Casting the first stone

Last week, the front page of this paper pictured a group of anti-Christian demonstrators picketing the lifting of The Wave's ban on Christian music.

The picket signs had statements including "Worship in your church, don't worship in my gym" to "Let's all spin to jihad hymns," as well as "American Taliban not welcome here."

While those people have every right to speak out their opinion, one must question the means by which they protest.

While The Wave is a community-created center, I have yet to find anyone with the authority to deny a man or woman's right to worship the God they love. Followers of Christ are summoned to worship with everything they have because they are blessed by the Lord.

The people featured last week seem to have created in their minds a connection between the Christian faith and the beliefs of radical Islam. There is no call anywhere in the Bible, the source of the Christian faith, to start a so-called "Holy War" with the world.

The book of Matthew says, "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you." The racist view these protestors have against Islamists cannot be transferred to disciples of Christ. The reference to the "American Taliban" displays an obvious ignorance of the Christian faith.

Ignorance and prejudice are not excuses for hatred and intolerance, and it is hatred that is shown when one is willing to stand by the road all day and speak out against Christians.

My suggestion to the protestors: Understand what you speak against, then keep your dignity and composure by arguing rationally.

Evan Harris

Whitefish