Why condemn faith outreach?

Former Arkansas governor and 2012 presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee found himself in hot water this week after he called Islam the "antithesis of the gospel of Christ" and said that churches that share worship space with Muslims are caving to a religion "that says that Jesus Christ and all the people that follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated."

In an analysis of how Islam may shape campaign politics, Politico's Bryon Tau wrote: "As Republican candidates define their national security stands in the 2012 elections, conservative discomfort with Islam in America will be a feature of the debate."

Should Islam be debated on the campaign trail? Are religious issues in danger of being exploited?

Rather than generic condemnations of Islam, offering worship space to a Muslim group could be a genuine act of Christian hospitality. During times of international tensions we know that little Muslim schoolkids in America often get bullied at school. Right after 9/11, I read reports of Christians walking those kids along the routes as an act of solidarity, as one way to love their neighbors.

Similarly, reaching out to another religion by offering worship space can be a gesture of building trust and relationship-forming in a way that might even open up dialogue about convictions that are precious to many of us --especially convictions about the person and mission of Jesus Christ. Why would any Christian politician want to condemn such gestures on the campaign trail?

By Richard Mouw  |  February 22, 2011; 10:15 AM ET Save & Share:                 
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