Some further thoughts from the academic dean of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Lebanon.
Through the responses that I received, it became clear to me that there are many misunderstandings about certain realities in the Middle East. The first has to do with the use of the term "terrorist." The term has been so grossly misused for political rhetoric in the past few years that only those who are willing to question deeply-rooted conventions will be able to hear me.
See if you are one who can hear him.
Accad also points out something else that I have been greatly troubled by lately. In David Gushee's response to Dr. Accad's first letter, he notes the "disturbing," yet apparently "reliable," reports that Iran's
president, Ahmadinejad, adhered to "an apocalyptic form of Islam that
envisions such massive destruction as a prelude to the return of the
hidden Imam who will then guide all humanity." For my part, I have been disturbed by the images on the news of people I must refer to as Christian extremists who cheer on every Israeli bomb and are no longer buying green bananas, as they await Christ's imminent return to, ahem, guide all of humanity. Now, Iran's president is clearly a nutjob, but I don't see a whole lot of difference in storylines. (And yes, I used the term "Christian extremists." I refuse to call them Zionist Christians, or Christian Zionists, or whatever.)
Read 'Who Is My Neighbor' in the Lebanon-Israel Conflict?
Come to think of it, perhaps Dr. Accad is one clear exception to my post of yesterday.
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