At the moment I would say that we still enjoy, in this country at least, a remarkable degree of religious freedom compared to the rest of the world. That said, it is far from perfect.

Biblically based laws can only go so far. They can create an environment that enhances belief and practise, but they cannot cause belief. How shall we say to their Qur'anic beliefs that "thou shalt not murder"? By not murdering. By showing them that we value life. By valuing their lives as we value our own. By doing it in the name of Christ, which is easy and lawful to do-- when asked. So Christians need to be so different in the Muslim world as to be asked why they are so different and how they got that way.

There is much more going on in the Islamic world than is reported. It is necessary to have patience, to pray, and to understand that, as in the US, the only way things will change is for the Lord to cause them to change. We need to be assiduous in making sure that our missionaries are not just about proclaiming the Gospel, but that they are committed to nurturing disciples.

Islam is militant, but much more patiently so than Chrsitianity. People like Osama bin Laden are the aberration, but only by their impatience. Would that the same could be said of Christianity.

Stand Fast, Craigellachie!