Sadly I have to say that bad impressions and feelings can remain with me for a long time. The deeper something touches me, the stronger mark it leaves and doesn't let to forget about itself.
That's how it was (or rather still IS) with the disappointment and some kind of, I guess, disgust, I experienced a week ago on a Sunday mass. During the sermon our priest wanted to picture Christianity as a religion of life. However his short story didn't do a good job, at least not for me, and I am not sure how others felt about it. Basically, intentionally or not, Islam has been compared to something dead. The last words of the story, which were supposed to be the words of wisdom told by a Christian to a Muslim, were something like: "our religion is about life, yours is in a coffin". This was with reference to the coffin of Mohammad, Muslims' most important prophet, which apparently has its place in Mecca, the holy city for Muslims and the destination of Hajj, their most important pilgrimage. (there were not so many details, I just put them here for your convenience ;))
Not even getting into the whole issue of how incorrect and inappropriate this comment was - because Islam is not dead, it is not about death, and they do believe, like Christians, in everlasting life in paradise - I don't understand how a person clearly aspiring to, and trying to be a spiritual leader and a guide was able to say something so offending about any religion. I was literally shocked. Where is love and respect? Where is this famous Christian humility, not getting on the heights and into the first rows?
As a Christian, I am ashamed for those who aim to represent me and others by saying such things. I really don't want MY spiritual guide to be like that, and I am deeply sorry for all the people who listen to those like him with respect and attention. If they truly keep his words in their minds and hearts as wisdom, no surprise people of different beliefs hate each other more and more. So so sad.
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