This weekend we received the tragic reports of the slaughter of more than 300 Christians by Muslims in Nigeria. The reports are heart wrenching, and our prayers go out to those who suffer under such violence.  Such violence seems so senseless, unnecessary, and brutal.  It is even more disturbing when the violence is based on religious divisions and distinctions.

I have Muslim friends who assure me that faithful Muslims are not called to engage in such madness.  Likewise, as a Christian, our Lord clearly teaches that our enemies are not to be the recipients of our violence or even hatred, but prayers and compassion.   Therefore, I am left to ponder if we are not too quick in these case to sympathize with the “so-called” Christians against the “so-called” Muslims.  While the killing was done by the Muslims this time, according to reports, there also have been attacks upon the Muslims by the Christians.  According to some reports:

Some analysts believe the weekend slaughter was a revenge attack for the killing of around 150 members of the Hausa Muslim community by Christian mobs in Kuru Karama, south of Jos, in January 2010.

The fact of the matter is that I am not comfortable with the blanket statements of calling these killers Muslims, anymore than I am comfortable in calling those who kill Muslims, Christians.  Obviously, the issues concerning these attacks are far more complex than just the titles each group takes.  There is more to these conflicts than just which book they consider holy.  Nevertheless, I would not want us as Christians to assume that “so-called” Muslims are persecuting Christians while the “so-called” Christians are idly sitting by praying for and loving the Muslims.

Here is a report that gives us a little more perspective and should cause us to pray for the salvation of all involved – including our own hearts.