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NEW STUDY SHOWS CHANGING EVANGELICAL VIEWS ON ISLAM SINCE 9/11
Religion News ^ | Dec 14th, 2005 | Richard Ciminio

Posted on 12/19/2005 10:41:50 AM PST by laney

North Bellmore, NY, Dec. 14, 2005- After the 9/11 terrorists attacks on the U.S., evangelical leaders--from Franklin Graham to Jerry Vines of the Southern Baptist Convention-- emerged as the strongest critics and even antagonists of Islam.

Numerous surveys have likewise found evangelicals in general to have more negative views on Islam than other Americans. This rhetoric is reflected in evangelical books and articles that have been published in the last decade, but particularly since 9/11.

A new study by Richard Cimino, editor of Religion Watch newsletter, finds that this discourse sheds as much light on how evangelicals view the challenges of pluralism and relativism in American society as it does about their views on Islam. The study, entitled, “No God In Common: American Evangelical Discourse on Islam After 9/11,” is published in the December issue of the Review of Religious Research.

Through conducting an analysis of popular evangelical books published before and after 9/11, the study finds that most of the post-9/11 literature draws sharper distinctions between Islam and Christianity, as well as asserting that Islam is essentially violent.

This polemic against Islam takes three forms: evangelical apologetics to prove the truth of Christianity against Islam; prophetic literature linking Islam as the main protagonist in end-times scenarios; and charismatic literature applying “spiritual warfare” teachings to Islam. The growth of evangelical apologetics against Islam is especially prevalent, with a new breed of ex-Muslim evangelicals issuing sharp critiques that stress the radical separateness of Christianity from Islam.

The article concludes that new patterns of interaction between Islam and Christianity and greater pluralism in American society are challenging evangelical identity, leading to the erection of new boundary markers between evangelicalism and other religions. These new boundaries can strain interfaith relations yet they may also strengthen evangelical identity.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: evangelicals; franklingraham; islam; sbc; september12era
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1 posted on 12/19/2005 10:41:51 AM PST by laney
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To: laney

The Night Before Jihad

Twas the night before jihad and all through the mosque
Not a terrorist was stirring not even Abu Al-Zarasq
The suicide belts were arranged neatly on the floor
The written fatwah from Imam was taped to the door
The mullahs were delighted with news on CNN
That the Democrats were repeating how Bush lied again
The Times and DNC continually sing our notes
Yet, when we take over we'll still slit their throats
An infidel so friendly we could not recall
But, Burkett, Sheehan & Wilson weren't working at all
The Stupid Cowboy they called him was still all the news
Kerry was our man but destined to lose
When outside our haven arose such a clatter
The GIs were upon us to settle the matter
Allah would reward us with our virgins tonight
Not as we planned but for us it was all right
From our glorious heaven we heard news that we like
The American press spoke of this US terrorist strike
On Murtha On Pelosi On Kennedy and Reid
The Democrat Stooges always say as we need
The infidel liberals don't learn from their past
Merry jihad to all and to all a good blast



2 posted on 12/19/2005 10:43:32 AM PST by Bayou Dittohead (The Night Before Jihad)
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To: laney
These new boundaries can strain interfaith relations...

They want to kill us. It doesn't get any more strained than that.

3 posted on 12/19/2005 10:44:46 AM PST by Michael Goldsberry (Lt. Bruce C. Fryar USN 01-02-70 Laos)
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To: laney
Through conducting an analysis of popular evangelical books published before and after 9/11, the study finds that most of the post-9/11 literature draws sharper distinctions between Islam and Christianity, as well as asserting that Islam is essentially violent.

So... what's yer point?
4 posted on 12/19/2005 10:45:55 AM PST by SpinnerWebb (Would you like an apple pie with that?)
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To: laney

Gee - I wonder why?

Saudi Arabia - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bibles are illegal. Churches are illegal.

Yemen - Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims and forbids conversions. The Government does not allow the building of new non-Muslim places of worship.

Kuwait - Registration and licensing of religious groups. Members of religions not sanctioned in the Koran may not build places of worship. Prohibits organized religious education for religions other than Islam.

Egypt - Islam is the official state religion and primary source of legislation. Accordingly, religious practices that conflict with Islamic law are prohibited. Muslims may face legal problems if they convert to another faith. Requires non-Muslims to obtain what is now a presidential decree to build a place of worship.

Algeria - The law prohibits public assembly for purposes of practicing a faith other than Islam. Non-Islamic proselytizing is illegal, and the Government restricts the importation of non-Islamic literature for distribution.

Jordan - Has the death penalty for any Muslim selling land to a Jew.

Sudan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death.

Pakistan - Conversion by a Muslim to another religion is punishable by death. Bans proselytizing by non-Muslims. Christians regularly put in prison for charges of blasphemy.


5 posted on 12/19/2005 10:48:11 AM PST by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - They want to die for Islam, and we want to kill them.)
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To: Michael Goldsberry

I don't want to have "interfaith" relations. There is a commandment to preach the gospel, not to "understand" the sinners in their rejection of it.


6 posted on 12/19/2005 10:49:34 AM PST by LS
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To: laney

There is no need to attack Islam based on religious superiority; Their record speaks for itself in terms of barbarism. Any culture/religon that codones, and tacitly--or even overtly-- endorses 'honor killings' has serious issues.


7 posted on 12/19/2005 10:52:48 AM PST by ozoneliar ("The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants" -T.J.)
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To: laney
These new boundaries can strain interfaith relations

Duh. Ya think?

Well, how's this one:

Publicly beheading hostages and gleefully displaying the videos, flying planes into buildings full of menacing accountants, and in general acting like early sub-human primates at the waterhole might also "strain ecumenical relations".

Communication is only possible between equals. You do not talk Sweet Reason to cockroaches, you spray them on sight, despite the strain to Interspecies relations.

8 posted on 12/19/2005 10:53:18 AM PST by Gorzaloon
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To: LS
Amen...and this "we all worship the same God"

nonsense is just that...nonsense

I know the God of the Bible and his spirit that

lives in me..please don't compare him

to any religion that teaches all Jews and Christians must

be converted or die!!!
9 posted on 12/19/2005 10:53:55 AM PST by PaulaB (Working For The Weekend Wednesday Will Resume January 4th)
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To: laney

By their fruits shall ye know them.


10 posted on 12/19/2005 10:55:46 AM PST by teletech (Friends don't let friends vote DemocRAT)
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To: 2banana
Great post!!!

I just read it out loud to everyone in the room
11 posted on 12/19/2005 11:00:17 AM PST by PaulaB (Working For The Weekend Wednesday Will Resume January 4th)
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To: laney
Franklin Graham speaks the Truth as revealed to man by God in Holy scriptures - he is more worried about peoples souls than being politically correct.
Islam is a lie from the gates of hell and enslaves millions, condemming them to eternal separation from the one true God, the great I AM.
To call it anything less would be blasphemous.
12 posted on 12/19/2005 11:12:55 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: laney

Let's see, now. I've read their book and know their history. They either want to:

1. Kill us all
2. Reduce us to 'dhimmitude' - a polite word for slavery.

Conclusion:
Islam is not and never has been a 'religion of peace'

Corrollary:
Islam must be destroyed, root and branch.


13 posted on 12/19/2005 11:18:07 AM PST by Noumenon (Activist judges - out of touch, out of tune, but not out of reach.)
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To: Psalm 73

Franklin and other leaders should speak out loud and clear and often about the death cult.


14 posted on 12/19/2005 11:19:22 AM PST by tkathy (Ban the headscarf. (All religious headdress). The effect will creat a huge domino effect..)
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To: PaulaB

That's why I tell my students that I don't believe in the "Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man." To be my brother or sister you have to have the same Father as I do, and if you don't I ain't related to you.


15 posted on 12/19/2005 11:36:39 AM PST by LS
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To: laney
Laney, I had to look up this author from my home town. I can't tell what kind of leaning he has per se. He seems to write on the subject of religion and has co-written a few books.
A search revealed this review of a Cimino book under Ask.com "Agnosticism / Atheism Religion in the New Millennium Dateline: April 22, 1999 .............................................Personally, I think that they are way overconfident and seriously underestimate the power of negative theology. For some, failed prophecies will bring a call for reinterpretation, as it has been for Christian sects throughout history. For others, the prospect of failed prophecies will be a sign that they have to act to bring those prophecies to pass. We all saw just that with the sect Concerned Christians, which entered Israel with the intention of blowing things up and fomenting a war between Jews and Muslims .......................................................... Cimino and Lattin's near-total silence regarding atheism and humanism. Although it is true atheism is not a religion and humanism only sometimes so, it is inexplicable that they would only mention the former in passing and the latter not at all. I cannot understand why they wouldn't bother to discuss, even if briefly, alternatives to religion and the prospects of people moving away from religious superstition." http://atheism.about.com/library/weekly/aa042299.htm http://atheism.about.com/library/weekly/aa042299b.htm
16 posted on 12/19/2005 11:39:21 AM PST by AmericaUnite
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To: laney
A question for Christian Freepers. My pet theory concerns what the true nature of Islam is. We all know that 85% of Americans call themselves Christians, but we also all know that number is not accurate by God's standards. We all know Christmas/Easter "Christians" who may not yet have true salvation.

How does that compare with Islam? My contention is that the "Christmas/Easter" Muslims are the only ones who DON'T want to kill us. I'm a Bible believing Christian. Is my counterpart in Islam a murdering terrorist?

17 posted on 12/19/2005 11:40:46 AM PST by Forest Keeper
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To: 2banana

BUT....but C.A.I.R. says this ain't true!


18 posted on 12/19/2005 11:43:11 AM PST by rovenstinez
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To: Forest Keeper

It seems to me most of us that grew up in the USA went many many years without ever hearing the word ISLAM.


19 posted on 12/19/2005 11:50:15 AM PST by laney (Merry Christmas Freepers!)
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To: laney
It seems to me most of us that grew up in the USA went many many years without ever hearing the word ISLAM.

I'm sorry, in relation to my post I'm not sure what you are saying.

20 posted on 12/19/2005 11:56:32 AM PST by Forest Keeper
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