Rethink

Rethink

As I write this it is October 28th 2014. Sadly I watched the funeral of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo the soldier murdered while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
This man was proud to be a Canadian and serve his country. Our prayers go out to his family.
The man that killed him was nothing more than a hate filled misguided evil man.
What causes a man to do such a thing?
Chedly Belkhodja, principal of Concordia University’s School of Community and Public Affairs states,
“Radical Islamic groups can appeal both to lonely lost souls and Muslims in Western countries who feel excluded and marginalised,... A lot of young people can be an easy prey,” 
Studies by John Horgan seems to agree.
John Horgan, is a psychologist and professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Centre for Terrorism and Security Studies.
He notes foreign fighters are drawn to join ISIS by the need to “belong to something special.”
They want to find something meaningful for their life,” he said. “Some are thrill seeking, some are seeking redemption.”
Max Abrahms, also an expert on terrorism, from Northeastern University notes that from most of the terrorism research available,  those who join terrorist groups like ISIS are the most "ignorant people with respect to religion and they are generally the newest members to the religion.... They would probably fail the most basic test on Islam,"
Sadly a lot of negative things have been done in the name of religion. I remember the IRA and UDA in Northern Ireland. They called themselves Catholics and Protestants even calling themselves Christians, but by any stretch of the imagination these people were not Christian. They simply used the name. These people were in reality people who wished to stay united with England and those who wished to separate.
Their fight was fuelled by prejudges and hate built up over centuries.
Were they truly Christian they would not have been fighting. They would have obeyed the words of Christ,
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
                                Matthew5: 43-45 
They would have followed the teachings of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”   
                                                   Romans 12:18,20,21.
Whether you believe there is a God or not you cannot deny that such ideals as are expressed by Jesus and the Apostle Paul are good ideals.
Precepts that if followed would make the world a better place.
Sadly society particularly in the west is slipping away from God yet they have no substitute. Atheism and Materialism do not fill the void that many people have inside of them.
In today’s society it seems that if you do not fit into a box society has built, if you are different in any way like many of those who turn to groups like ISIS are, then you are rejected quite often by those around you. You become an outsider.
So is it any wonder when some group comes along offering inclusion and purpose  that seems good, young men and women head for it.
I am old enough to remember James Jones and the Jones town mass suicide of the late seventies.
A young charismatic man claiming to be Christian convinced a very large number of people to follow him down to the jungles of South America where they committed mass suicide.
This man like ISIS offered his followers a sense of belonging and purpose only to lead them to their deaths.
Our society is failing. Tough new laws can help protect people. Perhaps even preempt a terrorist strike but laws cannot change thoughts.
Only a social rethink can do that.
I as a Christian know Christ can change lives. Can offer a sense of belonging to the disenfranchised.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                Matthew 11:28-30.
Jesus is truly the answer to changing lives. I know because he changed mine and those of my friends and family.
He can change yours.
Think about it.