"Rioting Over the Riots"

Christianity Today offers a sobering reminder to counter the simple idea that "Christianity worked off its tendencies to violence a long time ago, but Islam is only doing it now."

The riots were as inexplicable as they were deadly. Outraged youths marched through the streets, armed with guns, machetes, and nail-laden boards. They destroyed houses of worship and businesses owned by religious minorities. At roadblocks, they demanded to know the religion of each passerby. Those who answered incorrectly were beaten to death, then decapitated, dismembered, and burned in the streets. The victims—more than 100—had nothing to do with what had supposedly sparked the outrage. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Muslims rioting over the publication of Muhammad caricatures? Sadly, no. These were Nigerian Christians rioting over the riots.

The editorial also takes to task pugnacious Christian groups in the U.S. who have advocated publishing the Muhammad cartoons more widely and have called decisions not to publish "appeasement":

[Deciding not to publish so as to avoid offense] echoes Paul's instruction to the Corinthians: "Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved."

Tom