Dying for your religion and, I might add, your country.Jason Burke, writing for the Observer magazine, reminds us that Islam can be contradictory about martyrdom. “Like most beliefs, Islam is a religion of peace that has to accept that it can also breed terror…
“Yet before we embark on a round of religious finger-pointing, we should note that all major faiths are the same. They can all offer help for different needs and agendas. Think of the muscular Christianity of imperialist, Victorian Britain (or, indeed, of contemporary America) or Hinduism’s lunatic fringe. In Sri Lanka, even smiley, happy Buddhism has exacerbated one of the most vicious civil conflicts of our time.”
We’ve grown up with movies that tell us dying for your country can be as grand as martyrdom for Christianity. Including “Alamo”, John Wayne died for his country three times. Not too shabby for the most famous draft dodger in WW2.
What’s this business about “Islam is a religion of peace?” It’s not. Neither is Christianity. This is the secret handshake of the religious: don’t you dare say anything disparaging about my delusion, and I won’t dare to criticize yours.
Faith, or I might rather say “unquestioning belief,” is the problem. It’s not the solution to anything.
If these religions would condemn their radical elements rather than ignore them, perhaps their would be fewer problems.
As a Christian I condemn those radicals who would kill or harm an abortion doctor because that is not how the religion is to be practiced.
As for dying for religion or country, dying for what you believe is a completely different issue from killing others for not sharing your beliefs.
As far dying for ones country goes, General George Patton said “The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.”
You can debate and attack Christian beliefs, but it remains a fact you are allowed to do this in a country that was Christian and developed it’s rights and government under Christian beliefs. Today we continue towards paganism in almost every venue, and we are losing our rights and ability to defend ourselves from groups such as Muslims. Name a Muslim country where you can openly debate to virtues of Islam, Christianity or anything else?
Even a peaceful Muslim is still an enabler for those willing to commit violence. The Koran repeatedly advocated violence against Christians, Jews and Atheists. It’s either convert or die. That’s our future, and remember, they believe in beheading unbelievers, ever read Revelations in the Bible.