Force and Love: Two Different Things

One weekend in September of '97, I spent a few days in San Francisco. I walked into a coffee shop just down the hill from Haight Ashbury. The lady behind the counter remarked about the cross i was wearing.

She said, "that is a nice cross."
"Thank you," I replied.
"I am a Muslim"
"Wonderful", I said. "We are both sons and daughters of the God of Abraham."
"Yes. My God". she replied.

I remember walking out the coffee shop thinking that she was a little harsh in her response. But, after some thought, I realized she said the right thing.

It is acceptable and understandable that, in order for someone to believe and conform to a truth, one must embrace it as the fullest revelation of that truth. The woman wasn't meaning disrespect. She was simply stating that she believes, wholeheartedly, in what she believes. It is my opinion that only by acknowledging our differences that we can start to move towards common ground.

That being said, claiming that the existence of an entire race and culture of people (whose beliefs are different than your own) effects the existence of your faith, is a sign of a weak faith to me. To disregard the message of love and virtue found in the Qur'an, and to replace it with the right to eradicate an entire race of people because their existence challenges your own is nothing but cowardice.

If what you believe is so true, it should emerge as the dominant truth because of its philosophy of truth, not the size of force you can use to oppress people into submission to it. It is love that leads the heart to repentance and freedom found in God, not oppression, fear, and violence.

By Matt Maher  |  January 13, 2009; 12:00 AM ET
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