I was observing the reactions to the announcement of the pastor of a small church in Florida that Korans will be burned to commemmorate September 11. Many Muslims went into the streets protesting and even worse, committing violent acts against Christians. It is good to have a zeal for God, and I want to reflect on what all these violence says about their God.

     Humans abhor insults to their honor. It is understandable for a person to hit somebody for cursing at him, or destroying his property. The radical muslims who started inflicting violence because of this news presents God as somehow like us. This is a God who would not take insults, who avenges himself on his enemies.  

    The Christian conception of God is someone who became human and accepted the insults of his enemies, and still loved them, offering them peace. He must have felt anger as his enemies insulted him, but he resisted reacting with murder but instead accomplished his mission, bringing eternal life to his people. He is a God who gave himself for the forgiveness of his people despite all the evil they have done. He is a longsuffering God who makes the rain shine on those who believe and those who do not. The death and resurrection of Jesus signaled for us today an age of invitation, not an age of judgment, which will come later. It is an invitation to a great feast, where God is the host and people of all nations will be satisfied.

    If we are believers in this God, we could not respond with hate to those who burn churches, bibles, or crosses. Besides, God is not contained in churches, bibles or crosses. Our devotion is to the God presented in the bible, not the bible itself. We are not to be religious zealots whose devotion is to a book, and would harm others just because they are not one of them. We could not respond with hate on those who insult us because God does not respond in hate. This does not mean we repress anger or sadness. However, it does mean that our stance should be towards reconciliation, being at peace with our enemies. We are followers of a reconciling God.