one woman while already married to another. "Are you sure," Jesus would ask, "that it's the gays and the Muslims who threaten the way of life that you've been championing?"
Jesus would acknowledge that the American government has a legitimate role to play in looking out for its citizens. But He would tell Christian Americans that, while the Sword belongs to the government, the Cross -- that symbol of suffering and redemption -- is intended for these Christians in their role as His Church. He would then rebuke those followers who are more enamored of the Sword than the Cross, more enamored of exacting justice than of reconciling humanity. Choosing jingoism and nativism above service to His commandments, He would say, is nothing less than an act of idolatry and unbelief.
Leave the government to its sword, He would say, and take up your cross. He would note dryly that American-style consumerism isn't what He died for on His own Cross, and he would ask His followers to stop engaging in culture wars over mosques and sharia.
The Lord would remind American Christians that, while it's wonderful to wave the flag, you shouldn't take your earthly citizenship too seriously. He would quote his own apostle Paul, who reminded Christian citizens of a previous great empire that their primary citizenship was in Heaven, not Rome.
He would explain to Christian Americans that this means that Ground Zero is not hallowed ground: only the Kingdom of Heaven is. And that means that His followers' business isn't to marginalize their Muslim fellow citizens, but to care for them in a manner that no one outside His Kingdom would.
Follow Rob Asghar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/rasghar
Sally Steenland: Correcting the Distorted Lens of Islamophobia
Islam in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1. Jesus would start a store front church around Ground Zero and preach the Gospel according to Charlie Brown.
2. Jesus would take the tour of Central Park and visit John Lennon's site and sing "Imagine"!
3. Jesus would give the world a party and turn the water into wine (hopefully a great one).
4. Jesus would throw a fashion show to celebrate the different garbs of all religious faiths/factions.
5. Jesus would become an inspirational speaker for love and tour the world.
6. Jesus would appear on Fox talk shows and smite the hosts with silence.
7. Jesus would become a judge on American Idol.
8. Jesus would appear as a talking head on Sunday shows and remind people that politics is not for the pulpit.
9. Jesus would place a lot of the television evangelists in rehab for hate.
10. Jesus would chide the mega churches for their gospel of prosperity and promote Charlie Brown.
Just as good as any other answer to this irritating question that is based on the life of a man who lived 2000 years ago.
BTW, he would not join any organized religion.
What would he do? What the Christians should be doing: Feeding them, healing the sick and wounded, calling the powers that be by their true nature "CORRUPT" giving your Cloak when they ask for your shirt (ya know what I mean) Giving Hope and comfort to the afflicted What do Christians of today do? Have you given your money to the poor and fallowed? Have I? For all the wealthy Christians, it is easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. Think of that! Then start your program of GIVING!
Not surprising that many in the Muslim tradition have seen Jesus as the perfect Sufi, who saw beyond the surface of things to their reality.
Thanks for a fine article....
Peace/Salaams/Shalom
Peace
This is the most important thing to practice. :
Do Unto Others, As You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
What would he do? What the Christians should be doing: Feeding them, healing the sick and wounded, calling the powers that be by their true nature "CORRUPT" giving your Cloak when they ask for your shirt (ya know what I mean) Giving Hope and comfort to the afflicted What do Christians of today do? Have you given your money to the poor and fallowed? Have I? For all the wealthy Christians, it is easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. Think of that! The start your program of GIVING!
What would he do? What the Christians should be doing: Feeding them, healing the sick and wounded, calling the powers that be by their true nature "CORRUPT" giving your Cloak when they ask for your shirt (ya know what I mean) Giving Hope and comfort to the afflicted What do Christians of today do? Have you given your money to the poor and fallowed? Have I? For all the wealthy Christians, it is easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. Think of that! The start your program of GIVING!
"What Would I Do if I Were Jesus Regarding Muslim Americans? You Won't Be Surprised"
What would he do? What the Christians should be doing: Feeding them, healing the sick and wounded, calling the powers that be by their true nature "CORRUPT" giving your Cloak when they ask for your shirt (ya know what I mean) Giving Hope and comfort to the afflicted What do Christians of today do? Have you given your money to the poor and fallowed? Have I? For all the wealthy Christians, it is easier for a Camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom. Think of that! The start your program of GIVING!
1) I'm not Christian, but I can acknowledge the fact that when there are global-scale humanitarian crises both here and abroad (from the tsunami a few years ago to Pakistan right now), Western (mostly American) Christians/Christian organizations are by far the largest contributors of aid world-wide. That's just a fact. The wealthy Arab nations are not stepping up to help the Pakistanis, nor are large Muslim organizations. However, Christians (and their organizations) from all over the world are. In numbers that no other group comes close to.
2) Articles like this are just stupid. It's the same with the "What would the founding Fathers Say about X". Where all we're getting is the author's personal opinion about what we should all do, while he/she speaks through the guise of a more authoritative figure.
Maybe someday I'll be surprised and someone will say "You know, Jesus would say x about this, and he would be wrong, I'd say y."
We cannot do what Jesus would do because we are not Divine!
Which the author of this otherwise fine piece somehow overlooked to mention. I suppose though, this thoroughly American trope was just too juicy not to use, nor, to clearly point out-really, that there is no such a thing as a "Christian politics" as he went to great efforts to say in a round-about way.
or to flatly say, if it's a politics, it cannot be Christian!
Jesus told Pilate: "My reign is not of this present kingdom. If my reign was of this present order, my servants would have fought against me being turned over to the Jews. but my Kingdom is not here."
Jesus brought no political message or program.
This is a truth that needs to be emphasized at a time when some of America's Democrats, fearing that Republicans have advanced over them, want to respond that Jesus is on their side. He is not.
He avoided all those who would trap Him into taking sides for or against the Roman occupation of Judea.
The Gospels are scary, dark, and demanding. (Possibly because it was God in human flesh Who was doing the talking). Its not surprising that people want to tame them. dilute them, make them into generic encouragements to be loving, and peaceful, and fair.No politician is going to tell the lustful that they must pluck out their own eyes!
We can use other historical characters as well. What would Odysseus do regarding Muslim Americans? Or Gilgamesh? Or Superman? Whatever you want them to do. Superman probably has the most written about him so it would be the hardest to justify any position, but the others are really malleable.
And if you do not believe me, just ask Jesus. He said that I am right. The only two who disagreed were CeauÅŸescu and Jack the Ripper. Do you really want to be on their side?
The answer might surprise you
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