Epistle to The Dove World Outreach Center

Categories: religion

Tags: Dove World Outreach Center; 9/11; Burn The Koran Day; Radical Islam; Fundamentalist

Date: 08 September 2010 20:54:46

I do not expect to see this published on their blog or to receive a reply from my e-mail that I also sent to them.

Greetings in brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are one and the same body through the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As we suffer together we also share happiness together. As we rejoice together so we also face ridcule and persecution.

When we follow the Lord we walk in His way and follow His teachings. We are here to shine a light in the darkness and to act as salt to add flavour to a tasteless world. It is our duty to show others how the compassion, love and forgiveness of Jesus can change the world.

As we are told in Matthew 7 v 1-2: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

So we are to be careful how we judge others and do not overlook our own sins. We need to remember that when we judge others, people also judge us by our actions. If we are self righteous in our judgement then others will see Christ reflected in this. That is not what Christ is about.

We are human and we react as humans, even as Christians. Our judgement is not "righteous" there is only one Righteous Judge and that is God. As we are told in Psalm 7 v 8: Let the Lord judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity.

Therefore we have no right to judge others by Christ's standards because we are not Christ.

We are also taught that we should love our neighbour as ourself. Is this how you choose to love your neighbour? Do you really loath yourself so much? Yes, the world is split into those who are believers and those who are not. Yet we are not hear to insult those who believe differently to us. We are here to show them the greater love that could be their's by believing in Christ.

Does your hatred of fundamentalist Islam stop you from seeing that you are equally hateful in the eyes of others? Is this really the Christlike image you wish to project?

We do not need to be accepting of those who are sinful, hateful or persecute us. Yet we have a weapon that is far stronger than any that they may possess - we have the love of Christ. Have you thought why they hate us? Because the love of Christ shows how sinful and retched they are, and this scares them.

I understand how horrifying the attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon was to Americans. You finally came face to face with the terrorism that the rest of the world has faced for years. As a trusting and welcoming people this must have shaken your foundations. How could people do this to you?

Yet is the burning of the Koran really the way to show Muslims the love and forgiveness of Christ? Do you wonder why they distrust the Western World so much? Your reaction only angers them and provides evidence to the radical elements that Christians want to destroy Islam. So you are perpetuating the hatred by your actions.

Do you not also consider the members of your own country who are face to face with Muslims day after day? Those people who are serving your country in Iraq and Afghanistan will bear the brunt of the reaction from those elements - not you in Florida. Do you want their deaths and injuries on your conscience?

Are you not surprised that Christians throughout the world are angered and ashamed of your reaction? You are like the Pharisees of Christ's age - blinded by your own self righteousness. You do not recognise that the Christ you worship is not the Christ who came to Earth to save all mankind, without favour. We are all sinners and fallen short of God's grace.

So please hear the call of your brothers and sisters in Christ and turn away from your planned event. Consider the full impact of what you would do on your countrymen and your fellow believers.

By your deeds you will be known. Please think carefully on this. You are loved as members of Christ's family and what you do reflects on all of us.