With President Obama’s strong statement in support of the followers of Islam’s right to build a Mosque in New York near the site of the fallen twin towers, the issue is more in the news than ever. At the heart of the question is one of the treasured values of our United States of America, the very first amendment to our constitution:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
With all the rhetoric and fear mongering, it seems many no longer support this valuable and national strength-building piece of our constitution. It sounds like some, even Christians, wish for it to call for religious freedom unless you are Muslim. The early leaders of our “free” nation were all too familiar with state churches and the mandating of some religious test for holding office. In this new land of freedom, Jefferson was particularly interested in both “freedom of and freedom from religion!”
It is good that our nation never adopted a “state church” and instead has been a place where religious freedom was highly valued. Sure, there are religions and sects and spiritual teachings we may think we would be better off without, but our stance has been that religion’s free exercise is between a believer and their “god” regardless of anyone’s opinion.
Mosque, temple or church, local authorities can make it as difficult as they choose to build and occupy a facility. But as long as the codes are followed, and as long as they are applied equally to all, freedom must be maintained.
Undoubtedly, many who support the Muslim’s right to religious freedom simply wish those of that faith who are involved in the building of the structure might be more sensitive to their chosen location in NYC considering it was extremists from the Muslim faith who were responsible for the 9/11 attack.
This all reminds me of Pastor Martin Niemöller’s famous, "First they came ..."
"THEY CAME FIRST for the Communists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist.
THEN THEY CAME for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist.
THEN THEY CAME for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew.
THEN THEY CAME for me
and by that time no one was left to speak up."
Seventh-day Adventists have a long track record of being major supporters of “religious liberty.” Our eschatology predicts a day when religious freedoms will be repudiated with a return to a religious-political rule. Speaking up now in support of the First Amendment may help us not repeat Niemöller’s experience. Freedom for all!
Andy McDonald
Well said, Andy. You put into text the thoughts that have been swirling around in my head on this issue.
ReplyDeleteNiemöeller words also resounded in my mind when heard the news about the matter. In a certain sense I think "religion" conceived as the endorsement of a belief while despising other fellow human beings that see things differently is toxic. As noxious as any addictive drug, and in its name the worst atrocities have been committed. I do not mean that we should not "consciously" apply our best judgment capabilities to accept or reject a set of conceptions about a matter of faith (doctrine), but I do think that upholding this as a standard to establish the value of a human life or right is way beyond the purpose of doctrine itself that is, in my opinion, to equip us for a better service. On the other hand, people that suffered under these tremendously painful circumstance have the right to express their deep emotions, and we should try to make our best effort to understand and listen what is exactly that inner feeling or perception that is reverberating all the way through. Is it fear? Is it prejudice? Is there a misunderstanding? Is it a rightful expectation of respect? Is there reasonable evidence that the whole project is purposefully an act of aggressive religious bravado to the point of affecting others religious freedom?. And of course, there are those opportunists that frankly do not give a penny for either side but who somehow will surely thrive or profit from the conflict. But one way or the other, the Constitution of this great nation is a bulwark that support its blessings, this land was meant to be a refuge for those eager of freedom of conscience; however many take all these freedoms for granted but do not know what really is to live in a nation under a constitution (if there is any) that do not grant any of the rights that are secured in America, just go out there and live in anyone of those countries, get one randomly and you will see the difference. For more, we know, or we foreknow, what is at stake in the days to come, how this beloved Constitution will be debilitated and betrayed to abridge momentum for unfairer situations than this particular one; and as Niemöeller said, if I looked indifferently when others were stripped of their rights, then my rights will be taken away too at the time. Finally, irreverent as it may have sounded in ancient days, James said, and looks like pretty relevant today, that religion is more related to keep a tight rein on one's tongue and look after orphans, widows in their distress... uh-oh... and to keep oneself from being "polluted" by the world, and that's not precisely about the oil spill in the gulf. How can we reconcile this two callings, to honor this Constitution (an eschatological bulwark) and assert James wise appeal for the practical sense of the true religion? I am not fond of the doomsday-religion style but I presume that in the last days (and that's is a very Adventist approach) we will be confronted with increasingly complex and unsolvable conundrums like this and even more difficult ones, because at the end the unique solution will be Our Lord's Coming and that certainty is the truly blessed hope.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog pastor Andy.
(Jaime, still in Washington DC)
6:40. Everymorning. At 6:40 every morning I am awakened by the sounds of prayers being delivered by loudspeaker from the local mosque. On my first morning here in Tanzania, I was alarmed, confused, and annoyed by the chants and chats coming through my bedroom window.
ReplyDeleteBut now, 7 weeks later, I am actually sad when I no longer hear the prayers wafting through my window. Because every morning that I hear those prayers is a beautiful reminder that "our" God is out there, and that someone wants to make him known. Because the mornings that I sleep through the prayers coming from the mosque, are the mornings where God may not cross my mind.
Many believers have a difficult time acknowledging that Muslims, Jews, and Christians all worship the same God. Sure, I believe that our doctrinal approach to the Who, What, Where, When, and How GOD IS may be different, but we worship the same Father. In our Seventh-Day Adventist faith, members have developed their own picture of God. Yes, we are taught theology to unify the perception of the character of God, but we design our own personal view of the Father. I believe that this diversity of perception of God among the individual members of our own denomination would help us better understand how three major groups of "God followers" could have different ways of worshiping-- while still worshiping the same being. But, unfortunately, fear and misunderstanding and lack of education creates the division instead of the unity.
My sincerest hope is that we as Christians support those "God followers" in their endeavors to worship Him. We don't have to always agree with the method. We don't always have to understand it. But we MUST respect the intention. And take the time to educate ourselves on the law of man and the law of God.
And follow it through as it demands.
The Tanzanian woman I have come to love and respect the most, politely refused her meal today. She will politely refuse it for 30 days. And I think we bonded a little more this afternoon because I understood fully why she was fasting without her having to explain it. Ramadan. Look it up. She has ALWAYS respected my SDA views, opinions, and actions. And it felt so good to reciprocate the respect.
Thank you Andy for blogging about this hot topic in American life. Its good to talk about those matters which may force us into discomfort.
Thank you Jaime, exactly my sentiment. Thank you too Pastor Andy. May God continue to give us wisdom and understanding.
ReplyDeleteThis is what apostle Paul is trying to convey to us that salvation is for ALL !!!!
ReplyDelete