It seems that millions of Muslims are incensed at the depiction of their prophet in some unflattering cartoons. Just a little research turned up the following reports:

• Dalil Boubakeur, president of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, said the French newspaper's decision to publish the offensive cartoons was an act of "real provocation towards the millions of Muslims living in France."
"We are angry — very, very, very angry," said Jamila Al Shanty, one of six women elected to represent Hamas in the Palestinian Parliament. "No one can say a bad word about our prophet."
• The incident is causing diplomatic strains as well as threats to citizens of countries where the cartoons have been printed.
• Jyllands-Posten has received two bomb threats in the past few days, though it earlier apologized for any hurt feelings the drawings may have caused.
• Hizbollah head Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah told a religious rally on Wednesday night in Beirut those steps were not enough. "Can recalling an ambassador and boycotting goods resolve the problem? The answer is no," Nasrallah said. "I call on Muslim scholars, leaders and all Muslims to take a firm stand because if we forgive today God knows what they will do tomorrow."

(Remember in 1989 when Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Khomeini calls on Muslims to kill British author Salman Rushdie for alleged blasphemy in his book The Satanic Verses?)

Here's the other big "religious" story making the news.

One of the headlines in a media publication reads: BRITNEY SPEARS TO PLAY A CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIAN ON 'WILL AND GRACE'

NEW YORK (AP) - Just days after canceling "The Book of Daniel," N-B-C may have found another way to anger the Christian community. The network says Britney Spears will play a conservative Christian on "Will and Grace." On the April 13th episode, the pop star is to portray a Christian sidekick to gay talk show host Jack McFarland. When Jack's fictional network, Out T-V, is bought by a Christian T-V network, Spears contributes a cooking segment called "Cruci-fixins." "The Book of Daniel" featured a pill-popping Episcopal priest with a loose-living family who had casual chats with Jesus. It was canceled after three weeks amid Christian protests and low ratings.

What's missing?

Where are the millions of angered Christians? Where are the governments and their recall of Diplomats? Where are the riots? Where are the angry and incensed armed and offended Christians? Where are the voices of prominent religious leaders? Where are the firings of the guilty parties? Where's the outrage?

I mean, if Muslims can riot in the streets, threaten citizens, boycott products and demand government intervention because they are offended at a perceived (or real) insult to their prophet - why can't Christians do the same?

Here's the short answer: We can't and don't because we are CHRISTIANS! Our code of ethics and rules for Christian behavior are vastly different. We may go on a letter writing campaign or boycott a product but violent and destructive behavior is not condoned by scripture.

The person of Jesus is certainly maligned in our world. The Christian faith and family is mocked in all major media and a vicious anti-Christian battle is raging in many countries. According to Dr. James Kennedy, more Christians have been killed for their faith in our lifetime than in all other history combined.

When you read news articles about religious outrage always pay attention to the deeds of those outraged persons. Their actions will usually clearly define the "controlling spirit" behind their anger and behavior.

I pray the Lord blesses you today.

Warmly, in His love and life,

Roland Scroggins

© 2006