Discrimination

C. Christian Tradition

C1. Introduction

There are instances galore throughout the history of the churches of their appearing to promote negative discrimination. Inter-denominational squabbling such as has characterised the churches' territorial claims on access to special sites in Jerusalem even in recent times. The spitting in the name of the two different Christian communities in N Ireland is a tragic reminder of the even more terrible thirty years of open religious warfare between the European churches in the seventeenth century.

Yet when it is true to the charter documents of its faith, the church properly is a community of forgiveness, a fellowship of reconciliation. Examples abound of this overall ambition for mutual acceptance and communion.

C2. Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much
seek to be consoled as to console; to be
understood as to understand; to be loved as to
love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in
pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in
dying that we are born to eternal life.

C3. Francis, Friend of Muslims

Tensions between Christians and Muslims were high in the 13th century, with evidence of physical destruction by of the faithful in both traditions. Contrary to his expectations, when Francis went to meet with Saladin in 1215, he was graciously received and listened to; he in turn formed the view that God is not without witnesses from within Islam.

http://www.tentofabraham.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=22

St. Francis was among the first who called for peace and dialogue, and cast off violence and wars. And for our part, as Muslims, we are reminded of his visit to the middle east during the crusader wars, and of his condemnation of the European military actions against the Muslim nations, when he called them irrelevant actions, contrary to Christ's message of peace. It was not such an easy move during that period when of fundamentalism, grudge and enmity were so high among the Crusaders. Therefore, St. Francis was badly treated and molested on account of his noble attempts.
However , the saint paid a special visit to the Ayyubi Sultan Al Kamel, in Damietta who welcomed him and gathered for him a group of Muslim scholars to exchange with them their views and ideas about religious matters. Just as St. Francis was a true beleiver in Christianity, so also was Sultan Al Kamel with regard to his Islam. Hence they both agreed to continue the dialogue on the principle of ending violence and bloodshed, and to pursue the dialogue to achieve peace and justice among people. The sultan was also generous to the saint, offering him valuable gifts. The man of God declined, but he was persuaded to take them and distribute them among the poor Churches. Dr. Kamel Al-Sharif Secretary General, International Islamic Council for Da'wa and Relief, Egypt

C4. A Black Spiritual: 'He's got the whole world in his hands'

1. He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the sun and the moon in His hands,
He's got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

2. He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He's got the whole world in his hands.

3. He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the tiny little baby in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

4. He's got everybody in His hands,
He's got everybody in His hands,
He's got everybody in His hands,
He's got the whole world in His hands.

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