BALANCE

I heard the other day about this one celebrity who was comparing fundamentalist Christianity in this country to the type of terrorism that is happening in some other counties. This person's reason for making such an observation was to suggest that since such terrorists often claimed to be associated with a religion that it meant in this country we faced a similar threat.

I did listen to a number of Christian groups expressed their outrage with this individual claims that fundamentalist Christianity was as bad as the extremists in other religions. Needless to say, their view on the subject regarded such a comment as totally irresponsible and untrue.

Fundamentalism in Christianity does have a foundation that goes back decades and in its infancy was truly a desire to return the faith to the basic of our beliefs. I think in was a commendable goal and did make a contribution to body of Christ.

Over the years of course the term Fundamentalism in relationship to Christianity seems to have slowly become more identified with the radical groups under the umbrella of the faith. So much so that today it is hard for many to think of the term without it conjuring images of extremism.

There is a difference between having a passion for something and being obsessed with forcing that belief upon others. Being passionate means to me in Christian terms that one truly wants to serve the Lord with all your heart.

It doesn't translate into trying to suppress or abuse others who don't agree with your point of view. Neither does it equate to attempt for the sake of what you believe to deny others their freedoms.

That is the challenge of balance. To serve the Lord in a way that glorifies only him means to put his will above one's own desire. Sometimes I think the most effective witness is the one that starts by showing respect to the rights of others.

Still, like with any belief system it seems the extremism, no matter what percentage they represent of the faith get the most attention. And why not? They are by far the most colorful group.

That is important to the news media who are trying to put on their media circus for the sake of ratings. It hardly matters to them what the truth is nor do they concern themselves with all the people who do follow a path more balanced in their convictions.

There will never be a time when those prone to extremism won't be apart of any faith. They will always dominate to some degree.

But I put my faith more in God to know that he is not as absurd as some of the extremism make him out to be. I only hope that at times those wounded by such people will have a chance to learn not all who follow a given belief system have a need to cause more harm than good.