Posted on 10/09/2001 3:19:08 PM PDT by Humidston
2 Timothy 3:13
"But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived."
These words of Paul are clearly prophetic. Writing just months before he was martyred in Rome, Paul reminds the church that as time progresses, the influence of Satan on the earth will grow worse and worse and deception will intensify. If that was true nearly 2000 years ago, it is even more true today! Never before in human history have we had access to so much information: television, cable, satellite, radio, Internet, newspapers, magazines, etc. Yet the more information we have, the more avenues for deception Satan has. There is a fundamental difference between information and truth. Truth is information; but information is not always true.
To that end, it is important that we filter all that we hear from the media through the lens of Truth-God's Word. This is especially true in light of the current circumstances surrounding the U.S. war on terrorism. As I hear the "experts" speak about the similarities between Islam and Christianity and the supposed common foundation these religions share, I am disheartened, to say the least. I understand the precarious position that our government leaders are in. They have to be careful not to offend Muslim-Americans. And I also understand that not all Muslims strictly follow the teachings of the Koran. That is, not all Muslims are "fundamentalists." But to say that Islam is a religion of peace is simply not accurate. Even a cursory reading of the Koran (Holy Book of Islam) and the Hadith (the sacred sayings of Mohammed) demonstrates that this popular and growing religion is not about peace. It is about war--war with Christianity and Judaism.
While Muslims acknowledge several "holy books," including their own version of the Torah, the Psalms, and the Gospel, the Koran is clearly the final, authoritative word in Islam. According to Muslim clerics the teachings of the Koran supercede all other books. Furthermore, the sacred sayings of Mohammed outside of the Koran (called the "Hadith") as passed down orally and recorded by Al Bukhari, are also authoritative. The Hadith serves as an expansion or elaboration on the Koran. As proof that Islam, which means "submission" in Arabic, is about war and not peace, consider the following quotes from the Koran and Hadith.
Mohammed was once asked: What is the best deed for the Muslim next to believing in Allah and His prophet? His answer was: "To participate in Jihad in Allah's cause." (Al Bukhari, Vol. 1:25) Jihad is an Arabic word that means, "struggle." In Islam, Jihad is the struggle for the cause of Allah using all means available, including violence. This kind of Jihad is often referred to as a "Holy War," and in fact the terms Jihad and holy war have become almost synonymous.
Mohammed once said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, none has the right to be worshipped but Allah." (Al Bukhari, Vol. 4:196) And Mohammed also said, "The person who participates in holy battles in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostle, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward or booty (i.e. if he survives) or will be admitted to paradise (i.e. if he is killed)." (Al Bukhari, Vol. 1:35)
In the Koran, Allah orders all Muslims to terrorize non-Muslims. "Strike terror in the hearts of the enemies of God and your enemies." (Surah 8:60) "Fight them and God will punish them by your hands." (Surah 9:14) "I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them. It is not ye who slew them; it was God." (Surah 8:13-17) "And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter..." (Surah 2:191) "And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah..." (Surah 2:193) "O you who believe! Fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard against evil." (Surah 9:123) "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall." (Surah 61:4) "O ye who believe (i.e. Muslims), take not the Jews or the Christians for your friends and protectors. They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he among you who turns to them for friendship is of them." (Surah 5:51)
Clearly it is not true to say that Islam promotes peace. Does this mean, then, that all Muslims are promoters of violence, hatred and terror? Of course not. Just as not all Christians closely follow the teachings of God's Word (unfortunately!), not all Muslims adhere to the teachings of the Koran (fortunately!). Many Muslims are more liberal or "moderate" and choose not to obey the teachings of Mohammed relative to Jihad. But make no mistake, since its inception in the early seventh century AD, Islam has been about conquering Jews and Christians and turning everyone to Allah. Islam was born in 622 AD when Mohammed fled from Mecca to Medina under persecution because of his radical views. The conflict between Mohammed and the Jews only intensified over the next 10 years until Mohammed's death in 632, and the tension between Israel and Islam has not died down to this day.
How should Christians respond to Muslims and Islam in general? First, love them as Christ loves them. Second, pray that their eyes will be open to the deception that has them captive. Third, be a genuine friend to them. Fourth, if they seem passive or moderate in their adherence to the Koran, engage in a non-threatening dialogue with them by asking thought-provoking questions like, "Can you explain what the Koran means when it tells Muslims to fight against non-Muslims." Because of the actions of Muslim extremists, moderate Muslims are more open to hearing the true Gospel now than at any other time in our history! Fourth, be respectful of their views. Remember that they have just as much a right in America to believe in Allah and Mohammed as we do to believe in God and Christ. Fifth, if they seem vigilant in their adherence to the Koran, be aware that they view you as their enemy. Sixth, recognize that the very real possibility exists that the current conflict between America and the terrorists may ignite (if it hasn't already!) into a full-blown holy war between Islamic fundamentalists and Jews/Christians. When or if this happens, many "moderates" within the Islamic community will quickly become "fundamentalists." Seventh, remember this promise from the Word of God: "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence..." (Prov. 3:25-26)
J.B. Hixson, Th.M.
College of Biblical Studies
However, if one chose to do so, one could "prove" that Christianity is a religion rooted in violence.
Jesus said in Matt 10:34, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword"
What would someone unfamiliar with the Bible think of THAT?
Just be careful - it is easy to take things out of context. Like Charles Manson did, or the KKK.
Let's all take a deep, deep breath here people. Something about "Love your enemies"...
"If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you..." "He who hates Me hates My Father also." John 15
Yes even since Sept 11, Jerry Falwell's comments got much more negative publicity than the Muslim clerics who have praised the acts.
Sadly, you are so right. Look how many FReepers enjoyed climbling on the bandwagon as well....
Excellent point. There is a big difference in the way Muslims and non-Muslim treat each other. Here the article says that Christians should respond to Muslims and Islam in general by first, loving them, befriending them, respecting them, engage them in a non-threatening dialogue. There is one small problem with that, the Muslims ONLY consider other Muslims as their brothers and sisters. According to the Koran, the non-Muslims are considered non-believers of God.
"Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends. They are friends with one another. Whoever of you seek their friendship shall become one of their numbers. Allah does not guide the wrong-doers." (Koran 5:51) In this verse Allah is clearly instructing his followers never to befriend non-Muslims, in particular the Christians and Jews.
"Remember Thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the believers, I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers, Smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger tips of them." (Koran 8:12.) The above verse from the Koran is giving step-by-step instructions to Muslims on how to torture and kill Kafirs (non-Muslims) if they don't follow Islam.
"Prophet, make war on the unbelievers and the hypocrites and deal rigorously with them. Hell shall be their Home: an evil fate." (Koran 9:73) The above verse from the Koran is completely justifying war and barbaric acts on non-Muslims.
"In order that Allah may separate the impure from the pure, put all the impure ones (Non-Muslim), one on top of the another in a Heap and cast them into Hell. They will be the ones to have lost" (Koran 8:37.) The above verses instructs the Muslims to invade, destroy, kill and convert by force, something they have done for the past 1400 years.
Muhammad the founder of Islam (570-632 A.D.), drew the Arabs to Islam by promising salvation for those who died fighting for Islam. Islam preaches that non-Muslims should be converted by force or killed.
Islam is the fastest growing religion. The speed of this religious expansion can be attributed to the fact that it is accomplished through military conquest and forced conversions.
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