Spiritually Undiscerning, or Mere Flesh Fighters?

Someone recently stated, ''What's with all the uproar against Qur'an burning? Bibles are being burned all over the world, why is there no such advocacy against that? Is it, that we are now living in an anti Christian Britain?''

Along with this statement there are many other voices that shout to be heard in relation to the derogation of Christianity in light of the rise of Islam.

- No displaying of crucifixes on golden chains worn around the neck if you work at BA.

- You cannot run an adoption agency that wholly affiliates itself with heterosexual beliefs and rejects the homosexual viewpoint.

- The voice of a Christian which subjugates homosexuals is subject to the consequences of the law.

- Relaying the love and mercy of God to those sick in hospital, tutors expressing the latter to pupils, calls for job withdrawal.

Islam has recently, and previously been highlighted in the media as being a religion that invokes hate and violence. Because of this, it seems to have birthed a deep fear in many of those in authority, to the point that the only solution is for those in authority to side along with Islam and try to pacify and restrain any potential repetitions of terrorism or hate attacks.

Christian voices are shouting out to claim clarity in the findings of a system that belittles one faith seemingly in favour of another. Britain being a Christian nation, can only allow citizens to lay out the premise for the argument that anti-Christianity is predominately overtaking that which Britain once stood for.

Some say because of the terror and violence associated with Islam and the damage that has prevailed as a consequence of the audacious affronts, it seems Islam may be seen as a kind of Super Power that can only be pacified through association to its steadfastness.

'Why is it that when an unknown Pastor from an unknown church threatens to burn Qur'ans, there is an uproar, and this Pastor is deemed as evil? What then, of the thousands of bibles being burnt world wide, what about those? What is said about those that attempt to do such a thing?'

It seems that the voice and the threats of Islam against any and everybody that attempts to undermine their believes will be met with further threats of anger, violence, retaliation and even death.

'Yes, but what are Christians doing about those that come face to face with their believes and attempts to undermine? Why is Islam in comparison to Christianity so widely acclaimed, yet the Christian voice seems so silent and small?'

I sit upon my bed as I type this, and I can only laugh to myself. Laughter may seem incongruous to such a subject matter, but it truly is all I can do. I open my bible, and I read:

'For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age'. Ephesians 6:12.

As that which has been mentioned above, not one conclusion (as portrayed by the media) has ever touched upon the spiritual solution, or an answer given as to why there seems to be such a battle between two beliefs.

I am bias in this argument, sponsoring the notion that the uproar and division we see is simply at the hands of one whose goal is to cause immense confusion, separation and a powerful spiritual war that rages against the futility of the flesh. A dying battle we fight when we look to the consequences of religion, instead of looking to the One who is the solution for relationship.

Can it be safely said that most of what we see, let's label it, 'The Battle Between Two Odds' as it truly is, is one not to be viewed or approached, from the physical eye? The media so easily portrays an issue in the aim of gaining its political viewpoint and influencing the mass with its own agenda of what is popular culture. But what of the agenda? What of the viewpoint? What of that which works first in the spiritual?

Don't get me wrong, I am not a 'hater'. I was raised a Muslim, my Mother is a Muslim, and dearly do I love her. So, let's try and hit my point home, if it makes any sense at all.

The 'ruler of the world' may be seen to have his way by throwing out scheme bombs, but this is not a battle of flesh and blood, a fight that does not succumb to the retaliations of wrathful words and blood shed patriotism. The aim of the 'scheme bomb' is to cajole many away from the true course by encouraging them to foster a devotion to a cause, to fight for what they believe in as a means of drawing them away from a real encounter with God and the faith relationship.

'For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age'. Ephesians 6:12.

If you get hit, fight back and fight back harder. Draw the sword, do some damage! Don’t be so weak and passive, do something! The lack of understanding of how the spiritual realm works will always lead the flesh to take center stage.

Do Christians need to do more to defend their faith in the face of a myriad of attacks? That depends on what is seen as being Christian. Is passivity a definitive persona of Christianity? Would the rise of the sword in a rebuttal to the negative portrayal of Christianity make any difference?

If you get slapped on one cheek, turn the other for the same. Going back to the true intent of God’s will and heart (the reason why these battles are in place of course?) would be a suggestion that deems one as simply crazy.

I totally agree that there has to be a balance in knowing when to act in the physical in defense of the faith, and a sense of knowing the difference between holy indignation or unrighteous anger when acting in the physical...inflaming the need to fight for a cause can sometimes produce the latter.

''We are fighting a religious war here for the sake of God for God's sake - what in the world does God have to do with it?''

So back to the question, ''Is Britain becoming anti-Christian?''. From what I can see, and evidence that purely can only relate to what the media shows is that there has been an increasing fight to suppress Christianity. If Britain is indeed a Christian nation with Christian values, but is in favour for the ostracism of it's very foundation, with secularism on the rise, then ''yes'' is my answer to the question.

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''Some ages are lukewarm and complacent, other ages, of which the present is one, are unbalanced and prone to faction, and it is our [the demon's] business to inflame them. Any small coterie, bound together by some interest which other men dislike or ignore, tends to develop inside itself a hothouse mutual admiration, and towards the outer world, a great deal of pride and hatred which is entertained without shame because the 'Cause' is it's sponsor and it is thought to be impersonal.''

[A Template for Distraction] - Letter 7 of the Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis.