Recently, I watched an interview on TV featuring the religious leader of HAMAS in Gaza.
It is unsurprising that when questioned about why Muslims resort to killing elderly individuals, women, and children through suicide bombings—actions that the Koran forbids—his response was that God permits Muslims to retaliate against their adversaries in the same manner.
If someone attacks you, then you have the right to retaliate. If they murder women and children, then so can you.
His answer did not catch me off guard. The IRA had support from Catholic priests, while Protestant clergy backed those who targeted Catholics.
In Israel, Jews take the lives of Arabs, and in Iraq, Shiites murder Sunnis.
Each of these groups possesses holy texts that explicitly oppose killing. How is it then that religious leaders and educators of various faiths can justify the horrific deaths of men, women, and children?
The explanation is quite straightforward.
God embodies love.
Do you genuinely believe that He will embrace suicide bombers and murderers filled with hatred for their fellow beings? God is love, whereas it is humanity that engages in violence, hatred, killing, robbery, rape, and murder. Humankind pursues wealth, power, and the political dynamics of governing nations. God is love.
The roots of man’s inhumanity lie within history, politics, and power.
The establishment of the modern state of Israel by the Jews was aided by the support of the United States, but who stood by the Palestinians? They have a right to their own land. If the United Nations and the Americans could compel the Israelis to relinquish territory and share it with the Arabs, there would likely be a reduction in violence. Similarly, it was dialogue and communication—rather than violence—that brought an end to years of sorrow in Northern Ireland. To all the religious leaders, I ask, ‘Do you believe you are striving to achieve perfection for yourself and the day in every way?’
by Prof. P.T. Brown
