Pastor Lloyd

9/11 Memorial Address

I was able to speak today at the Old Bridge Municipal Building in memorial of the 9/11 anniversay. I wanted to share with the rest of you what I was able to share.

We find ourselves gathered here today on the 9th anniversary of the most horrific attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor.  Even nine year later, this great struggle of will rages between those who attempt to intimidate and destroy and those who would seek to preserve a peaceful existence.
 
That fateful day 9 years ago many innocent lives were lost.  We encountered what many throughout the world had already tasted —an unreasonable and barbaric few determined for world conquest.

Upon surface examination many proposed that the world might be a better place without religion, as it seems to provoke intense strife and stir up strong emotions between peoples.

But I think it extremely shortsighted and naive to not recognize the conflict’s real source. Otherwise we stand little chance in trying to secure a peaceful existence between many different people groups in this great nation.

The very foundations laid by our Founding Fathers secured a path to have a peaceful co-existence for a wide diversity of different groups.

In the great marketplace of ideas, one should have the freedom to exchange those thoughts and ideals and if they so choose, to seek to influence others.

But there is a big difference between one being confident in his beliefs which may lead to influencing people and the insecurity of another leading to forceful attempts to control with terror and manipulation.

We can no longer tolerate the veiled threats to the peace and security of Americans if they do not acquiesce to the demands of a particular religion.

That the American culture is steeped in the Judeo-Christian ethic is beyond question. Many other religious viewpoints have enjoyed the freedom to thrive largely because of the freedom loving nature of the founding principles of this nation.  

But the time has come when American culture is being more frequently challenged by the terror and intimidation from those apparently convinced their viewpoint would not be influential any other way.  

Let’s not be afraid to dialogue even if some refuse since they have nothing better to say than terror.

Let the Taoist assert the value of the Tao in society. Let the Hindu contend for Hinduism. Let the Muslim argue for the value of the Koran. Let the Catholic contend for the value of the church and tradition and the Protestant for the value of the Scriptures.

Though it is freedom of speech that allows for the burning of Flags and Religious books, that kind of speech betrays that you have nothing else that is significant to say.  

Rather let’s seek, to live in such a way by loving our neighbor, to influence by our lifestyle that our belief brings about the best.  Lets compete as the Bible challenges – Outdo one another in love!

The great challenge of old between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, God answered by fire and it secured the attention of the onlookers.

But later God revealed to Elijah the big demonstration of fire and intimidation could not change the heart of people.

Elijah experienced a great earthquake, a strong wind tearing at the rocks and a tremendous fire but in each case the Lord told him He was not in those things.  Then he heard a still small voice and learned that the quiet influences of the Lord and the sweet influence of the love and encouragement of others is what kept over 7000 faithful to God. The godly character of a neighbor and friend or family member is far more influential than intimidation and fear.

Yes there will always be those with no winsome position who feel that all they can do is intimidate others to their position.  They may seek to create havoc and fear with the modern tactic of terrorism.  

But we have proof today, testified by those here, that we will not be swayed and moved by threat. These dear ones still memorializing those innocent loved ones who died a cruel death that the hands of those radicals are our stones of remembrance of the need to open dialog and ignore intimidation.

As Apostle James said it well— Jas 2:18 Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.