Confessions of a Hater: A Response to the Daily Herald
Sandy Rios, May 11, 2006
 
Imagine my surprise when I read this week in the Herald that my presentation at the National Day of Prayer “sparked debate,” that according to Congressional Candidate, Tammy Duckworth, my comments were “hateful,” and finally, I could “not be reached,” or so said Herald writer Eric Krol, who felt free then to embellish my comments with his own word…“bloodthirsty” to describe Islam.

Aside from the unreported “fact” that the annual event is not interfaith and privately funded, I would also like to note that Tammy Duckworth was not there to hear it. As a matter fact, neither was Senator Peter Roskam, upon whose shoulders was squarely placed the attempted “blame” for my “hatred.” As both reporters knew, Peter Roskam was no more responsible for my remarks than I am for his votes in Springfield. How ridiculous…no…how cunning to lay this trap, using my words as the snare.

What terrible things did I say, you might ask? I talked about the uniqueness of the Judeo-Christian God and how the more I have seen his handprint on the many nations and people groups I have visited, the more convinced I am He is the one true God. I reminded them of the first commandment “Thou shalt have no other gods before me,” and told them that Jehovah is NOT Allah. While Allah demands vengeance and blood on those who will not follow him, the God of our fathers offers mercy, grace and forgiveness to ALL through the blood of His only son. Truth or not …which God would you choose?

I’ve made my choice and understand fully what that means. To Chinese Christians it means imprisonment, beatings and fines; in North Korea almost certain death; in the Middle East, your head in the process.

I can understand why Sheik Abdool R. Kahn, (whom the reporter tracked down in Villa Park for a reaction) would view my remarks as blasphemy. But I would not advocate killing him for saying it. I challenge him to deny the Koran doesn’t offer that same freedom to “infidels” like me. When his holy book says “kill or convert” the non-Muslim, THAT sounds like “hate speech” to me.

Totalitarian states always move to “group think.” They start with redefining words like “hate” and intimidate people into agreement. The penalty for non-agreement becomes labels of “extremism” and sometimes “insanity.” “Re-education” is then necessary to make sure everyone talks the “party” line.” Ask the Russians if it weren’t so. Ask the Chinese…ask the oppressed people of North Korea.

If saying that Jehovah God is King of Kings and Lord of lords…the Alpha and the Omega, is now “hate speech,” then I will see you in the Gulag.

For Christ and His Kingdom!
Sandy Rios