What if Muslims Burned the Holy Bible?

A disturbing event is planned for September 11, 2010. Unlike September 11, 2001, this even will take place in Gainesville, FL…at a church. No, this event is not the NBC promo for one of its new fall TV shows. This event at Dove World Outreach Center is the “International Burn a Quran Day,” the sacred tenets of the Muslim faith.

Officials in Gainesville denied the fire permit application to the church, but it plans to proceed despite this denial. The church has even listed 10 reasons to justify this act on its website. Key arguments are that Islam wants to take over the world, Islam is of the devil, and that the Islamic culture teaches fear and hatred towards the West. I would like to question this logic on several grounds.

What is the real message? Dove is a symbol of peace. How ironic that this church has chosen it as part of its name. Burning the Quran is not a sign of peace, but rather a lethal way to incite violence and more hate crimes. What manner of Christianity is this? Christ taught that men (the world) would know that we are His disciples of we show love towards others. Lest we forget, the Bible was used to justify slavery. Crosses were burned on lawns, terrorizing families. Still, the message then was the same as now: we do not want you here.

This is hardly the best way to commemorate the souls who died on 9/11. Lest we forget, the 9/11 terrorists did not wait until all Muslims left the Twin Towers. On that day, the world saw Americans as one. We stood together as one…until we eased back into the comforts of our own prejudices. Despite the man-made denominations which separate Christians, the world also sees each group proclaiming to be Christians as one. Yet, there is a difference. Just like there is a difference between Islamic extremists who also kill Muslims, and devout Muslims who live in peace and denounce terrorism. I have learned that there are those who call themselves Christian, and those who are true Christians. Their actions speak for them, while the others just speak.

What is the real fear? The Bible also teaches us that “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment.” (I John 4:18) America has a world-wide reputation for its freedom, opportunity, wealth, values, arrogance and dominance. There is a love-hate relationship with this country because of our own ambiguity: Join us, but leave your world, your beliefs, your values, and your language behind. We will pick and choose what is acceptable in our ethnocentric culture. We decide if you are un-American. The efforts of this church to prove a point is sending the message that America is a land of intolerance. Those feared also have inalienable rights in this country. This leads me to my final question…

What could be the end result? More harm than good is done if this church allows fear to dictate its actions. The seeds planted can lead to growth on dangerous grounds that no one in America is prepared to handle. This could embolden other factions in America that want to take their country back. It would not surprise me to see Muslim-Americans turn the other cheek and not retaliate. However, it shames me to see those who call themselves “Christian” behave in this manner. Not only are they disrespecting someone’s faith, but they are also breaking the law of the land. Is this really what Jesus would do?

“Do unto others as you will have them do unto you.”

Do You Know Where You're Going To?

Okay. Today is the day that I reveal a personal weakness: I have no sense of direction. If you want me to get from Point A to Point B, you have to be very specific. Turn left onto This Way Rd. Pass five traffic lights and turn right onto Get U There St. Without specifics, I am almost always guaranteed to get lost. If you do not believe me, just ask my close friend who was kind enough to invite me to a special event recently.

My friend’s coworker has launched a new exciting blog, The Invisible Gazebo, and decided to host a blog party, which I think is a unique and brilliant way to celebrate a new endeavor. The plan was for me to drive to my friend’s house, and we would ride together to the party. Well, rather than drive on the highway, I decided to take the back roads route – a route I have not driven in a long time. I recalled at some point, I would see a sign to turn left onto the road that would lead me directly to my friend’s house.

The shorter version of this story is that I never saw the sign that I was looking for. Why? Well, apparently some genius city planner/DOT specialist/person who doesn’t know that I am methodical decided to place a traffic signal at the intersection where I was expecting to see a 4-way stop! Didn’t anyone tell them that I have no sense of direction, and need specific directions in order to arrive at my destination?! We were one hour late for the party because of my mishap. But wait, there’s more…

Once I was led in the right direction by two men at the second gas station where I stopped for directions, I saw where I had erred. I knew where I was trying to go, but could not see beyond my expectations of how to get there. This caused me to overlook what had changed. The pathway was the same, but the signs were different.

What’s more, there were signs to lead me in the right direction, but I failed to notice and missed the opportunity to be on the right road sooner. The good thing was that I made the decision to go in the right direction, rather than insist that my way was best. Good because with that attitude, I would have ended up at the Atlantic Ocean!

How many times do we make the same mistake about our lives? We develop expectations based on what is familiar, and fail to recognize the changes that have taken place. The key is to not allow those changes to knock us off balance. We must remain determined, centered, and persistent. Eventually, we will arrive. It might be an hour, one day, or one year later, but we will arrive. And, when we get there, we can celebrate and enjoy the company of those who are there to share in our joy. Just like we did at The Invisible Gazebo!

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” -- Jimmy Dean

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do — not that the nature of the thing is changed, but that our power to do is increased.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ethical Responsibility is Ethical Accountability

One of the challenges for leaders is how to respond to an ethical dilemma, especially when your decision places you at odds with the mainstream. It is absolutely imperative that as leaders, we allow our behavior to be shaped by integrity. Weighing right versus wrong is not optional. Our core values must lay the foundation for how we choose to approach ethical decisions. A leader who operates with integrity will practice what he or she preaches, regardless of personal emotions and society’s opinion pressuring them to do otherwise. The litmus test for making ethical decisions: how would you feel if your actions were captured in tomorrow's headlines?

One leader whom I admire is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Certainly, his decisions made headlines during the Civil Rights Movement. He challenged the thinking and actions of millions of Americans, and his legacy continues to influence leadership practices and principles. Dr. King was arrested in 1963 for breaking the law. We are taught that laws must be obeyed; otherwise we face the consequences of choosing not to obey. However, the legal laws that were being enforced consistently broke moral codes. Therefore, Dr. King felt that he had an ethical and moral responsibility to change those laws. The “Letter from Birmingham Jail” expresses his response to those who held him accountable for his actions.

Dr. King wrote this letter during a less than expedient time in American history where segregation was legal in the South. It was legal to deprive Black citizens of their constitutional right for equality. Jim Crow Laws plagued the southern region. Negro citizens were expected to obey a set of laws that were demeaning and aimed at instilling an inferiority complex.

Dr. King was not talking to foreigners or to an audience oblivious to the treatment of Negro citizens. He was speaking to an audience who had witnessed and experienced these conditions. Complacency can cloud one’s ethical judgment. The black and white clergy to whom this letter was addressed were not blind to the oppressed conditions in Birmingham. Yet, they were willing to appease the status quo and condemn a man who wanted to help them. One group in society made the decision that they were superior to another group and created laws to justify their decision. To Dr. King, this made their laws unjust and fortified his reason to break those unjust laws. As St. Augustine once said, “an unjust law is no law at all.”

Let’s examine the specific reason that Dr. King was arrested. What law did he break? Dr. King was charged with “parading without a permit.” The white power structure in Birmingham decided that because they refused to change their segregated lifestyle, they needed to find a way to besmirch Dr. King’s reputation and attempted to use coercive power to change his behavior.

Dr. King and his followers did not make a rash decision. They attempted to engage the white power structure in conversation to express their concerns. They received empty promises which were made only to prevent demonstrations and ensure revenue from the Negro community. Thus, they prepared themselves for a nonviolent demonstration. The demonstration was a last resort after other diplomatic attempts to resolve the issue had failed. How could Dr. King sit idle, lulled by complacency, and consider himself a leader? He could not.

Dr. King’s obligation and commitment to elevating purpose not only led to his decision to accept the consequences of breaking the “law” in Birmingham, but also guided him throughout the Civil Rights Movement, even unto death. Dr. King felt obligated to answer the call on his life to improve the living conditions of black people in American society.

Leaders must stand for what they believe in, no matter the cost. Actually, when considering the costs, a true leader becomes more determined. The leader has accepted the responsibility of the consequences. Dr. King was prepared to accept the penalty for breaking the law. He held himself ethically accountable for his actions. In doing this, Dr. King expressed “the highest respect for law.”
Even if you do not consider yourself a leader, you should have an ethical code. Laws are made to regulate behavior. Ethics exists to resolve internal conflict when faced with a dilemma. Ethics is making choices which determine how a person responds to a particular situation with honesty and accountability. Legislating ethics does not change the intent of a person’s heart, and does not lead to ethically responsible behavior.
If rather, our fundamental values are shaped by situations or dilemmas, we risk the appearance of being as unstable as water. Followers are confused and uncertain about in which direction they are being led. People may not agree with the leader’s position. However, the leader is respected for remaining steadfast in his or her values and beliefs.

“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, 'Is it safe?' Expediency asks the question, 'Is it politic?' And Vanity comes along and asks the question, 'Is it popular?' But Conscience asks the question, 'Is it right?' And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

When it is a Matter of Life and Destiny

We strive for Greatness in many areas of life, whether is in the sports arena, corporate America, or as an entrepreneur. Many people even strive to be the greatest in national and international religious organizations. In our minds and in society, Greatness comes from having the best and being the best. Society's Greatness is found at the top echelon of our field, and making sure everyone around us knows it. Society's Greatness is defined by how well we live (i.e. our job title, what we drive, where we live, what we wear). However, what steps must you take toward God-given Greatness? I know that I was created on purpose for a purpose, as Susan L. Taylor once stated. Regardless of my daily challenges, I know that I cannot die until I have fulfilled my destiny.

Our strength is built in adversity. In your weakness lies your greatest strength. There are many obstacles on the road to Greatness. Can you live without being accepted by people? People may not understand you. Instead of supporting your goals, some will attempt to put an end to your growth or make you feel isolated. By nature, we are most comfortable around those who are just like us. Anyone who would dare to deviate from the safe, familiar path is deemed strange, a rebel without a cause that forces others to look at themselves. But I dare you to be different. I dare you to not give in to the many voices without and within that will oppose your purpose for being. Eleanor Roosevelt once said that no one could make you feel inferior without your permission. You will never find the road to Greatness hanging around folk who are trying to go nowhere in a hurry.

Nothing can be more damaging to the human spirit than to get kicked when you are down. Yet, this will challenge your belief in yourself, and cause you to wonder: “How bad do I want it?” Know that only your true friends will be around to help keep a song in your heart. And, during the moments when your friends are not available, you must continue to sing that song and like King David, encourage yourself. The strength in your vision and God’s destiny for your life must prevail.

It is safer to notice what someone is doing to you, than to admit what you are doing to yourself. The outward challenges are sometimes easier to overcome than the inward struggles. Yet, the outward challenges and your relationship with others often manifest inward struggles. We lose ourselves in the struggle when we battle those things without and never recognize the things within. For example, how willing are you to forgive someone who has hurt or disappointed you? Forgiveness releases a person we feel is indebted to us. But more importantly, we release ourselves. Harboring unforgiveness causes our inner being to deteriorate. In our self-righteousness and need for vindication, we hold on to a breach of our trust by another. Any reminder of the experience reignites those hurt feelings and we relive the pain all over again. There are many people today denying their Greatness because they are living unhealed lives.

It is also important to remember that Greatness is not so much an arrival or destination point as it is a road we continuously travel. That is to say, you do not reach a pinnacle and sigh, “That’s enough.” I caution against becoming mired in the web of complacency. I am not satisfied with mediocrity while my destiny goes unfulfilled. Choosing the road to Greatness in this life causes you to give life your best and receive the best in return. This is a continued reciprocity, and for this you can never be satisfied. Yes, be content with the growth opportunity, but never be satisfied to remain where you are. Seek to grow wherever you are planted and ask God to help you gain patience, understanding, and reaffirmation of purpose.

"I will not die an unlived life. I will not live in fear of falling or catching fire. I choose to inhabit my days, to allow my living to open me, to make me less afraid, more accessible, to loosen my heart until it becomes a wing, a torch, a promise. I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit." -- Dawna Markova