Let me start with a scripture:43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt alove thy bneighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, aLove your benemies, cbless them that dcurse you, do egood to them that fhate you, and gpray for them which despitefully use you, and hpersecute you;
Matt. 5: 43-44
Alright - I believe this is truly how we are to behave. I have not always been perfect in obeying it, but I do think it is the very most basic nugget of Truth in how we should treat people who disagree with us.
Now then, I have received this hateful little forward half a dozen freaking times (Heaven knows I love the forwards that make me crazy; inspiring, they are):
WOW! WHAT A LETTER!
Letter from one 'Angry Woman'
I don't know who wrote it but they should have signed it. Some powerful words. This woman should run for president.
Written by a housewife from New Jersey and sounds like it! This is one ticked off lady.
'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?
Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan , across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?
Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?
And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.
I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.
I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia
I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for chopping off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.
I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.
I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide .
I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.
In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.
When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.
When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.
When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.
And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and-you guessed it-I don't care!!
If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!
If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:
'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan
I have another quote that I would like to add AND.......I hope you forward all this.
'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under' Also by.. Ronald Reagan
One last thought for the day:
In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
YOU MIGHT WANT TO PASS THIS ON,
AS MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM.
AMEN!
I find it's content vile and spiteful. Protected by anonymity, she abuses the name of my Savior and all military people, taking their names in vain to sign her letter.
If the United States want to be thought of as a moral and righteous nation, we can not fight dirty, we can not seek revenge and call it justice. We must treat our enemies with dignity, respect, and humanity, even if the crimes of which they are accused are atrocious. Prisoners must have rights, the same rights we would want our soldiers to have if they were detained. They must have access to lawyers and be given a fair and speedy trial. We have to do everything by the book, the most right because we are an example to the world, we have been blessed far beyond any other nation.
Please, stop forwarding this anti-Christian poison. Stop blaming all of Islam for the sins of a few. Don't allow your anger, grief, and loss to blind you and justify evil retaliation. Or if you can't, please don't use the name of Jesus in place of your own. Have the courage, at least, to put your name at the bottom. But, when you die and come to the Lord, face to face, pray you don't hear this:
"...I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Matthew 7:23
Sincerely,
Brandy Roth
5 Brilliant Bits of Inspiration:
Well said!
I'll second that-- this is insanity, and you called it out just right.
Bravo.
I too find the letter's boastful apathy and hatred disturbing.
That sort of attitude only perpetuates violence. Yes, 9/11 was a horrible day. But it doesn't give us the unrestricted right to kill or claim absolute victimization. Most of all, we shouldn't abandon our principles. It's precisely during difficult times that we most need ethical and moral beliefs and behaviors.
Also, it's clear the writer of this e-mail doesn't understand Islam. She would probably be surprised to learn that Islam teaches Jesus was a holy prophet. There's also a lot of ignorance and general confusion about religion, for example the line about terrorists seeking nirvana. But that's just one (small) example of the general lack of thinking and feeling exhibited in this vitriolic letter.
The writer doesn't understand Islam, or the heart of Christianity for that matter.
Thank you for this post, Brandy.
I agree with V. up there- this woman does not have an understanding of Islam. We should not let the actions of extremists define religions, that is very dangerous and Christians should recognize that!!!!
Thank you for the scripture. While it is so hard to look at people causing harm and still feel compassion for them, that should be out life's work. And regardles of the religion we follow, that is what our great religious leaders hae done. Jesus Christ did that, and we also see the Dalai Lama doing that too, he is compassionate towards the Chinese, people who have killed thousands of Tibetans and he has been in exile from his homeland for decades, but he still loves them and forgives them. He works at this every day.
In considering this woman's anger and her "I don't care"ing about most everything and everyone, I am reminded of a lesson from the Buddha:
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned."
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