we had a "facebook" conversation going on yesterday regarding the building of the proposed mosque near ground zero. i listed my reasons why i don't think that it should be built. my main reason was because i believe that it is a burial ground for those that died there and it should remain a memorial to them. after much soul searching last night i am going to confess my sin to you right now; the other reason was because of my hatred towards the muslim world. the devil is winning in my heart.
the united states has a long, terrible history of racism and prejudices. it has scarred us and damaged us. i have a hard time writing this because i will i have to admit that have my own prejudices. i hoped when our president was a elected that a lot of the seeds of racism would began to heal, but in my opinion we have only gotten worse. a lot of americans will never be able to accept having a black man in office, and one that they feel is too sympathetic to the muslim world after what happened on 9/11. i am beginning to feel though that our president has just as much hatred as we do. not for the muslim world, but for us. he is no better than the rest of us.
as a christian, i do not believe that islam is the path to GOD, pure and simple. am i being tolerate with other religions yes, but not to islam. i have been grouping the radicals with the non. i have been basing my decisions on my hatred for the radicals and not on what scripture teaches me; love your enemies just as you would your neighbor and yourself.
we are all guilty of some form of racism and prejudice. our world shows us this everyday. from the beginning of time we have had prejudices. the middle east persecutes israel. the iranian president alone believes the holocaust never happened. the jewish people are just as guilty of this persecution. so, whom is better in the eyes GOD - no one.
whites have persecuted the black man because of the color of their skin. black men have persecuted white men because of the color of their skin. we aren't any different than the middle east and jerusalem. when are we going to stop? when are we going to reach out to GOD to find the truth and stop the devil from corrupting us? sooner or later we are going to have forgive what has happened, because we are going to be judged harshly by the hand GOD at the gates heaven. we must show grace just has HE has showed each one of us grace.
GOD created all of the trials we face in the world, and we have failed by allowing them to continue. the devil plays on our hatreds. the devil feeds them. this is no longer about the color of our skin, our race, our religion, this is about being a child of GOD.
"love must be sincere, hate what is evil; cling to what is good. be devoted to one another in brotherly love. honor one another above yourselves. never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving in the LORD. be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. share with GOD's people who are in need. practice hospitality. bless those that who persecute you; bless and do not curse. rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. live in the harmony with one another. do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. do not be conceited. do not repay evil for evil. be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for GOD's wrath, for it is written: it is MINE to avenge; i will repay, says the LORD. on the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. in doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. do not overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good." romans 12:9-21
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