Recent headlines have indicated worldviews clashing in our nation’s capital (well, all headlines pretty much indicate clashing worldviews, but I am speaking about some specific declarations). If you have not heard, Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has brought some issues before our representatives. He is concerned about Islam; specifically, its increasingly radical nature in America.
While this discussion is certainly merited based upon the possibility of a so-called “home-grown” threat from radical American Muslims, King has come under some criticism for singling out the Muslim community. The political Left has labeled it “New McCarthyism” and a “witch-hunt.” Fears abound that it may cause a spread of Islamopobia amongst citizens, possibly resulting in violence to Muslims themselves.
While the Muslim community faces these recent events, the Christian community is discussing the release of Pastor Rob Bell’s new book, Love Wins; A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived.
Rob Bell has also faced criticism for his book, but this coming from the Religious Right. In his book, Bell discusses Christian eschatological issues as they should apply to non-believers, and apparently, opens the doors of redemption a bit too wide for most Christians’ comfort.
While seemingly unrelated, it seems to me that American Christians can see the thread here between the political and religious existence of these two stories. We are faced with an interesting question: How do we approach the “religious other,” especially when their political rights are not so “other”?
Bell’s more universalistic perspective softens attitudes between different religions. Something about the stance of “Hey, you’re ok with my God and Savior, spend eternity with us,” presented to another faith disarms conflict and also encourages cooperation.
Likewise, (and I have not data for this) it seems like it might be just a teeny bit easier to disrespect, ignore, or even discriminate against other religious groups if you think, “Well, they just haven’t got a ticket into paradise. They’re not ok with my God.”
Maybe Bell’s book scares some Christians not because it creates a breakdown in doctrine, but that his perspective might require a more wholesome embrace to those non-believers this side of eternity.
And maybe King’s political crusade scares some Liberals not because it represents a breakdown in equality and justice, but more because it begs the real issue of a needed investigation into dangers in our society.
In the end, it may seem we must declare that we should work to give respect and dignity to those within our political arena, regardless of religious beliefs. We must also declare that no matter what eternal judgments I may have about a certain ideology or religious belief, those perspectives can be no excuse to treat others badly in this life.
Who really knows if Muslims will join Christians in eternity? Or if Christians will join Muslims? Or if Americans will join Palestinians? Regardless of what we believe our holy texts tell us about these eschatological questions, the answers should not shape how we treat our fellow man. Eternity or not, Muslim or Christian, American or Somalian, a living human deserves love and respect within or without our religious and political borders.
