The “Pen to Paper” cartoon in the Tribune (Jan. 11), in light of the terrorist attack in Paris, brought to mind a time in the 1980s when I served as the Lutheran representative to the Inter-Faith Committee on the Family centered in Milwaukee.  

A paper was presented us by Dr. M. A. Cheema (a cardiovascular surgeon and a Muslim) entitled, “Islam:  The Myth and the Reality.” He reminded us that there was an Islamic “Geneva Convention” 1,300 years before 1925. It stated that:

• Islam never has and never will condone the acts that today are bringing it undeserved notoriety.

• The truth is that the root causes of the dirty Middle East incidents lie in a secularism of the type of the Irish Republican Army.

• Even in a battle of formally declared war, the following principles of jihad apply: 1. not killing women, children and old people, 2. not torturing the enemy or killing him brutally in the heat of battle and 3. not cutting any trees or harming any crops.

As a Christian I have significant theological disagreements with Islam. For me, salvation rests upon the cross from which God showers us with divine grace and forgiveness; whereas, for Muslims the emphasis is on good works as the source of one’s salvation. Christianity emphasizes reconciliation. Islam emphasizes justice.

While our theologies differ, we share a common humanity.  We want peace between nations and a better world for our children.  Fear of “Islamic terrorism” feeds emotions of hatred and discrimination which, in turn, can lead to similar acts against innocent Muslims.

 

Kenneth A. Jensen 

retired reverend

Albert Lea