Christian Faith Is Not A Hobby

Many people throughout the world practice their religion at the level of a hobby.  Hobbies are activities or interests primarily pursued for pleasure.  They pass the time.  From  a hobby perspective a Muslim or Christian may be viewed no differently than a stamp collector.  So, why can't we all  just get along?  "We have more in common than we think."  For those who practice their religion at the level of a hobby, they do have a lot in common.  But for those who take their faith beyond that of a hobby, the differences are wide.   

However, as a hobby our faith is void of objective reality and is reduced to private feelings, attitudes and perspectives.  It's not about truth, just different ways to practice our hobbies.  Religion is tolerated in our culture as long as it does not rise above the level of a hobby.  As long as it doesn't influence our thinking it is acceptable.  Important aspects of life and death would certainly take precedent over one's hobbies.  You can serve on the Supreme Court, just don't let your hobby influence your judgments.  Throughout the Free World Christianity is tolerated as long as it is practiced at the level of a hobby in the service to the secular demoncracy.

That's one of the problem with Muslim extremists.  They have elevated Islam to more than a hobby.  According to public opinion the problem in the Middle East is not Islam, it is the commitment that some extremists have to Islam.  That's the problem and that's what needs to change.

It seems to me that our general game plan in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan is to create a liberal secular democracy to which commitment to those secular democracies is more important than commitment to Islam.

Such a game plan is not just happening in the Middle East.  I heard on the news this morning that all extremists--those who take their faith beyond the level of a hobby--are dangerous.  Both Christian and Muslim extremists are considered dangerous by some and must be controlled.  But, how do they define extremist?  What does the Christian extremist look like?  Self-sacrificing?  How dangerous is that?