Gods of Love

Beyond the terror, heartbreak and patriotism that took root on
September 11, there is an underlying question. It is a question that
has not been asked publically, but whether we want to admit it or not,
there is one invisible figure stuck in the middle of this mess:
GOD.

Anyone wonder how God is feeling these days?

Of course, we would never willingly or openly join a Jihad, but there
certainly is much talk of God lately. "God Bless America" is everywhere
we turn. Is it, to quote a good friend of mine, "manufactured
patriotism", or do we truly believe in a God who will bless our nation?
And why hasn't the world "please" been added to "God Bless
America"?

I can't help but think that God is even more heartbroken then we are. I
have a hunch He is sad that people would slaughter each other in His
name. He is sad that anyone would blame Him for the pain and suffering
on this earth. After all, we are not God's puppets. We have choices to
make, and sometimes people choose evil. Sometimes it seems like there
is no true justice in this world, and perhaps there is much truth to
that. Still I think there is fair and complete justice in the next
life.

Everyone believes in something. As a Christian, I place my faith in
Jesus Christ, and call Him my Savior. If you are of the Islamic faith-
TRUE Islam- you believe in a loving but just Allah. If you claim to
believe in nothing, I say you are either lying or terribly mistaken. If
you don't believe in any god or ascribe to any particular religion, you
still surely put some level of faith in the idea that man rules itself.
EVERYONE believes in SOMETHING.

Yet while the Crusades saw Christianity twisted and the terrorist
attacks saw Islam tainted in the eyes of many, I pray you know God. It
is my sincere hope that you can look beyond the mistakes and warpings
of the followers and see something worth following. I hope you can move
past the faults of religion and taste the perfectness of God.

It is also my wish- and I believe it is also God's wish- that we would
use this time to recognize our infinite worth as human beings created
in the image of God, whoever God might be to you. Recognizing our worth
will show us the sanctity of all human life, and the sin of taking
life- and it's end- into our own hands.

Whoever you are, whatever you are doing today, I hope you serve a God
of love and peace.