Thoughts on President Obama's Speech in Cairo

While speeches don’t solve problems they do help set the tone and create the environment by which difficult and complex issues can be worked on. And we live in a day where there are several complex issues facing people all over the world.

Even leaders of some of our largest US companies are realizing (as a result of some huge failures) that to lead in today’s world requires listening and learning not just idealistic views that are communicated and adhered to regardless of what effect those views have in the real world and on real people’s lives.

The complex issues that President Obama addressed in his speech such as violent extremism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, nuclear proliferation, Middle East “democracy” and women’s rights are very complex and require dialogue not just monologue. I don’t think there will be progress made regarding those issues with one-sided, dogmatic thinking. And I think his speech paves the way for much-needed dialogue.

The US version of democracy is not necessarily the solution for other countries with deep and rich histories and with very different cultures and I believe we should be careful not to think our version of democracy is what is needed in very different parts of the world. As was said in today’s speech, “elections alone do not make true democracy.”

I am concerned that we, as US citizens, can be so US-centric. I feel like we are living in a day when we have a great opportunity to have a broader worldview, where we can learn about and grow to appreciate people who for so long have been “other”. But we sometimes come across like we are in a competition to be the best and most powerful nation on earth… and – for those of us who follow Jesus - our patriotism seems to trump our Christianity.

I think we would be helped by realizing that we are no longer living in the days of the Hebrew Scriptures (or “Old Testament”) when national boundaries were equivalent to religious ones. Jesus taught us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves….and he used an outcast like a Samaritan to drive that point home - a people group who were hated by Jews and today’s equivalent of a Muslim or a Palestinian.

I am concerned when it seems as though many people’s opinions are formed by email forwards or commentators who are predisposed to be against everything done and every decision made by the “other” party. This has been the case for years and happens from both sides of the aisle.

We have to be careful not to demonize the “other”… whether that is a politician who doesn’t share all of ours views or a people group who practice a religion that is so different than ours.

I think President Obama’s speech in Cairo this morning was marked by wisdom and given with the understanding that we can no longer use language and terminology that incites more hatred, war and destruction, but helps create the environment for dialogue, diplomacy and peace.

Some Christians may have a problem with recitations from the Qur’an in the speech, but it is important to note that Paul used a quotation from Greek poets to build a bridge in his communication with the philosophers in Athens (as recorded in Acts 17).

Yes, there are clear violations of human rights being perpetuated by predominantly Muslim nations, but there is a time and a place to address those issues and I don’t think today was the time nor the place. It is wise to “be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” and to work in steps toward understanding and peace.

To draw a parallel with our work among the people of La Limonada it would be unwise for us to go into the community and try to confiscate all the guns and drugs from the people. It is best for us to sit down with them, to get to know them, to build relationships and to help lead them in steps out of a life of destruction.

It seems as though it is just as challenging for a nation to abide by the principal “love your enemies” as it is for us on a personal level, but I am hopeful.

There has been so much war, so much destruction and so much pain over the past several years as it relates to our relationship with the Muslim world. Too many mothers and fathers have had to receive news of slain soldiers. Too many Middle Eastern parents have watched their children die. But I have hope that another way is possible.

I Timothy 2:1-3 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior..."