Posted on 04/24/2002 8:53:02 PM PDT by grimalkin
I thought there were five pillars:
OH NO! That would be inhumane. That is reserved for Christians only. Such as David Koresh and the Branch Davidians.
"Except for the technicalities on the devil stuff, I have to agree on the general point."
By "technicalities", do you mean the use of the concept of "the devil" and "Satan". I use these concepts metaphorically and because they are symbols common to Islam, Christianity, and Judiasm and to avoid lengthy, tedious explanations. ("An ounce of inaccuracy is worth a ton of explanation.")
"it got overall relatively civil only in the last few hundred years"
The Inquisition was not abolished until the early 1800's.
"As soon as there are no more really Islamic states, things may get better much more quickly."
Yes. I agree completely. If freedom of religion can be established in the Islamic theocracies, including the freedom to convert safely from Islam to other religions and the freedom of other religions to proselytize it will be a good beginning to the solution of this major problem facing the world.
Islam could evolve, as Christianity and Judiasm have. Let's hope it does.
However this is the crux of the problem: the resistance of Islam to Western Civilization--the clash of these two civilizations whose most fundamental assumptions conflict. Something's gotta give.
Good for me.
The Inquisition was not abolished until the early 1800's
Yes, but the burning for witchcraft and heresy were starting to become rather isolated incidents by then. I was talking about the overall tone of the religion.
Something's gotta give.
Unfortunately, I think you're right.
The Inquisition happened over 500 years ago.
Christian converts from Islam are being sentenced to death TODAY. It is A.D. 2002. It is long past time that such barbaric policies be abandoned.
Here.
Unfortunately, they don't get the exposure that is needed.
Here.
Unfortunately, they don't get the exposure that is needed.
I just read the article. This leader does not mention the type of tolerance I spoke about at all. However, I do think he is the kind of guy who I should approach to see how he will respond to the question, are Muslims in America free to leave Islam without being labeled a murdad and thus have the sentence of death declared on them?
I'll let you know if I get a response from him.
A Man of Peace Unmasked - Michael Savage interviews Shaykh Khabbani
However, it should be noted that the clowns you mentioned were not following the teachings of Jesus. But the Muslims in this report are following the teachings of Mohammed.
It also didn't take place in the twenty-first century!
Yes, good point.
Dear friends at the Islamic Supreme Council of America,
I was very happy to see your web site. Someone directed me to your web site after I had a short discussion about some important issues related to religion and freedom in America.
Please allow me to introduce myself and take some time to tell you about the issue which I would like to discuss with you.
I am the president of the Center of Peace and Hope in Christ for Afghanistan <www.afghanbibles.com>. The purpose of our organization is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the people of Afghanistan (especially those Afghans living in America). I do realize that the purpose of our organization is something that is frowned upon my Muslim organizations. I did want to let you know who I am in order make the full context of my request clear to you.
Our efforts to bring the teachings of Jesus to Muslims take place in the context of complete freedom. Not only is there is freedom to conduct such activity in America, individuals also have the freedom to listen to what we have to say and the freedom to totally disregard our message and not bother with us in any way. Our method is to make the message available for people, it is each person's decision what to do with the availability of the message.
Just as there are many people who used to call themselves Christians who now call themselves Muslims, there are also many people who used to call themselves Muslims but who are now followers of Jesus Christ. These people have come to the conclusion, for themselves, that the message of Mohammed is no longer relevant for them and that the teachings of the Quran is not what they want to follow.
For these dear fellow Americans who are from a Muslim background, there are threats against them by many who call themselves Muslims. There is even the teaching which states that any Muslim who leaves Islam is called a "murtad" and deserves the death penalty. These fellow Americans are virtually living under the sentence of death right here in America.
For some time now I have been looking for Muslim leaders in America to demonstrate the level of tolerance allowed for in the United States Constitution. I think all of us who are involved in religious activity would teach about various theological implications of being a follower of one religion or another and the consequences in the life hereafter. This is a natural character of religion itself. However, the U.S. Constitution does allow the complete freedom for people to convert to any religion they want. And no person should live under the threat of death in America by religious zealots who call for their death.
In my public speaking at churches I openly say that anybody is free to walk away from Christ. Jesus himself allowed people to walk away from him and his teachings. There is no threat against anyone who decides to leave Christian religion.
I am looking for Muslim leaders in America to stand with me and say that Muslims are free to leave Islam. Will you join me in this quest for true religious tolerance?
Sincerely and with respect,
John Marion, Director
Center of Peace and Hope in Christ for Afghanistan
Phone: 703-391-8627
www.AfghanBibles.com
I understand where you are coming from and I agree with you. A really appreciate you bringing this guy and his organization to my attention.
I think there will be severe strife for a long time until the level of fundamentalism in Islam dies down to at least Christian levels. Then it'll be like Christians and Jews with some strife and holocausts every once in a while, but otherwise relative calm.
200 years, as you saw in an earlier post.
Christian converts from Islam are being sentenced to death TODAY. It is A.D. 2002. It is long past time that such barbaric policies be abandoned.
I agree with you. Just remember that Islam is in its dark ages right now. Their enlighened period was almost 1,200 years ago.
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