"Can Christians really trust an Arab movement?"

While there are no easy answers, one thing is clear: The Arab Spring has put American Christians in a dilemma. Many are wondering, “Can we really support a movement fronted by Arabs—and more specifically, by Muslims?”

The fact that Arabs would desire many of the same freedoms Americans enjoy, and they would choose to express these desires non-violently, goes against every stereotype many American Christians have been taught to believe.

Many have been raised under a certain end-times theology, groomed to harbor deep suspicion of all things Arab. For Christians who follow this way of thinking, the formation of Israel in 1948—and the subsequent 750,000 Arabs who either left their homes or were expelled—was a result of divine prophecy, a rebooting of the prophetic time clock, triggering a series of events that will culminate in the return of Christ.

In this particular theology, Arabs are often cast in the role of the violent “sons of Ishmael” who always have, and always will, persecute Jews (and their stepchildren, Christians) until Jesus comes back. So is it any wonder millions of American Christians schooled in this theology are suspicious of masses of Arabs demonstrating on the streets?

“What exactly are they aspiring to?” asks this Christian. “Is it the destruction of Israel, or the annihilation of Christians?”

Further complicating matters is that many American Christians’ primary source of information about Arabs, the Middle East and Muslims in general is what they read in newsletters highlighting the suffering of persecuted Christians. They see radical fundamentalists burning down churches, and Christians being ostracized, beaten, imprisoned or killed for their faith—and often these atrocities are taking place in predominantly Muslim countries. This leads one to conclude Muslims have an innate hatred toward Jesus and His followers.

The reality is a bit more complex.

What do Muslims really believe about Christians?

Contrary to popular belief, the Quran does not call for the indiscriminate killing of Christians, so fears that a group like the Muslim Brotherhood would automatically start killing Christians upon seizing power is overstated. Jews and Christians are called “People of the Book” in the Quran, not infidels.

Jesus is also highly revered in the Quran, though not given the same divine status as in the New Testament. The Quran specifically commands Muslims to protect Jewish and Christian houses of worship (churches, synagogues, holy sites). It’s true that in some cases. Christians have to pay a tax under Islamic law, and that open proselytizing is forbidden, but Muslims see these laws as protecting, not subjugating, Christians.

I’ve befriended and interacted with thousands of Muslims over the years, and one of the questions I often get is, “Why do so many American Christians accuse us of persecuting Christians?” They think it’s strange because, from their perspective, Christians in their countries have freedom to worship as they please. A lot of my Muslim friends, especially the ones in the Middle East, are even proud of the fact that the Christian minorities in their countries date back to the first century, and have held on to their traditions. They would argue that—right or wrong—Christians in their countries have been treated far better than minorities in Christian lands (think: the Crusades and the Inquisition).

While most Muslim countries today do not allow for open proselytizing as is common in the West, and it is true that Muslims who convert to Christianity are often persecuted, it’s not true that Christians have always treated Muslims better than Muslims have treated Christians. When you look at the long view of history, even up to recent history, the reality is a bit more nuanced.

This is an explosive issue on both sides, so here are a few points to offer perspective:

1. Christianity is viewed by most Muslims as the religion of the colonialists, the people who come (or came) with a Bible in one hand and a gun in the other. They view missionaries, and their spiritual offspring, as a ploy by the colonialist powers to occupy their land, exploit their resources and subjugate their people.

2. Muslims who convert to Christianity aren’t just persecuted by other Muslims; they’re often viewed with suspicion, and sometimes outright derision, by the Christian population who trace their faith through the centuries. I’ve also seen “Insider Muslims” (Muslims who follow Jesus but don’t call themselves “Christians”) persecuted by those who have openly converted to Christianity.

3. In some cases, radical Christians are just as violent as radical Muslims. Americans often feel violence between Christians and Muslims is a one-way street, with Muslims as the persecutors and Christians as the victims. Muslims feel the exact opposite. They think of “us” as the persecutors and “them” as the victims.

So what does this have to do with the current situation in the Middle East?

For one thing, America has supported ruthless dictators in Muslim lands for years. Take Egypt, for example. Mubarak was a tyrant. He tortured, manipulated elections, controlled the media, stole billions of dollars from the Egyptian people to finance his lavish lifestyle and enrich his cronies, all with support from the United States. The same story can be repeated throughout the Muslim world.

It stands to reason that when a people see skyrocketing food prices and high unemployment, while their leaders are living lavishly, they’re going to want change. Just like Americans, they want free elections and a chance to determine their future. Because we’ve been the ones financing their dictators, they see the U.S. as an obstacle to their freedom, not a partner for peace and equality.

This is why the question of whether or not American Christians should support Arab aspirations for democracy is easily answered with a resounding “yes.” It’s silly to think their primary motivation is religious domination, or some plot to establish a global Muslim theocracy.

Sadly, many Arabs have negative perceptions of American Christians. If we choose to not support them now, they will continue to stereotype Americans as warmongering hypocrites. That has huge implications for indigenous Christians living in Arab lands. If some theorize American Christians’ approval of the revolutions could lead to the greater persecution of Christians in Arab lands, then how might our disapproval also lead to the greater persecution of Christians in Arab lands?

Carl Medearis

Carl is an international expert in the field of Arab-American and Muslim-Christian relations.

He acts as a catalyst for a number of current movements in the Middle East to promote peace-making, as well as cultural, political and religious dialog leading toward reconciliation. He is the author of the acclaimed book on these issues, Muslims, Christians and Jesus.

Carl, his wife Chris, and three kids lived in Beirut, Lebanon for 12 years. Through their unique and strategic approach around the Arab world, they encouraged university students, business professionals and political leaders to live their lives by the principles and teachings of Jesus in order to change their societies and nations.

Today Carl spends much of his time working with leaders both in the West and in the Arab world with the hope of seeing the Arab Middle East and the West experience full and fruitful relationships through the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.