9/11 – Remember and Love

Today marks the 9th year since the attacks on the World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon. Let us never forget, as I’m sure anyone who was alive on the day will not, that morning and the days that followed that live on in the memories of all Americans. Let us not forget the 2996 people who lost their lives on that day. 246 on the four planes, 2,606 at the Twin Towers, and 125 at the Pentagon. In addition 411 emergency workers that included 341 firefighters 2 paramedics, 23 police officers, 37 public servants and 8 EMTs.

Let us also remember that this was an act of terrorism of a group of religious radicals. A group that preys on others by inciting fear into the lives of those who love freedom. These acts were committed by a group who have taken a belief and built into an agenda of hate and war, not love and peace. They do not represent the whole of the Muslim population and in fact are a very small percentage of radicals in the Muslim world.

We do not have to condone the acts of that day, nor should we forget what happened on that day. We do however need to move on with our lives and set aside the bigotry that has instilled hate in the hearts of many Americans. It has been apparent in this year, 2010, that their are those on both sides of the fence on many issues associated with 9/11. The two that stand out are the plans to build a mosque at Ground Zero and the acts of a Florida Pastor and his planned burning of the Quran, or as he says, ‘Koran’. Both of these parties need  look at the insensitivity of their actions and the effects it has on millions of people.

I believe, and this is my own opinion, that both the Bible and the Quran teach us to love our brothers and not destroy each other. God, and I also believe both books are speaking of the same God, does not want us to incite anger at either Muslims, Christians, Israel [Jews] or any other group. God wants  us to love each other and love God Himself. The difference is in the belief taught by each group. Both Islam and Judaism do not believe that Jesus was or is the Messiah, that Jesus died to save us from ourselves and each other. It must be said however that there are many in the world that call themselves Muslim Christians and Jewish Christians. They have found the truth, found Jesus, and their lives have been changed by the truth.

Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life, no man come to the Father [God] except through Me [by accepting Jesus].” We, as Christians, need to follow Jesus as the way, accept the  truth that Jesus taught and shows us, and walk in the life that Jesus has given us. That means to love our neighbor, love our enemy and in all seek God’s wisdom for our lives. We cannot change anyone except through the Love that has been given us to share the message of forgiveness and reconciliation towards others. That means all peoples of other religions, nationalities and beliefs.