Liberals & Tolerance—The Double Standard

            Regarding the proposed Koran burning in Florida, President Obama said, “If (the pastor, Terry Jones is) listening, I hope he understands that what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans. That this country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance.”  His statement got me thinking of all the times I have heard liberals preach about tolerence, all the times I have been called intolerant and all the times I have been hurt and offended by liberal lack of tolerance. 

          I recall that in 1987 Andres Serrano used tax dollars to create Piss Christ.  This so-called work of art consisted of a small crucifix submerged in a glass of his own urine.  Many Christians thought just the name was a slap in the face, but even more so to depict their savior submerged in urine was hurtful sacrilege of the worst sort.  However, the liberal community defended it as “beautiful” and gave it awards.  Meanwhile they declared Christians intolerant and lectured us on the value of free speech. 

          Then in 1999 Chris Ofili created the painting Holy Virgin Mary, showing a woman with an exposed breast made of elephant dung and surrounded by cutouts of female genitalia from pornographic magazines.  When the painting was scheduled to be shown in the taxpayer supported Brooklyn Museum of Art many objected.  Again, liberals defended this desecration as both art and free speech and lectured Christians on the benefits of tolerance. 

          Just a few years ago, in 2006, the University of Oregon student newspaper published a cartoon depiction of a naked Jesus on the Cross with an erection.  The authors said it should "provoke dialogue.”  About what?  Tolerance?   

          However, the insults liberals hurl at Christians do not stop with works of “art” and lectures on tolerance.  While the Obama administration has been vocal in denouncing the burning of the “holy Koran,” in May of 2009 they remained silent while the U.S. military burned Bibles in Afghanistan.  President Obama may not have ordered the burning, but he is the Commander-in-Chief.  He has not condemned the burning of Bibles nor has he said it was “completely contrary to our values as Americans.”

          If anyone had depicted Muhammad in such a way or burned Korans, I am certain fatwas would have been issued for their murder, as happened to Salman Rushdie and others.  Why haven’t Christians murdered these so-called artists?  Why haven’t they burned the Brooklyn Museum of Art to the ground?  Do Christians not care?   

          When something I hold sacred is desecrated, I want to lash out.  I feel no less outrage than Muslims.  However, when my Lord and Savior is insulted I am bound to follow his teachings  and turn the other cheek.  I may hurt, but I cannot follow Christ and murder unbelievers.  President Carter was ridiculed for saying that he lusted in his heart.  I understand.  In my heart, I have struck down thousands who sneer and ridicule the risen Savior.  But, I hold back the hand of vengeance because I am told it is not mine to unleash.  Christ commanded forgiveness.  If we judged religions only by the teachings of their holy books, not the actions of flawed individuals, Christianity would be proclaimed the real religion of peace.     

          As a Christian and a conservative, I do not support the burning of the Koran.  The insults to my faith, spoken of above, are mentioned for two reasons.  First, I want the world to know that the actions of these individuals hurt me and other believers and because so many liberals, who now find fault at the burning of a Koran, stood silent or worse, preached tolerance in the face of burning Bibles and the desecration of Christian symbols.  Such people are hypocrites.

Update on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 12:04AM by Kyle Pratt

Once again, I have been forced to use a vimeo version of the video after YouTube pulled the original.  This has now happened three times to me and all the videos were of controversial issues regarding Islam.  Just the facts.