Dear Thomas,
Most people are submissive to their environment , religious beliefs and family values. Sometimes submission is also driven by lack . As we grow in faith we endanger or enhance our attitudes based on what truly drives our motives.
I tell you a little story: - Thirteen years ago , I was sent to the Philippines by one of their Ambassadors, to study the prospect of Bilateral Trade opportunities with Africa. This guy was a Muslim . While in the Philippines, my guide and almost every other friend who invited me for Lunch or diner happened to belong to the same faith.
They spent all the time talking about the Muslim religion, the values and Merits ., while I continued to defend the causes and eternal values of Jesus and Christianity. This went on for six months. Everyone stood by his faith. Then it was Christmas and fortunately my birthday was just a few days after.
Then the surprise. The hotel delivered three big boxes into my room from three different Filipino families. Boldly inscribed. 'Happy Birthday '. I hurriedly opened the first packet, then the last , and found that it was the same gifts, ' THREE BIG ENGLISH VERSIONS OF THE KORAN' ?
Were they trying to violate my conscience, or did these fellows see my religion as inferior ? Instead of being submissive, I decided to show my faith by my works. I decided to read the whole Koran , to understand how the Muslim behaved, what they believed in ,and to see how they could collaborate with other Religions.
To be very brief, after reading through the Koran I had a better understanding of their lack of conviction, to oblige them to yield and give respect to my beliefs. I also discovered that even the Koran was submissive to the teachings of Jesus Christ . The lessons we all learned ,was to be humble before God and Man, no matter his Origin or Status or Religion.
Pierre Louma