How should we respond to Johnnie’s invocation of the Hidden Imam?
A reader asked me what I thought about this quote from the Iranian president’s speech at the UN. He noted that he had put Johnnie’s “subtle attack on Christianity” in bold:
I emphatically declare that today’s world, more than ever before, longs for just and righteous people with love for all humanity, and above all, longs for the perfect, righteous human being and the real savior who has been promised to all peoples and who will establish justice, peace, and brotherhood on the planet. all Almighty God, all men and women are your creatures, and you have ordained their guidance and salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirst for justice, the perfect human being promised to all by you, and make us among his followers, among those who strive for his return and his cause.I replied:
It’s a skillfully crafted statement, both ecumenic (reaching out to all mankind) and particularist (asserting the “real” Shi’ite savior). An American Christian might do somewhat the same thing, make a Christian statement that goes to “all humanity, of all faiths,” but that is specifically about Christ.Another reader wrote:
It’s not acceptable, Larry, what are you, a dhimmi? The world is not longing for the Islamic savior and he has no right to put it that way at the UN.I replied:
What do you mean, he has no right? He can say what he likes, but others can attack it. I would have no problem with another UN member saying: Posted by Lawrence Auster at September 21, 2006 11:08 AM | Send Email entry |