Everyone is talking about the group who wants to put up a mosque near Ground Zero in New York. Even more are now talking about the Florida pastor who thinks Koran burnings are the answer. I’m glad, at least that of this morning, he’s called the whole thing off. Yet here we are, 9 years removed from the morning the World Trade Center towers crumbled, and we still haven’t learned much. At least that is my opinion. You are free to yours.

We in America love our freedoms. We are a country built upon religious freedoms, especially. Living, though, in a representative republic that employs the democratic process means we are going to face tough questions about matters relating to all kinds of religions. We seem to be all about religious freedom and expression, as long as it has “Christian” leanings. But we are learning that freedom is a double-edged sword. We want freedom of religion because it is sacred to us; but, we also want freedom from religions like Islam. Both, though, cannot be had.

What the last 9 years have taught me is that the Way of Jesus is the only solution. Political Conservatism isn’t the answer. The panacea is a movement away from politics as usual to the Way of Jesus. Jesus never once encouraged his disciples to reform the Roman republic for the benefit of His mission in the world. I contend, first century Christians were indifferent to the political process all together. This is the route I’ve chosen. I’ve chosen Jesus as my Hope over a President. I’ve chosen the Kingdom of God as my dominion over any earthly rule. I’ve chosen the way of peace over the way of the world.

I’m glad that there has been outcry over the idiocy of a pastor who thinks Koran burnings send the message of Jesus. I also think its incredibly foolish for an Islamic group to want to erect a mosque anywhere remotely close to Ground Zero. I, personally, hope it never happens. Whatever happens, though, I hope that Christians aren’t made to look foolish because we haven’t learned to practically apply John 18:36!