October 2, 2011
I wrote an article for Christianity Today recently titled, “Have Muslim-Christian relations improved since 9/11? As I reflected on the topic and did some research, I was surprised at how many evangelical organizations and individuals are engaged in peacemaking. When I wrote the article for Christianity Today I was restricted to 500 words, so I could only mention a few organizations. But I have no such limitations here! Check out these organizations, individuals and books on the topics for both Evangelicals and Muslims.
by: Rick Love | Categories: Peacemaking
September 28, 2011
I wrote an article for Christianity Today recently titled, “Have Muslim-Christian relations improved since 9/11? As I reflected on the topic and did some research, I was surprised at how many evangelical organizations and individuals are engaged in peacemaking. When I wrote the article for Christianity Today I was restricted to 500 words, so I could only mention a few organizations. But I have no such limitations here! Check out these organizations, individuals and books on the topics for both Evangelicals and Muslims.
by: Rick Love | Categories: Peacemaking
September 15, 2011
The flames of suspicion, hate and fear swept over our country in the 1940s and 1950s, fanned by the zealous anti-Communist Senator from Wisconsin, Joseph McCarthy. Government employees, people from the entertainment industry, the unions and universities, were dragged before interrogation panels, some staged by the government, some privately sponsored. Thousands lost their jobs and reputations as a result, and hundreds were imprisoned. More gravely, the whole country was caught in a vortex of hysteria, mutual denigration, and bitter debates. The current campaign in the United States to vilify Muslims is certainly reminiscent of the McCarthyism of the 1950s.
by: David L. Johnston | Categories: Global Issues
September 2, 2011
September 11, 2001 is a day that will never and should never be forgotten. On that day, in the space of a few short hours, two tragedies took place. The first and most painful: almost three thousand Americans lost their lives in the horrific terrorist attacks. But a second tragedy occurred on 9/11. An act of terror perpetrated by extremists led to the demonization of an entire religion. After 9/11, Muslims = terrorists.
by: Rick Love | Categories: Events
August 29, 2011
I am thrilled about the new memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Dr. King is the first non-President to be honored in this way. How fitting that his monument stands between those of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Jefferson defined the dream of equality for all, Abraham Lincoln fought for it, and Martin Luther King Jr. implemented it – at least with respect to the African American community.
I rejoice that we are honoring Dr. King. Nevertheless, I wonder if we really get how disturbing and radical his message was. As my good friend and colleague Jim Mullins reminds me, peacemakers sometimes have to be peace disturbers to be effective.
by: Rick Love | Categories: Peacemaking
August 25, 2011
Our challenge, as we think about Muslim women, is to admit that the hijab opens up complex issues that won’t fit into catchy media sound bites. Each of these women, who for the most part have chosen to wear the head covering and dress modestly, is a unique individual with her own set of issues. In the end, it’s our common humanity that will help us break down stereotypes and develop a better understanding of one another.
by: David L. Johnston | Categories: Global Issues
August 23, 2011
First, when it comes to women and clothing, let’s get one misconception out of the way: “Islam oppresses women.” That is the default statement that, even when not stated outright, is assumed by non-Muslim westerners while their minds dance with this image of Muslim women waddling down the road covered in black cloth from head to toe.
by: David L. Johnston | Categories: Global Issues
August 16, 2011
You know from my last blog that large majorities of Muslims worldwide believe that women should have the same civil, political and professional rights as men. Many of you are thinking, "but doesn’t 'Islam' oppress women?" Let’s unpack that statement and see 1) what’s behind this perception, and 2) why Muslims themselves fiercely disagree with one another on these issues.
by: David L. Johnston | Categories: Global Issues
August 12, 2011
Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving. Many leading princes among the more than 5,000 of their peers favor a lifting of the ban. But many others side with the conservative elements in Saudi society and see this as kowtowing to western norms. For them, allowing women behind the wheel is to slide down the slippery slope of women’s liberation with all the immorality and filth it leads to.
by: David L. Johnston | Categories: Global Issues
August 9, 2011
A rabbi, a priest and an imam were sitting in a cafe drinking coffee and smoking shisha.... The beginning of a politically incorrect joke? No. One of my favourite moments from the Building Hope Conference in July 2011.
Categories: Events