Here is Archbishop Colin Johnson posing with Muslim youth at last night’s Danforth vigil.
By doing this I imagine he was trying to make a point; but what was it? That Anglican Archbishops believe Islam is a religion of peace despite mountains of evidence to the contrary? That Anglican Archbishops think ISIS – who have taken credit for the attack (not that that means much) – is not entitled to self-identify as Islamic even though men are entitled to self-identify as women? That there is no gulf between Christianity and Islam; after all, we believe in the same God, don’t we? This particular brand of Islam even has its own messiah:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community or the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at; Arabic: الجماعة الإسلامية الأحمدية, transliterated: al-Jamā’ah al-Islāmiyyah al-Aḥmadiyyah; Urdu: احمدیہ مسلم جماعت) is an Islamic religious movement founded in Punjab, British India, in the late 19th century. It originated with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835–1908), who claimed to have been divinely appointed as both the promised Mahdi (Guided One) and Messiah expected by Muslims to appear towards the end times and bring about, by peaceful means, the final triumph of Islam; as well as to embody, in this capacity, the expected eschatological figure of other major religious traditions.
Or perhaps he was just standing in his comfort zone.
“Love for all, hatred for none” is indeed a legit motto of the Amadiyya Muslims. Like the Baha’i, they are persecuted by other Muslims and regarded as heretics. They do not identify with ISIL nor with the methods of ISIL. Certainly their theology is doubtful, but in my experience that are decent people who make good neighbours and good Canadians.
I completely agree.
And then there’s the poor old Ismaili Muslims, another worthy group often subjected to the most ferocious persecution within Islam.
“Love for all, hatred for none” may be an admirable sentiment, but in the context of the Danforth shootings, and jihadi terrorism, absolutely meaningless pap. It solves nothing, addresses nothing, accomplishing nothing, means nothing. In fact, worse than nothing – as long as terrorists see this as a response to their murderous acts, the bolder they will become. Wake up people!
Counsel, ten years ago, of the late Dr. Bernard Lewis, noted Islamic scholar: “Wake up!”
Not surprising for one who confuses Church Street with Queen Street,
and the Danforth with “Go forth!”
Lift low The Cross.
Love your enemies is not an easy thing to do in any culture. Christians should remind ourselves that Jesus did die for His enemies.
That must mean that ACoC clergy love those of us who have left them for ANiC. And write highly amusing critical blogs posts about them.
I must admit, I’m not feeling the love.