Monthly Archives: July 2019

Sometimes we should listen to our fears. They’re talking sense: “Keep eating potato chips at your current rate you’re going to die early and require an XL casket!”

Other times, not so much: “If I don’t forward that Facebook post all of my civil-rights will evaporate and a communist will be elected president!”

When it comes to Muslims, I assume a lot of people don’t really care. I get that. We all have lives and none of us can be concerned about everything. But I also feel like there’s a substantial amount of fear swirling around. Sometimes it manifests as anger, sometimes low-grade anxiety. I don’t want to judge that fear (well, usually not!), but I do want to understand it.

So honestly, what are we afraid of? What do you think? As you look around you, or even in your own heart, if you were to bullet point the fears you see relative to Muslims, what would be on your list? (Tweet this.)

Articulation seems like a good early step toward evaluation. And thoughtful evaluation should lead to wise action. I know I’m sometimes hindered from articulating my fears because, on closer inspection, the undesirable consequences may actually be worse than I’d thought. On the other hand, laying out my fears might demonstrate that I’ve been jumpy about shadows and vapors.

Either way, I’d love to hear from you: What specifically do you think you or others are afraid of when it comes to Muslims. If “fear” is too strong, maybe back it off a bit and talk about what concerns people. Feel free to email me your thoughts or simply put them in the comments here. Thank you for taking some valuable time to help us all.

I’ll be speaking about fear this weekend (July 28, 2019) at New Song Church in San Dimas, CA. If you’re in the neighborhood and can sneak out on your own church for one Sunday, I’d love to see you there! I’ve been assured there’ll be coffee and snacks!

I wouldn’t trade my Indiana upbringing for anything. Although its homogeneity was only exceeded by its humidity, it profoundly shaped me. Maybe your kids are likewise growing up where everyone is the same color, speaks the same language and, more or less, serves the same God. Or maybe your neighborhood is changing, getting browner and more diverse in ways that shouldn’t, but do, feel a little scary.

Either way, don’t we want our kids and grandkids to grow up with the empathy and wisdom of God? I don’t care so much if they know the books of the Bible in order, but I do want them to love God and their neighbors like Jesus does.

If your littles are readers, here a few titles that will open wonderful doors in their minds. These come from a librarian friend who’s curating such books in part to prepare her charming little white Indiana town for the coming influx of Muslims. See her complete list here.

Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan (picture book) Culture clash is a real thing! Rubina is going to her first-ever birthday party and her mother doesn’t understand why she doesn’t want to bring her little sister. Misunderstandings abound and grace is required.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan (middle school) Amina has never wanted the spotlight, but everything is changing since. . .her best friend is “Americanizing” and thinks Amina should too. When Amina’s mosque is vandalized, can she find the courage to speak up and stand up for what she believes?

Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram (teen) Darius has only known life in America, but for the first time he is going to Iran. Navigating the minefield of culture clash and his desire to make friends, Darius may just find out what it actually means to be “okay.”

I’d love to hear your suggestions. If you’d like to see what else is on my reading shelf, let’s connect at goodreads.com.