Terrorist or Freedom Fighter?

One person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter. As a pacifist, I oppose any violent means to achieve any end, no matter how noble. Still, as a nation reliant on violence to achieve our goals we have little credibility when accusing others. If indeed, intifada, means "shaking off" then who are we to say it doesn't? Yes, in Palestine it has meant a violent shaking off, but the use of this word in relation to this school has to do with young people of Arabic descent in America choosing to shake off the oppression of prejudice against them not through violence but through art. Should they have chosen a less politically-charged word? Probably, but if we truly believe in freedom of speech we should be able to accept the language and move toward dialogue.

It is very sad that knee-jerk reactions keep an inter-faith and inter-cultural conversation from every beginning in this country. Surely Pastor Tom would compare my position to Chamberlain's misguided notion that talking with Hitler could prevent World War 2. I'll risk taking my stand with the Prince of Peace who was willing to spend time with the marginalized in hopes that they might understand the Reign of God.

Blog you later,
Pastor Ian