Messengers are not
the message
The religious fervour
that feeds activism leading to disorder as emotions becloud reason brings great
concern.
It transpires that
the adherents of Mohammedanism have taken serious exception to a number of
cartoons depicting the pioneer of their following in sometimes unpalatable
poses.
It makes one wonder
though about the message, the messenger and who it is all about. When the
messenger becomes the message and story, there is need for a reassessment of
priorities.
Authority of the
messenger
With Christianity,
the message comes through a messenger that is part of the fulfilment of the
message itself. The claim that Jesus Christ makes as first the Son of God and
then a first son of God gives him that authority.
Comparatively, no
other messenger lays such a claim, hence, they probably should be less vilified
by the machinations of men and seek less validation since the message itself
comes from some higher authority – as it were.
Basically, a son
delivers a message in the name of the father whilst an adopted but honoured
servant delivers the message as a representative of the master.
In both cases, if the
messengers do then encounter difficulty, they are either empowered to act on
authority of the father/master or the father/master takes the slight and makes
adequate redress for the son/servant.
Let the master defend
his integrity
It brings to memory a
story in the Great Book where someone had desecrated the altar of a god and all
the adherents of that god came out in arms to take the life of the desecrator.
Some elders intervened
and said, if the said god were so incensed about the desecration then the god
should act; however, it might appear the god was merciful because the
desecrator lived. [1]
Jihads and crusades
which in principle are well-meaning have done much to excite plunder,
destruction and misery such that the good news is lost in the suffering that
then portrays the message as that of sorrow.
Religious activism
wins no converts
In many of my blogs I
have strongly suggested that religious activism is a lightning rod for social
ills, it does coalesce adherents but does nothing to help in proselytising.
The best message any
religion can give is the power of example from the adherents; examples that
make people ask questions about your happiness, your amazing success, your
overwhelming peace of mind, your enduring patience and manifold wisdom.
Brawling,
flag-burning, singing, boycotting and shouting insults at pickets and rallies
are for all other kinds of endeavour but definitely not religion.
The matter is simple;
if you want people to believe as strongly as you do;
·
show
us the example that makes you a disciplined and reasonable family person even
if your family consists of just one person
·
show
us consideration, courtesy and comportment in all your undertakings
·
show
us you are a respected and valued member of your community as an
externalisation of your beliefs
·
show
us, you practise what you preach
In search of a
humorous God
As for the cartoons,
let the messengers and the message they preached speak up to the shame of the
irreverent cartoonists.
Showing up in anger
and rage would do nothing to win the argument, rather, others like the press
and haters of your religion would use your raw emotion very well against you,
your message, the messenger and the father/master.
For once, let us see
the lighter side of the insults and humour the ignorant into realising that our
adherence is of sterner stuff than their cartoons can enrage a mouse.
References
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