Sam Bridges
The true idolatry of Muslim extremism
By Sam Bridges
Over the past few weeks, rioting in Europe and the Middle East has been spawned by cartoons depicting Muhammad in an unpleasant, though possibly accurate, manner. Muslim extremists are outraged by this so-called blasphemous "idolatry" of others through caricatures, even though versions of the cartoons were published in Islamic media as well as those that appeared in the Danish press and in other European newspapers. A few questions immediately come to mind, however. If non-Muslims are "infidels," how can these extremists expect the rest of the world to act as if we were Muslim? How can the non-Muslim world be expected to have in-depth knowledge about every obscure tenet of Islam? And given the violent and vicious actions of these countless Muslim extremists, how can they ever expect to receive any respect of their beliefs if these beliefs produce nothing but hatred and brutality?
Sadly, their fanatical legalism is often politically motivated. Increasing evidence demonstrates that these recent flames of mayhem have been fanned by self-serving political hacks posing as religious leaders in the Middle East and in Europe. Muslim extremists should consider trading in their fanatical legalism for a dose of personal responsibility, which has been historically nonexistent and is still absent. They would serve themselves and the rest of the world well by exchanging their complete self-righteousness for a measure of humility and grace.
Yet again, these thugs and murderers wreak havoc on their own countrymen and innocent victims, all in the name of "Allah." Yet again, their practice of ungodly politics is only thinly veiled under an obvious and unfortunate façade of counterfeit spiritualism. Their inconsistency of action and depravity of spirit contradict their endless claims of godliness.
However, these riots are the latest evidence of a much more serious idolatry that should, in fact, have the undivided attention of these Muslim extremists. They themselves are showing their own true idolatry: their seething hatred, their propensity for utter lack of any culpability, and their inclination toward threats, violence, destruction, and murder. Despite what they claim about "Allah," these are the things that are their true god.
Without meaning any disrespect, I suspect that Muhammad himself would agree that this underlying idolatry of self-centeredness and self-righteousness spawned from the pits of hell is much more critical than anything caused by potentially disrespectful cartoons. Furthermore, I believe "Allah" would be appalled by this pattern of hatred, destruction, and death and would be ashamed that it is perpetually attributed to him.
My Western sensibilities are angered by the violence and inconsistency of these heinous riots. But my Christian heart and mind are saddened and grieved as I witness the grip that Satan has on these people. And I must apply to myself the question I previously asked about Islam's view of "infidels": I cannot expect unsaved humanity to act any differently than it does.
"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
Muslims, like every other human, have the problem of a heart contaminated by sin, which will ultimately result in death. Muslims, like every other human, need God's forgiveness and grace. However, His forgiveness and grace cannot be found through following the words of the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad. There is only one Way...only one Door...to having peace with the one true God. God's forgiveness and grace are only available through the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
© Sam Bridges
Over the past few weeks, rioting in Europe and the Middle East has been spawned by cartoons depicting Muhammad in an unpleasant, though possibly accurate, manner. Muslim extremists are outraged by this so-called blasphemous "idolatry" of others through caricatures, even though versions of the cartoons were published in Islamic media as well as those that appeared in the Danish press and in other European newspapers. A few questions immediately come to mind, however. If non-Muslims are "infidels," how can these extremists expect the rest of the world to act as if we were Muslim? How can the non-Muslim world be expected to have in-depth knowledge about every obscure tenet of Islam? And given the violent and vicious actions of these countless Muslim extremists, how can they ever expect to receive any respect of their beliefs if these beliefs produce nothing but hatred and brutality?
Sadly, their fanatical legalism is often politically motivated. Increasing evidence demonstrates that these recent flames of mayhem have been fanned by self-serving political hacks posing as religious leaders in the Middle East and in Europe. Muslim extremists should consider trading in their fanatical legalism for a dose of personal responsibility, which has been historically nonexistent and is still absent. They would serve themselves and the rest of the world well by exchanging their complete self-righteousness for a measure of humility and grace.
Yet again, these thugs and murderers wreak havoc on their own countrymen and innocent victims, all in the name of "Allah." Yet again, their practice of ungodly politics is only thinly veiled under an obvious and unfortunate façade of counterfeit spiritualism. Their inconsistency of action and depravity of spirit contradict their endless claims of godliness.
However, these riots are the latest evidence of a much more serious idolatry that should, in fact, have the undivided attention of these Muslim extremists. They themselves are showing their own true idolatry: their seething hatred, their propensity for utter lack of any culpability, and their inclination toward threats, violence, destruction, and murder. Despite what they claim about "Allah," these are the things that are their true god.
Without meaning any disrespect, I suspect that Muhammad himself would agree that this underlying idolatry of self-centeredness and self-righteousness spawned from the pits of hell is much more critical than anything caused by potentially disrespectful cartoons. Furthermore, I believe "Allah" would be appalled by this pattern of hatred, destruction, and death and would be ashamed that it is perpetually attributed to him.
My Western sensibilities are angered by the violence and inconsistency of these heinous riots. But my Christian heart and mind are saddened and grieved as I witness the grip that Satan has on these people. And I must apply to myself the question I previously asked about Islam's view of "infidels": I cannot expect unsaved humanity to act any differently than it does.
"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9
Muslims, like every other human, have the problem of a heart contaminated by sin, which will ultimately result in death. Muslims, like every other human, need God's forgiveness and grace. However, His forgiveness and grace cannot be found through following the words of the Quran or the teachings of Muhammad. There is only one Way...only one Door...to having peace with the one true God. God's forgiveness and grace are only available through the complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. John 14:6
© Sam Bridges
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