“This action is nothing but blasphemy,” and “we won’t be here typing” if it had been about Islam’s Mohammed, they say
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Christians on social media have taken umbrage at the provocative disrespect some Muslims have shown to Jesus Christ on the banner they hoisted at the gate of the Lekki Central Mosque in Lagos, which trended on Wednesday.
“Jesus Christ is not God. He is a Prophet and Messenger of God!”, the banner the banner written on black and red background proclaims, with Christians wondering what prompted Muslims to put that out when they already say they have nothing to do with the Saviour of the world – “whosoever will” (Revelation 21:17 KJV).
The banner quoted Quran 5:72 as saying, “Allah says, They have disbelieved those who say that God is the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary.
“While the Messiah had said, ‘Children of Israel, worship God, my Lord and your Lord. God has forbidden Paradise to anyone who worships something else besides Him.’”
But, to those who believe, The Bible makes clear in several passages that Jesus Christ is the Word of God, Jesus Christ is the Son God, Jesus Christ is God, and God is Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is God
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isiah 9:6 KJV).
Jesus Christ is the Word of God, and is God
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God ….
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-2, 14 NKJV).
Jesus Christ is equal with God
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:5-6 NKJV).
God says Jesus Christ is God
“To the Son He says: ‘Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A sceptre of righteousness is the scepter of Your Kingdom’” (Hebrews 1:8 NKJV).
Reactions across social media platforms on the unprovoked Muslim denigration of Jesus Christ on the Lekki mosque banner reflect the religious beliefs of the commenters, with Muslims supporting the desecration and Christians using words such as “blasphemy” and “disrespectful” to sum up their disgust.
In the comments collated below, one Christian wrote that if the case had been about Islam’s Mohammed, “we won’t be here typing” as everywhere would have been set on fire by Muslim extremists.
Actress Wumi Tuase
“I don’t like to get into religious conversations but I found it very weird that Lekki Central Mosque has this in front of their gate.”
#Fisayo Ojabodu
“You don’t see the banner is disrespectful to other people’s religion. And is propagating foolish agenda.”
#Adesuwa
“This action is nothing but blasphemy.”
#FS Yusuf
“Christianity is actually a religion of peace.
“In the last two decades, my family church has been set on fire by Muslim extremists for ridiculous reasons such as religious extremism and Buhari losing his 2011 election.
“This is the reality for hundreds of churches and also innocent individuals accused of blasphemy.
“If this write-up was done by a Christian organisation, we won’t be here typing. Until we learn to uphold tolerance, we can’t make progress as a pluralistic society.”
GeradTheGreat
“Jesus is God, Jesus is your King and Jesus will pass judgment on all. For judgment will only be fair through him that has walked in your flesh and felt your pain.”
Joycccc
“We are so peaceful, and we will remain peaceful, we don’t fight for our God, He fights for himself.”
Expope
“The late Deborah [Samuel] they set on fire [in Sokoto] has not done up to this before they all joined hands to terminate her life.”
#ChristTheLighhouse
“We as Christians accept criticism, backlash, rejection, and even insults. Our Lord and saviour whom we believe and serve received more up to the point of death! He prayed for unbelievers and his persecutors and killers.
“The gospel of repentance and conversation into Christianity and acceptance of Jesus as ones personal Lord and Saviour is never by force, war, coercion or propaganda … it’s by the gentle acts of the Holy Spirit of God.
“That is the game changer. It’s a personal experience. Ask Saul (later Paul) of Tarsus!”
Silva Bella
“It’s not about Christianity is a religion of peace or not … Jesus is not God. I have read the Bible a lot of time and it obvious but I can’t still get why people call Jesus God. He’s the son which means God is the father.”
Muhammad Shaikhan
“The beauty of this drama between Christians and Muslims is that everyone of us knows that God is one. God is always a God. We can’t substitute God with anybody.
“The argument is all about the teaching of Jesus and that of Prophet Muhammad, Peace be upon them. So I don’t vex.”
Abdul’fattah Muhdl’awwal
“Jesus himself never said he is God.
“You and the likes are the ones calling him God. Hence the quote in that banner is the fact and not blasphemous.”
Olawale
“The message on the banner is true.”
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