A New Beginning

Last month, President Barack Obama addressed an audience at Cairo University, in the heart of the Muslim World. His goal: to lay a foundation for how the United States and Muslims can establish a common ground built on “mutual interests and mutual respect.”

Regardless of your personal opinions of Obama and his policies, this is profound on so many levels. I immediately compare it to his “A More Perfect Union” speech, which he gave during the campaign, in which he boldly, eloquently and respectfully explained both sides of the race question in America. He’s done it again in terms of U.S.-Muslim relations.

A few notes, for perspective:

•  The common ground for Islam, Judaisim and Christianity, actually goes back to the very beginnings. All three religions are literally brothers — born in the same area of the world, from the same traditions. In a manner of speaking, the schism between the three religions is quite literally a family feud.

•  Obama called for us to look beyond stereotypes. And just as many Christians oppose abortion rights but were still horrified by the murder of Dr. Tiller in Kansas, so too, there are Muslims who oppose American policy, but are horrified by acts of violence committed in the name of their religion. Now there’s a common ground: the majority of Christians and Muslims don’t like to have acts of violence carried out in the name of their respective religions.

Of course, everyone — including Obama — knows that 50 minutes of flowery words won’t replace actions on the ground. Much of anti-American sentiment in the Middle East is rooted in the simple concept that many there don’t like the U.S. interfering in their affairs, period. It’s kind of like having an argument in your family, and having someone barge into your living room and start ordering people around. So there will need to be significant policy changes.

But as I watched news reports of everyday Muslims reacting to the speech, I still have great hope. Just as my daughter will grow up in a world where having an African-American president is the norm, there will be children in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran and Pakistan that will grow up inspired by an American leader, instead of reviling him. Maybe a Christian and a Muslim can sit down over a cup of coffee and talk calmly about the principles of their respective faiths — peace, love, understanding. Or better yet, stuff like raising kids, problems with in-laws, stuff like that — things that are common regardless of religion.

Hope and change, indeed.

Michael Jackson — Man In The Mirror

“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change . . .”

“You better get it right while you got the time, cause when you close your heart, you close your mind . . .”

- from “Man In The Mirror”
Michael Jackson
August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009

Prayer Request: Pearl Continental Hotel Bombed, Stormed By Gunmen In Pakistan

Hold a sacred thought and prayer in your heart for the victims and their families. And pray for those who committed this horrific act as well — they need prayer and forgiveness just as much. Post yours below . . .

Pearl Continental Hotel Bombed, Stormed By Gunmen In Pakistan.

God, please soothe and comfort those who were injured or lost loved ones in this attack. Please touch our hearts as well, that we take a stand for love and peace in our daily lives and in our world. Teach us how to disagree peacefully and how to meet conflict with love. Thank you and it is done. Amen.

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