Ten years ago today, I was in 8th grade at Yoakum Junior High. I was a library assistant during first period, so I was shelving books and listening to the televised news with the librarian. When we saw the images of the first plane crashing into the first tower, I had no idea what was going on or that the world had just completely changed. Honestly, as a 13-year-old, I didn't think it was even serious until teachers started coming into the library and crowding around the tv. The principal made an announcement for all the teachers to turn on the televisions in their classrooms, and for the rest of the day we watched the news coverage of the 9/11 attacks. Original estimates were that as many as 50,000 people had died.
I can't speak much for what the world looked like before September 11. I didn't know much about Islam. I didn't know that there was any paradigm other than my own.
Now that the US has been at war for ten years, it is painfully obvious that war will not end terrorism. But I think Jesus had the answer on the Sermon on the Mount. 1st, love your enemies. 2nd, blessed are the peacemakers. Maybe sometimes it is impossible to make peace without war. I'm completely ignorant and naiive here. But the media circus surrounding Muslim terrorism is causing a wider and wider divide between the Christian and Muslim worlds. Terrorism thrives on this divide. When I asked people what they think the most significant barrier to effective communication between Christians and Muslims was, most said fear and ignorance. Is this really the world we want to live in?
My proposal for ending terrorism is simple. We take Jesus seriously. Love your enemies. Be a peacemaker. Christians, sit down with a Muslim and listen to them talk, not just about religion but also about life. You'll find that you have a lot in common. And Muslims, don't be afraid to talk openly with Christians. They really want and need to get to know you.
What do you think might happen when Christians and Muslims learn to sit at each other's table? I think that the divide between the two worlds will shrink, and pretty soon terrorism won't have a place to stand.
