Idi Amin and Saddam Hussein: Christ and Mohammed

Few Christians behave like Paschal lambs. Christian pacifism suffered two blows: first the theory of just war and then the classical cult of conquerors like Alexander and Caesar. Quakers preserve the original pacifism of Christianity. Islam was a reaction to Christian pacifism and a return to Jewish bellicosity.

We posted a biography of Mohammed, which pointed out that he began his career by raiding caravans and killing some 700 Jews, which were really acts of terrorism. Like Christians, most Muslims lead "normal" lives, but Christ and Mohammed remain as role models. To the question "What would Christ do?" we can add "What would Mohammed do?". Mohammed later became a successful businessman, which Jesus was not, and it was traders who spread Islam through much of Asia. However, in the background is Mohammed, the man of violence.

This is relevant as we consider the life of Idi Amin of Uganda, one of the most bloody tyrants to deface the earth. When he was overthrown, instead of being tried as a war criminal, he was given refuge and a luxurious house in Saudi Arabia. Now that he is dead, he is being hailed as a great man in Uganda. To avoid giving his admirers a shrine, the present government has refused to allow him to be buried in Uganda. It would not be surprising if Saddam Hussein is later viewed in Iraq as a national hero. Watch those history textbooks.