Another display of eagerness to engage in fantasy was the sycophantic Loving God and Neighbor Together. In this statement, Yale theologians-and-friends naively responded to A Common Word Between Us and You, a letter from international Muslim leaders inviting Christians to embrace Islam. The Yale response\u2019s \u201d\u02dcbold\u2019 insertion of Christianity into the conversation references Jesus\u2019 admonition to the Pharisee to remove the log from his own eye before attempting to deal with the splinter in his neighbor\u2019s eye (Matthew 7:5). But they cite Christ\u2019s words in order to apologize for such Christian \u201clogs\u201d\u009d as the Crusades and the War on Terrorism.<\/p>\n
This was a strategic blunder according to theologian and author the Rev. Dr. Mark Durie, since \u201cit sends the signal to Muslims that whatever the problems with Islam, and whatever the sins of Muslims, they are but a \u201d\u02dcspeck\u2019 compared to the collective crimes of Christians.\u201d\u009d It was also a moral failure, because it betrays Christians in the Islamic world who are being slaughtered.<\/p>\n
Durie explains that the Yale response, \u201cadopts a self-humbling, grateful tone.\u201d\u009d This is disturbing, he says, because it fits right in with the classic Islamic understanding that Christians are dhimmis who should be grateful \u201cfor the generosity of having their lives spared\u201d\u009d and humble, because their condition as dhimmis is contemptible. \u201cIt is regrettable that the Yale theologians have shown themselves so ready to adopt a tone of grateful self-humiliation,\u201d\u009d Durie reproves, since A Common Word \u201cdid not offer awareness of, or any apology for, Muslims\u2019 crimes, past and present, against non-Muslims.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Such a scenario is sure to be played out next week when the Washington National Cathedral of the Episcopal Church hosts a \u201cChristian-Muslim Summit,\u201d\u009d March 1-3, 2010.<\/p>\n