I'm back to bring the heat

So my trip was great and in other post I'll talk about it, but today I gotta bring my "rantsters" some heat.  I've left you waiting way too long. Today's topic is going to get heated real quick, not because of language or sexuality, it's because of religious freedom and being truly American.  Right off the bat I'm going to make these three things very clear.  I am a Christian.  Always have been, always will be.  I believe in America and the varied opportunities it offers a free people. Finally, I believe in humanity. Plain and simple.  Now on to my rant.

Today I read one of many articles that have come up bashing President Obama.  Usually I don't put deep stock into them, but today's article really hit a nerve with me.  In New York, in the shadow of Ground Zero An Islamic mosque and community center is to be built.  After a much heated debate from both sides of the discussion, it is being allowed to move forward  in its construction.  President Obama came out with a statement at the end of Ramadan supporting the center and what it stands for. 

"This is America," Obama said, "and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakeable. The principle that people of all faiths are welcome in this country, and will not be treated differently by their government, is essential to who we are."

From this statement people have began saying that Obama has "abandoned" America. Abandoned America?  How does supporting the right to worship when and where you will abandoning our nation?  It's an absolutely ridiculous and a prejudice thing to say! 9-11 was a horrible look into the depths of religious and political fanaticism.  It is in no way the standard by which all Islamic people live, and is it fair to condemn a whole cultural group because of the horrid decisions of a small sect?

If so, white people should never be allowed to open a company, own homes or have republican conventions.  The "foreign" anglo people who came to this country, killed and drove the natives off there land, brought African slaves and indentured servants to America, and even fought a war over whether or not to allow blacks to be a free people!  Once the war was fought and lost, black people were still lynched and decapitated all over the south and denied rights simply because of there skin color. Members of the LDS Church were tarred and feathered, drug from there homes and killed at night.  Driven across the plains of America for their way of believing in God. Because they wanted the freedom to practice as they wish.  More blood has been shed by the people who called this land home than anyone from the outside.

Yet I don't get up in arms when a white person  has a confederacy flag.  I don't freak out because there are still standing plantations.  I have never told anyone that they were insensitive for paying tribute to our nations founding leaders or Thomas Jefferson.  You know why?  Because I don't hold accountable a whole group of people for what one small sect has done. When someones hate issues or fanaticism problems are directed towards me, I don't blame their whole religion or cultural group! That's insane! We are a country with forgiveness built into its framework. That's how we have survived.  We need not forget our history in the wake of other disasters.

I have no earthly idea what the families of 9/11 went through or are continually going through.  That kind of loss I cannot fathom.  However, I know that continually cycling hate and insensitivity does not bring comfort.  It will not undo the damage of the past.  The thing is we have to move forward.  Allow our country to be what we say we are. We are a nation built on freedom. If we want to move forward I believe we have to have faith in humanity.  This mosque could build bridges of community, unity and faith (as it will be open to the public).  Why not take the time to learn what it truly means to be Islamic?  The only thing we see in the media are the radical depictions. I don't believe anyone would purposefully build a mosque in an area to be provocative and even if they did, how about showing real American spirit and welcoming them instead of sending back a message of hate.

Its time to move forward with faith.  Faith in the humanity of all people.  Faith in the resilience of the American people.  Faith in the government and what they  can do.  Finally, Faith in God.  I don't care what God you believe in, be faithful to your beliefs.  I know as a Christian, my belief is to counter hate with love and that's just what I'm going to do.

Love you all!

Coop

WWJSTC (When Will Jesus Stop These Crazies!)

So today I was hipped to a video posted by Pastor Wayne Sapp (such a fitting last name) about "International burn the Koran Day" Sept. 11 2010.  This seems more like "idiotic christian fanatic hypocrisy day" to me.  I was so thoroughly offended that it took me an entire day to gather my thoughts for this post.  I attached the video so you can see it for yourself.  Now I am a Christian, I believe in Christ and the words in the bible (so far as I can interpret them on my own because obviously people get the message screwed up),  and no where in the good book have I read "Thou shalt demean another religion because thou art better than them."  Maybe I am missing it.  I sure would like to find out where it is, because I'm at a loss of words trying to figure out why he is even worried about them.  I mean doesn't he have  a flock of mindless sheep to lead to there destruction?

I tell you what I have read in the Bible, and you would be shocked to know that it has nothing to do with burning other faiths holy books. In Matthew 22 Jesus is asked what is the great commandment.  Hi response is simple, " Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first great commandment.  And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as THYSELF."

WOW!  How about that! You aren't supposed to hate someone because they don't have your same belief. you are suppose to love them as you would love yourself.  Now if you are suicidal that might pose a problem for us being friend, but I digress.  The point is whatever someone chooses to believe is their choice.  It's not my or pastor whackjob's  duty to dictate that they are evil or not.  I again distinctly remember reading in Matthew 7 that it is not your job to judge your fellow man.

Either way Christians, Athiests, Muslims, Agnostics, Goddesses, people in general need to speak up and speak out against such blatant attacks on humanity.  These actions only further the disparity in the human family.  I believe that what ever God, or entity, or nothing you believe in did not put us hear to hate.