Offensive

The Muslim world is erupting with violent hatred towards the makers of an offensive film about Muhammad. People have been killed in Libya, Afghanistan, Egypt and elsewhere, and the violence appears out of control.

President Obama, Pope Benedict, moderate Muslim leaders and many others have appealed for calm, whilst also condemning the makers of the film. 

This terrible situation has emerged while many are remembering the furore caused by the response to the the publication of Salman Rushdie's book, The Satanic Verses, in 1988. I recall the book burning taking place in Bradford, violent demonstrations in Bolton, where we lived,and the fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, encouraging Muslims to kill Rushdie, leading to his 10 years in hiding, under protection.

Newspapers and TV are this week exploring those events, but they raise the question as to how people of faith should respond to the offensive behaviour of others.

When people are provoked and attacked, we accept that proportionate self-defence is allowable. In our culture, which values the freedom to comment and even attack the views of others, we also accept that we should not be gratuitously offensive to the views of others. 

There are responsibilities which come with genuine freedom. My freedom to express my views must be balanced by your freedom not to be attacked and diminished.

This is not a new problem.

Jesus addressed it in the most startling of terms, when he tlod his followers, ' “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbour’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (Matthew 5.43-45)

Our response to others must be rooted in the character of the God we believe in, who is gracious and merciful to all.

The Prophet Isaiah presents a wonderful vision of how this change in our behaviour would look, when we all seek to live under God's rule and mercy. 

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot—
    yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root.
 He will give justice to the poor
    and make fair decisions for the exploited.

 In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together;
    the leopard will lie down with the baby goat.
The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion,
    and a little child will lead them all.

Best wishes,

Richard