I wish
Submitted by Forgiven on September 21 2001 19:15:05
In reply to the rulers versus the people submitted by Bach on September 21 2001 16:56:12
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that history gave any grounds for your degree of optimism.... 1) The issue of what 'Islam' preaches is, of course as ambiguous as what Christianity teaches; there are of course lots of Muslims who reject what happened; that is not my point, my focus is that those who are committed to the extremist line of theology will not be 'bought off'. The quote about 'jihad' is straight out of the Koran - as I said, the only issue is how they interpret the word. 2) The belief that being nice to them would really have any effect is seriously challenged by the history of the 1930s. It was the basis of the appeasement policy - but failed completely. Luther King's quote is just plain wrong about WWII - it was the power of the allies that overcame the evil of the Nazi and Japanese systems, destroyed them and provided space for a new beginning. 3) 'I believe that it is a strong guiding force that can overcome evil' Perhaps here is the crucial difference between us; my interpretation of what happened on the cross is that it is moment when the conflict between God's justice and God's love is resolved, so that God becomes able to forgive despite the requirements of justice. In that context it is not 'Love' that overcomes, but rather the POWER of God that is victorious. 4) The Romans quote is balanced by the role of the state to protect its citizens from evil doers - indeed the passage discussing this follows IMMEDIATELY the passage you quote..... Which doesn't give the state the right to do evil - but does clearly give it the power of the sword. |
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