News broke recently of an Iranian man who was applying for asylum in the UK. In his application he mentioned that he had converted from Islam to Christianity, because (in his words) Christianity is a religion of peace while Islam is not (read more here). In his words, “In Islam there is violence, rage, and revenge. In Christianity on the contrary it is talking about peace, forgiveness, and kindness.”
But here’s where the story gets bizarre.
Not only did the UK Home Office reject his application, but in their rejection letter they tried to argue with his claim that Christianity is peaceful. After extensively quoting passages from Exodus, Leviticus, and Revelation out of context, the Home Office claimed they were inconsistent with his claim that he converted to Christianity because it is peaceful.
As I read through their rejection letter, I was honestly baffled.
It’s amazing that our Western culture will go to such great lengths to bend over backwards in claiming that Islam is a religion of peace, and yet will try find any reason possible to claim that Christianity is not peaceful.
Of course, not everyone in our Western culture shares the same viewpoint. But it’s a reminder that as we seek to share Jesus with those around us, people often have very real misconceptions about Christianity.
Is Christianity Violent?
So how should we respond when a friend brings up the Crusades? Or how Christianity has allegedly caused so many wars? Or when they say that Christianity is violent?
Well, as is often the case, I think our best bet is to point the conversation away from some vague concept of ‘Christianity’ and towards the concrete person of Jesus. Don’t try excuse or minimise the atrocities committed in the Crusades. Instead maybe ask, “What do you think Jesus would have thought about the crusades? Would he have condoned them?”
And chances are pretty high that your friend will realise that Jesus wouldn’t condone the Crusades. Because while our secular friends might think Christianity is violent, they’ll probably recognise that Jesus himself was not.
And ultimately our goal is not to ‘defend Christianity’, but to help people see Jesus for who he really is.
The UK Home Office might have a chip on their shoulder against Christianity. But the ray of hope in this story is this Iranian man, whose name is not revealed to protect his identity. This man grew up in a heavily Islamic culture, but somehow came to see Jesus for who he really is. And that’s the best thing we can pray for our friends as well.
Did anyone think to check with the Archbishop of Canterbury on that score, I wonder?
May I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone that actually understands
what they are discussing on the internet. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important.
More people have to check this out and understand this side of your
story. I was surprised that you aren’t more popular because you certainly have the gift.