Q & R: Muslims, Isis, and benevolence

Here’s the Q:

Our study group recently started a discussion of Islam, having read your book Why Did JMBM Cross the Road? as background. … In the case of Islam more than other faiths — the challenge in practical terms seems far more complex than you made it seem in your book.
I would be interested in your response to this multi-part question:
In the case of Islam — recognizing that extremists are a minority group within Islam — do you believe a strong/benevolent attitude can be effective in relation to Islamic extremists?
Can we realistically expect that if we listen and communicate with strong/benevolent Muslims, they will be able to rein in the extremists of their faith?
If so, how do we get this movement started (besides promoting your book and/or this video), in the face of what the media is showing about ISIS etc.?
Thanks for considering my questions.

Here’s the R:
I’m glad your study group has read JMBM and found it helpful. You’re certainly right – the challenge in practical terms is huge, especially if we expect that long-term problems can be solved with short-term solutions.
You might say it like this: I believe God gave us a major shot of life-saving medicine through Jesus. For 2000 years, which is, say, 400 generations (roughly speaking), some people have been taking this medicine. Slowly, a new way of dealing with violence and hatred is replacing the old. Since then, others have come along to administer “booster shots” – reiterating and clarifying Jesus’ message when it gets sidelined or distorted – people like St. Patrick, St. Brigid, St. Francis, St. Claire, Dorothy Day, Dr. King, Jon Sobrino, Desmond Tutu, Richard Twiss, Shane Claiborne, Tony and Peggy Campolo, and many more.
Meanwhile, the old habits of hate and violence are still normative for billions.
Our situation is not unlike someone who has smoked for 30 of their 50 years. If they quit smoking tomorrow, immediate health benefits will begin to manifest. But it will take many years for lungs, skin, vocal chords, blood pressure, etc., to return to normal. Consequences are “in the system” so to speak.
So … each of us does all we can to live the way of Jesus, the way of the beatitudes, the way of the kingdom of God. In so doing, we spread health. We try to teach our children to do the same so they will spread health. We move toward our enemies – not to destroy, but to “preach the good news” and to invite them into the way of peace too. That requires learning and understanding why they see and respond as they do … and building relationships so that they may at least see an option of a better way. That may seem impractical and slow-moving … but I can’t think of a better way, try as I might.
“There is no way to peace,” the old saying (from A. J. Muste) goes, “for peace itself is the way.”
As for your question, “Can we realistically expect that if we listen and communicate with strong/benevolent Muslims, they will be able to rein in the extremists of their faith?” – I have to ask two questions. First, “Can we realistically expect that if we don’t listen listen and communicate with strong/benevolent Muslims, they will be able to rein in the extremists of their faith?” … and “Can we realistically expect that if we listen and communicate with strong/benevolent Christians, they will be able to rein in the extremists of their faith?”
It’s not easy reigning in the bad behavior of others under any circumstances. I think there are two essential first steps:
1. Don’t imitate extremists – in thought, language, or behavior.
2. Provide an alternative example.
I don’t doubt that there will be military responses, police actions, etc., etc. These may contain evil; they may also unintentionally set more evil in motion. But they won’t overcome it with good. That is the work of all of us … and that was the focus of my book.
And that cause, I hope, will be advanced today in thousands of congregations around the world … gathering around a table that dares to proclaim the kingdom of God is like a wedding banquet, not like a culture war or battle zone.