Cartoons, Religion, Umbrage

The new cycle has been filled with the reports of Muslim riots and protests and threats over the Danish newpaper cartoons that were published 5 months ago! There has been much in the way of commentary lately and even the US State Department weighed in, criticizing the cartoons.

Go here and here and here for some commentary.

What is going on with the Muslim response? There are many theories and observations offered. Some suggest that the religion of Islam is being hijacked by a particular brance of the religion.

Here's my thoughts about the kind of umbrage that is being expressed and how it compares to Christian responses to the offense that some Christians sometimes take at various actions or statements that seem blasphemous to us. (For example: the recent TV show "The Book of Daniel," or Andre Serano's "Piss Christ," or the theatre production, "Corpus Christi," in which Jesus is depicted as a homosexual.)

While conservative Christians have certainly reacted in anger and outrage when they have perceived disrespect towards Christ of the faith, there have never been wide-spread threats and riots and public demonstrations. The question one might ask is -- WHY?

No doubt there are many things that might figure into providing an answer. The fact that in the West and Enlightenment set the stage for people to be able to see the value that freedom of expression has, even when that expression is offensive. However, JOhn Locke and the leaders of enlightenment political thought were throughly shaped by Christian values. Another factor that lead up to the Enlightenment sense of tolerance is the horrific wars between Christian factions that plagued Europe following the Reformation.

One thing, however, that must not be overlooked is the distinction that exists between Christians and Muslims regarding the men upon whom their various religious beliefs and spiritual practices are based. Mohammed, in Islam, is the "mouth-piece" of God, who speaks and all one can do is "submit" to his will, is one wants to be faithful. God's way of dealing with those who will not submit is harsh and, ultimately, thorough -- DAMNATION.

Christians, however, see Jesus in a different light. Jesus is not simply one who speaks for God, but is in fact God Incarnate -- the Son of God -- and SEcond Person of the Trinity. Hence, not just his words, but his actions carry the weight of revelation. As God, Jesus -- in the teaching of all the major branches of Christianity -- does not demand that persons submit to the sovereign will. Rather, God "submits" to the rejection and rebellion of the human race and lays down his life in Jesus Christ for the sinfulness of the world.

So, when we Christians hear Jesus say, "Father forgive them, they don't know what they are doing," as he is being crucified, we have a definitive picture of how God treats the "enemies" of God. God's primary response is to forgive. That should inform our reflections a little bit about why there is a difference between Christian umbrage and Muslim resentiment. It is not that Christians are necessarily better or more civilized, but that the example of Christ is to bear insult and ill-treatment and forgive, rather than retaliate. Hence, Christians might need to speak up about blasphemous things, but they never need to defend the Son of God, who laid down his life and said -- forgive them.