Terrorist attacks challenge our beliefs

The recent attacks on a luxury hotel in Bamako, Mali, that left at least 20 people dead and the brutal attacks in Paris, France, that claimed 130 lives and saw many wounded has left us all feeling uneasy.

The world does not feel as safe as it did a few months ago.

We want someone to do something right away to make the world a safer place in which to live.

Pope Francis, in responding to the Parisian attacks, said, “Using God’s name to justify this path is blasphemy and an affront to the dignity of the human person. Such barbarity leaves us dismayed. We ask how the human heart can conceive and realize such horrible events that have not only disturbed France but also the whole world.”

Other religious leaders offered prayers and condolences, including Michael Curry, the new presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, who offered a video prayer after the attacks.

“The violence of this evil group brings terror to all, including the Muslim world, where its cowardly acts are opposed by many,” said Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the leader of the global Anglican Communion. “This is a global and generational struggle against an evil cult that chooses death and fear.”

Some people are quick to blame Islam for the attacks. People fail to realize that this is one small part of Islam.

ISIS has attacked many Islamic groups who did not follow their way of thinking. Muslim leaders have condemned the attacks saying, “Terrorism has no religion.”

Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the Islamic State does not represent Muslims. “We are revolted by this heinous and despicable attack on civilian populations.”

We have seen knee-jerk reactions in our own country to these terrorist attacks. We are a nation that welcomes people who are persecuted for their beliefs.

The saying on the Statue of Liberty reads:

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Now, some want to put a halt to those coming from in the Mideast.

At Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral, Cardinal Vingt-Trois celebrated a special Mass in memory of the victims. The cardinal told the assembly – including government officials and ambassadors from a variety of nations – the Mass was intended to share the pain of the victims and to pray for them, their families, for Paris and for France.

Sometimes, we give the terrorists too much power. If we live in fear, then they have won. They will have succeeded if their barbaric actions shake Christians’ hope, which is founded on faith in Christ and on a belief that all of history, including moments of suffering, is in God’s hands.

At this time of the year when we call Jesus “Emmanuel” – God with us – let us act on the conviction that God is with us. Psalm 23:4 reminds us, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

The appropriate response to the barbaric brutality of the terrorists is to show additional trust in the power of God and in the dignity of every person.

“Lord, help us never to return evil for evil, but trust in your power to save us.”