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!
Our biggest fears are usually things we don’t understand. Probably the most Islamophobic opinion givers have never had a Muslim friend or even known one well. Their attitude can almost guarantee that they will never influence a Muslim to consider Christ and will make it even harder for another believer to reach out to them. Every fear or excuse not to be open to those with hard-core resistance to the gospel was probably already used to reject Saul of Tarsus out of hand. Nothing is new under the sun.
Hey Ken,
Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and taking time to write in. I appreciate it. I think you’re right about an increase in understanding often causing a decrease in fear.
Let’s keep doing our best to model and encourage growing understanding.
Shane: Thank you for keeping this subject of our relationship with Muslims front-and-center! I am glad you modified the word in your last paragraph from “fear” to “concern”. Fear of man is to be avoided; the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psa 111:10); the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Pro 1:7). Thus, I do not “fear” the philosophy of the Muslims. However, I have great concern for our country as I see the “frog” slowly cooking in the USA “cauldron” of denouncing Christianity (Ex: YouTube, or was it Facebook, that disallowed an veteran’s ad because the key word was “Christian”) and the acceptance of of a foreign-born, naturalized citizen, espousing from her Muslim-background perspective, her hatred for all that America stood for in its founding on Christian/moral principles. And her efforts to bring about change to favor Islam. Admittedly, the list of the eroding of Godly principles pre-dates the recent insurgence of Islam to America. However, the stage was set and is being well-advantaged for their foreign principles to be applied to our country. This is my concern. Further, it is often claimed that many Muslims in America don’t even know what they believe. I do not believe that. They are taught more thoroughly in their tight family structure. And, like the brothers and sisters who can fight with each other all day long, until a neighbor attacks, then will immediately come to the aid of a family member, so, also when the USA elects a Muslim president…one of their own…all nominal Muslims will come out of their “closet”. These are my concerns.
Hey Neal, your words reveal your heart and bring to light wisdom. I too have strong similar beliefs. Thank you for your thoughts.
Hey Neal,
I hope you’re doing well, brother. Thank you for reading Muslim Connect and taking time to share your concerns. As evidenced by Steve below, I think you speak for many.
Can I ask you a question: You mentioned the USA electing a Muslim president. When do you see that happening and how do you see it coming about? Thank you.
Fear seems to drive many people with concern of an increasing number of people who live and think differently than us. It appears to be an almost irrational fear that our traditional, almost “sacred” lifestyle will be disrupted by ________ (insert: liberals, Muslims, homosexuals, socialists, etc.). Various religious and political leaders stir up and reinforce those fears.
As there will be (and are) nations, tribes, languages around the throne, there must be a better way.
Perfect love still casts out fear, and I suppose, that is a place to start.