September 5, 2:59 AMOakland Evangelical ExaminerJerry Wilson
Reading the assorted media accounts of the Rifqa Bary case, the words of Christ to His disciples come to mind: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (Jn. 15:18-19)."
Although the words of Christ referenced the religious rulers of His time on this earth, there is direct application to not only Ms. Bary's situation where she ran away from home earlier this summer, fearing for her life from her Muslim parents as she had become a Christian, but life as believers know it today. (More background on Ms. Bary's case available here.)
It should never come as a surprise when the world acts like, well, the world. The apostle John wrote, "Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you (1 Jn. 3:13)." Christ Himself warned his followers, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets (Lk. 6:26)."
Just as it should not come as a surprise when the world hates us if we are genuinely following Christ by living our lives according to His example, it should not come as a surprise when the media treats believers as lepers. Traditional media is saturated with non-believers. Christians are scarce; respect for them and Christ even more scarce. How else could they treat us but with contempt and a condescending attitude?
Refer back to Rifqa Bary's case. CNN's most recent article maintains a veneer of even-handedness, yet quotes no one on Rifqa's side of the case while quoting her father. Meanwhile, it links to an article in Time magazine that drips with derision toward Rifqa, labeling her a liar while viciously slandering all who support her in her quest to worship Christ without fearing for her life.
It is a seeming paradox that in today's environment where traditional media is facing increased pressure from both charges of bias and an ever-shrinking revenue base as subscriptions and advertising both dwindle away that it would stubbornly cling to the kind of coverage referenced above. Yet it does. It is more addicted to its sin than any sense of what is necessary to survive.
With this as our reality, how then should we respond?
While isolation from the world is not only impractical but in direct violation of Christ's commandment to those of us who know and love Him to be His witness to the world, it is vital for believers to come together, drawing strength and encouragement from each other.
Also important is for Christians whenever possible to promote each other. The world does enough to lift up its own. We don't need to help. Many were offended when in this space Michelle Malkin was called out for employing an aggressive atheist as one of her main writers. Why? The world already wallows in its hatred of us. What justification is there for one who states they follow Jesus to inflict further hatred on fellow believers?
Finally, it is up to all believers to spread the truth. The world lies. Don't suffer its lies in silence. Use the tools at hand to counter lies with the truth. Speak accurately. Know the facts. Spread the word.
And pray for Rifqa Bary. Unfailingly.
source: http://www.examiner.com/x-16867-Oakland-Evangelical-Examiner~y2009m9d5-No-surprise-in-media-coverage-of-Rifqa-Bary
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