There are some posts that I love to write and there are some posts that seem to write themselves in my head. I don't want this to come across as a rant of some sort, but I feel like a few things need to be said and said clearly.
If you have been reading this blog or know anything about our lives, you know that we live in India and live in a neighborhood that is majority Muslim. We are learning language and researching business ideas that will be what we like to describe as, "a blessing to the community." We believe God led us to India and we believe that small sustainable business can help communities. We also follow Jesus and know that he has called us to love our neighbors and share his love and the story of what he has done and what his Kingdom is about among our neighbors.
We have been meeting with a lot of people to share with them about our experiences in India and one question seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongue. Some ask it in curiosity, some ask because they really just don't know, and unfortunately some ask in animosity. What is this question?? In some form or fashion it is something like this:
"Are Muslim's dangerous, are you in constant danger?"
Uggh, where to begin. I don't even know.
As a disclaimer, I write this blog as a follower of Jesus. So the things I say and believe are rooted in the teachings of the Bible. So, if you are reading this and are not a Christian, I can't say how you should or shouldn't see Muslims(although I have my opinions), but if you are a follower of Jesus, it is time for some heart change. It is time to re-read the message of Jesus and realize that this idea that Muslims are bad or horrible is really not okay, in fact it is sinful.
So back to the question, "Are Muslim's dangerous, are you in constant danger?"
The quick answer is no and no. There are estimated to be around 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Are some of them dangerous, sure. Are enough of them dangerous to justify the claim that ALL Muslims are dangerous, absolutely not! Does the media portray them as dangerous and violent, yes. Some of you may read this blog and think, "okay, Kristin likes Muslims and thinks they are nice people. So what?" So my challenge to you is instead of feeling fear or apprehension when you see a Muslim family walk into your grocery store, or your school, or your favorite coffee shop go talk to them. America is full of refugees, many of them are Muslims. I can assure you, most of them come from cultures that are much more relational than America and it is likely they would love to see a friendly face that wants to get to know them and not just clump them into a category of dangerous or violent.
Do it, live differently!
I promised my Muslim friends I would speak for them and I do and will. But, learn for yourself. It is so easy to judge when you just watch the news (or pass along emails that are filled with false accusations and facts) and live separately from everything going on "out there." Get to know Muslims, share your life, share your table, share their table(it will be tasty for sure!), ask questions and watch your heart and assumptions begin to change.
If you have been reading this blog or know anything about our lives, you know that we live in India and live in a neighborhood that is majority Muslim. We are learning language and researching business ideas that will be what we like to describe as, "a blessing to the community." We believe God led us to India and we believe that small sustainable business can help communities. We also follow Jesus and know that he has called us to love our neighbors and share his love and the story of what he has done and what his Kingdom is about among our neighbors.
We have been meeting with a lot of people to share with them about our experiences in India and one question seems to be on the tip of everyone's tongue. Some ask it in curiosity, some ask because they really just don't know, and unfortunately some ask in animosity. What is this question?? In some form or fashion it is something like this:
"Are Muslim's dangerous, are you in constant danger?"
Uggh, where to begin. I don't even know.
As a disclaimer, I write this blog as a follower of Jesus. So the things I say and believe are rooted in the teachings of the Bible. So, if you are reading this and are not a Christian, I can't say how you should or shouldn't see Muslims(although I have my opinions), but if you are a follower of Jesus, it is time for some heart change. It is time to re-read the message of Jesus and realize that this idea that Muslims are bad or horrible is really not okay, in fact it is sinful.
So back to the question, "Are Muslim's dangerous, are you in constant danger?"
The quick answer is no and no. There are estimated to be around 1.6 billion Muslims in the world. Are some of them dangerous, sure. Are enough of them dangerous to justify the claim that ALL Muslims are dangerous, absolutely not! Does the media portray them as dangerous and violent, yes. Some of you may read this blog and think, "okay, Kristin likes Muslims and thinks they are nice people. So what?" So my challenge to you is instead of feeling fear or apprehension when you see a Muslim family walk into your grocery store, or your school, or your favorite coffee shop go talk to them. America is full of refugees, many of them are Muslims. I can assure you, most of them come from cultures that are much more relational than America and it is likely they would love to see a friendly face that wants to get to know them and not just clump them into a category of dangerous or violent.
Do it, live differently!
I promised my Muslim friends I would speak for them and I do and will. But, learn for yourself. It is so easy to judge when you just watch the news (or pass along emails that are filled with false accusations and facts) and live separately from everything going on "out there." Get to know Muslims, share your life, share your table, share their table(it will be tasty for sure!), ask questions and watch your heart and assumptions begin to change.
