I am writing about people who are so narrow minded they refuse to listen to anyone else's point of view. Specifically I would like to address those who are intolerant of religions they know little about.
As a Latter-day Saint, I am used to people not knowing what I believe, who I worship, or how I chose to live my life. I have had plenty of one way conversations where someone tells me "what I believe", and what they say is grossly incorrect. But today, I'm not writing to talk about that. I am writing to speak out for my friends of other faiths who are constantly being picked on because of misunderstandings about their religion.
Tonight my husband is covering a meeting where they are voting to approve the building of a new mosque. Some 4000+ Muslims would like to build a mosque where they can meet and worship together. They would like a place to gather together, just like so many of us do on Sundays, to worship their God.
Some people have voiced legitimate concerns with this proposal. One was "parking will become a nightmare in this area". This is a problem in which a reasonable agreement and solution can be reached. However, another voice concerned was, "It's what they are doing in the mosque - they are not teaching them to love their neighbors".
Seriously? Do you think this lady has ever been inside a mosque? Probably not.
I have.
You know what they did? They allowed us to come in and watch as they said their evening prayer. They spoke to us about their beliefs and how they believe Jesus was a messenger sent from God! Jesus is mentioned more by name in the Qur'an than Muhammad, their own prophet! Although Christians and Muslims obviously differ in beliefs about what role Jesus plays in history and our respective religions, Muslims share like views with Christians on many issues.
The woman who said they are not learning to love their neighbors is probably thinking of the small minority of Islam followers who are involved in terrorist attacks. She is most likely fearful because she does not understand their religion and does not realize that just like any other faith, there are different sects. In Christianity we have Catholics, Baptists, Mormons, and many others. While we share many common beliefs, we differ highly in some major areas like our beliefs about the Godhead.
In Islam, there are Sunnis, Shiites, and other sects too. Jihad to those who would choose to terrorize others, means holy war in a literal way. For the overwhelming majority of others, it means the spiritual war within ourselves to overcome the desires of the natural man. The struggle we each face to have our will aligned with God's, and to choose good over evil. Shouldn't that be everyone's goal?
Tonight the new mosque was approved to be built 5-0. I am happy for my Muslim friends who will finally have their own place to worship. From what I understand the majority of the meeting was about traffic and parking concerns, with very few people saying hateful things, and that makes me glad too. It always gives me a glimmer of hope when I see our 1st Amendment rights being upheld!
So should you ever find yourself in a conversation in which you know nothing about the topic at hand, learn about it or learn to walk away.
Some people have voiced legitimate concerns with this proposal. One was "parking will become a nightmare in this area". This is a problem in which a reasonable agreement and solution can be reached. However, another voice concerned was, "It's what they are doing in the mosque - they are not teaching them to love their neighbors".
Seriously? Do you think this lady has ever been inside a mosque? Probably not.
I have.
You know what they did? They allowed us to come in and watch as they said their evening prayer. They spoke to us about their beliefs and how they believe Jesus was a messenger sent from God! Jesus is mentioned more by name in the Qur'an than Muhammad, their own prophet! Although Christians and Muslims obviously differ in beliefs about what role Jesus plays in history and our respective religions, Muslims share like views with Christians on many issues.
The woman who said they are not learning to love their neighbors is probably thinking of the small minority of Islam followers who are involved in terrorist attacks. She is most likely fearful because she does not understand their religion and does not realize that just like any other faith, there are different sects. In Christianity we have Catholics, Baptists, Mormons, and many others. While we share many common beliefs, we differ highly in some major areas like our beliefs about the Godhead.
In Islam, there are Sunnis, Shiites, and other sects too. Jihad to those who would choose to terrorize others, means holy war in a literal way. For the overwhelming majority of others, it means the spiritual war within ourselves to overcome the desires of the natural man. The struggle we each face to have our will aligned with God's, and to choose good over evil. Shouldn't that be everyone's goal?
Tonight the new mosque was approved to be built 5-0. I am happy for my Muslim friends who will finally have their own place to worship. From what I understand the majority of the meeting was about traffic and parking concerns, with very few people saying hateful things, and that makes me glad too. It always gives me a glimmer of hope when I see our 1st Amendment rights being upheld!
So should you ever find yourself in a conversation in which you know nothing about the topic at hand, learn about it or learn to walk away.
