Cartoon draws on ignorance

In response to The Spokesman Review printing a political cartoon comparing the Christian religion to ISIS, with a terrorist and a Christian holding a sign denouncing gays, the cartoonist perpetuates a shallow, ignorant view of most Christians.

Working in a nonprofit radio ministry locally, I see numerous instances of Christians attempting to reach out to the world motivated by Christ’s literal call to love. Lending their voices and financial support to aid those being abused worldwide through international organizations helping to relieve suffering, dig wells and transport food to refugees, is a far cry from ISIS’ execution of “infidels” (i.e. Jews, gays and Christians).

I appreciated the follow-up editorial column from Trudy Rubin, who highlighted Christian organizations like Samaritan’s Purse with the call for readers to help support their work to release those who are enslaved and abused in captivity at the hands of ISIS.

When witnessing the horrors of Islamic terrorism, beware of simply choosing to likewise write off Christianity, saying, “All religions are the same.” Dig a little deeper and read the Bible’s New Testament for yourself. The core messages of Christ’s love and redemption, versus hate and jihad, could not be more profound.

Darin Patzer

Spokane