Posted on 05/16/2015 9:06:45 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Rev. Franklin Graham articulated [1] what many Christians (and others) are thinking about the now-notorious Muhammad Art Exhibit and Cartoon Contest that Pamela Geller and I organized in Garland, Texas, and that was attacked by jihadis: “The organizers of the cartoon contest in Garland, Texas, had the constitutional right to do what they did—but just because we have the ‘right’ to do something doesn’t make it right! As a Christian I’m offended when people mock my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Muslims are offended when people mock their faith. I disagree with Islam. But just because I disagree, I’m not going to mock them or resort to violence. We need to show respect to people of other races and beliefs. What happened to civility and respect?”
It’s understandable that Graham would think that way. Blasphemy is a serious sin in both Christianity and Islam, although only in Islam is it punishable by death. It is understandable that Christians would consider a contest for cartoons of Muhammad as offensive as a contest for cartoons of Jesus, and think that it would be a matter of simple respect for Muslims as human beings to refrain from appearing to mock someone they revere.
That’s a reasonable point, but there is more to this issue. Christians can easily understand that they should accord respect to non-Christians, just as they wish non-Christians would respect their faith. Clouding this issue nowadays, however, is the growing number of things some Muslims around the world are demanding from non-Muslims as a matter of respect. Muslims in Pakistan recently warned [2] a Christian leader that if he continued to build churches, they would kill him. You might say, “Ah, but building churches isn’t the same as mocking their prophet,” and yet to those who are issuing these threats, building churches is indeed just as bad as mocking their prophet. Both, in fact, are forbidden in Islamic law.
Muslims in Bangladesh recently hacked to death an atheist blogger [3] – that’s the third one killed this year. They considered these bloggers to have been disrespecting Islam. Muslims who leave Islam to become atheists (or Christians, or anything else) live under the death sentence mandated by Islamic law for apostasy. Should those Muslims who wish to leave Islam refrain from doing so, then, not just for fear of their lives, but out of respect for Islam and its laws?
Also, declaring the cartoons in our contest offensive raises troubling questions about what is depicted in many of them. A large number focused aspects of Muhammad’s life as described in the earliest Islamic texts. If the cartoons depicting Muhammad with his child bride are offensive, are the Islamic texts stating that he consummated his marriage with a nine-year-old girl when he was 54 also offensive? If a cartoon of Muhammad with a bomb in his turban is offensive, are the Islamic texts in which Muhammad orders people to be killed and beheads between 600 and 900 Jews also offensive? If depicting Muhammad as a terrorist is offensive, are the Islamic texts in which he is quoted as saying, “I have been made victorious with terror” and “I have been commanded to fight against people until they confess that there is no god but Allah and I am his messenger” also offensive?
The peculiar calculus of what offends and doesn’t offend Muslims likewise must be considered. The Islamic jihad group in Nigeria, Boko Haram, has been targeting Christians for years, and has rendered 100,000 Christians homeless [4]; where is the Muslim outrage against this – not just condemnation, but active efforts to teach against the understandings of Islamic texts and teachings that give rise to this persecution? Where are the Muslims actively protesting and working against their fellow Muslims who are committing murder and rape, and kidnapping non-Muslim women and pressing them into sex slavery, and explaining and justifying it all by referring to the Qur’an and Muhammad’s example? Why do these things not seem to offend them more than cartoons?
It is good to show civility and respect to all people as a matter of course. Our cartoon contest was an attempt to stand for the freedom of speech, which is the cornerstone and foundation of any free society, with the conviction that the principles of civility and respect are far less endangered by cartoonists than by those who demand civility and respect at the point of a gun. If we establish the principle that surrender is the best response to violent threats and intimidation, we will be ensuring that increasing numbers of Christians, and the Church in general, will face a future in which civility and respect will be stripped from them, and their subjugation obtained at knife- or gunpoint.
Our cartoon contest, then, as paradoxical as it may seem, was one small effort to try to ensure a future in which not just Muslims, but Christians and other non-Muslims also, can live with full dignity as human beings – not in fear, submission, and slavery. But the reaction to the contest has demonstrated that so many people are willing to submit, so eager to give the bully what he wants, so comfortable in slavery, that while the gentlemanly Franklin Graham may not live to experience it himself, his Christian descendants are likely to find living as Christians a great deal more uncomfortable, and difficult, and even life-threatening than he ever has.
Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch [5] and author of the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) [6] and The Truth About Muhammad [7]. His next book, The Complete Infidel’s Guide to ISIS [8], will be available August 17.
Some Christians have been lukewarm for so long they don’t freedom, no less defend it.
Does Graham realize his preaching days would be over if the hordes took over. He would just be one of a long list of rolling heads.
We need to batter them with the idea of free speech and if they cant take it, well then we’ve got a problem.
I have a problem with initiating a debate about free speech AFTER someone shoots up a bunch of people (or nearly did, here).
It’s kind of like the KKK having a problem with racial preferences, so they lynch 10 innocent black guys - and then instead of everyone calling for the KKK to be held accountable, a large number of people in this country decide that maybe there should be a discussion on limiting racial preferences and that would help end the violence.
Why should any Infidel respect a religion that wants us Infidels subjugated, converted or killed? -Tom
Elijah mocked the priests of Baal.
Starting about noon, Elijah began to tease them: “Shout louder! “He’s a god, so maybe he’s busy. “Maybe he’s relieving himself. “Maybe he’s busy someplace. “Maybe he’s taking a nap and somebody needs to wake him up.”
1KINGS 18:27
Preaching the cross of Christ is an offense to all other religions.
The Bible tells me so.
Very good and respectful response.
Let’s take some of the very vile anti-Christian cartoons Larry Flint published years ago. Strike out the name JESUS on them and replace it with Mohammed. See who gets the most violent.
When Gideon destroyed the altar of Baal the people wanted to kill him.
His father told the crowd...
Judges 6:3 NIV
But Joash replied to the hostile crowd around him, “Are you going to plead Baal’s cause? Are you trying to save him? Whoever fights for him shall be put to death by morning! If Baal really is a god, he can defend himself when someone breaks down his altar.”
If mohammed’s allah is a true god let allah defend his own prophet.
But allah needs the weak arm of man to defend himself because he is no god, and mohammed is no prophet.
Names not capitalized because they are not worthy of being capitalized.
The blunder made by all the “Free Speech, But...” boys (sincere and insincere) is thinking this is about FEELINGS.
“I don’t like it when people mock Jesus, so it’s just as wrong to mock Mohammed.”
But Muslims are NOT “offended” or “hurt” by cartoons. The ones who get violent are not “nutjobs” or “unglued individuals.” They are PRINCIPLED Muslims who are making war to impose Sharia Law.
One can only hope that the insincere “but-boys” will be disgraced, and that the sincere “but-boys” will see the light.
Outstanding and respectful response. I am with Spencer, Geller, Wilders, and Bosch Fawstin the brilliant cartoonist.
I am afraid however we will look back in a short time and realize we’ve already lost the war... in the most despicably lame way, by not even engaging, by pre-emptively submitting.
In the main, Americans have very few ideas or beliefs left. We have nothing substantive with which to wage war, such that many (most?) cannot see the threat or recognize the danger. Those of us who sound the alarm are instantly labeled the enemy, as a safe and convenient stand-in for the real enemy. We are spiritually dead and suppressing the truth in unrighteousness (Romans). May God open as many eyes as possible... as the unraveling continues unabated.
Pamela Geller has every right to run a contest. She even has a right to mock Islam. And there might even be an up side to mocking Islam. However, for those people anything not according to their rules is mocking them. For me to say that Jesus is Lord would be considered a capital offense in their world. Marlowe is right. The basic tenet of Christianity is an offense to Islam.
Back to Pamela Geller. She is also free with only a kitchen knife to attack a grizzly bear. It would be a bad decision. She would need to reconsider and find a 40-75 bear rifle.
It is insignificant whether the islamo-fascists should attack. The only question is the probability of an attack. If there’s a likelihood, then you make sure of your security and that of your guests.
Not taking care of security would be a sin when there is a real risk involved.
The trouble with Graham’s “thinking”is that it is based on emotions, only, and ejects Virtue (Wisdom/Truth/God).
ALL true Christians have to denounce EVIL in the public square LOUDLY and CONSISTENTLY (like Bonhoeffer stated) and not be COWARDS.
He can’t recognize the Truth: that islam is demonic and irrational, and a totalitarian evil system of irrational Mind control-—then he isn’t being rational or virtuous (courageous).
God made us in His Image by giving us a Mind for VIRTUE-—we need Reason for survival and God wants us to use it ALWAYS and control our EMOTIONS with REASON. (That is mature masculinity). Graham is turning the other cheek, and allowing Lies and misinformation to placate the masses into submission for the NWO and “happy slavery” of Marxism/Socialism.
PICK UP THE SWORD OF TRUTH, Graham. ATTACK! We are being cornered and decimated by Lies and the most demonic “religion” in the history of mankind where little boys are in harems and women are treated like cattle and hated and mutilated.
God only knows that we, the sheeple, need strong, moral leaders more than ever. The Breitbarting of great thinkers and leaders, though, does take extreme courage (like a Socrates/Jesus/St. Paul/Founding Fathers)-—but God and Faith demand that we stand up for Him and TRUTH..
God v. Man as Whittaker Chambers stated in the 50s-—we know who wins in the end.
Acquiescing to demands to never criticize Islam will not lead to more respect for Christianity, only lead to a more powerful Muslim faction to criticize it alongside the secularists.
I think there might be some misunderstandings here. We are no longer in the Old Testament times and therefore we don’t ask God to call down fire just yet. He’s going to but that is not how Christians fight today.
Here’s why they are not wrong. Robert Spencer can do what he thinks best in the fight against false religions, but Christians don’t have that option. We are to be like our Savior, dead to self but alive to him and his purposes and his METHODS. Jesus told his disciples that wanted to call down fire from heaven, that they did not know what manner of spirit they were of (i.e., they were not hearing from God nor did they understand his methods or purposes for Christ’s coming). Could Jesus have not identified those that blindfolded and struck him, come down off the cross to save himself, blasted any Roman legion to smithereens, etc., etc.? Of course he could and when he comes back that is exactly what he will be doing. It’s called the Day of Vengeance of Almighty God. But for now he says we speak the truth in love and suffer the consequence. He is the avenger and he will avenge perfectly. Do you all forget that when Jesus spoke in his own home town, he quoted from Isa. 61. He stopped in the middle of a sentence. Go read it and learn.
In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, the Apostle Paul states his method for sharing the gospel with the lost. I don’t see holding a cartoon contest in there to mock the Jews or one to mock the false gods of the Greeks. What makes the difference is that his concern is for the gospel - that it might find a place in the heart and mind of a lost person. He identifies with them where he can - he does not compromise in essentials. He would never compromise his message or the Word of God. But he is not intentionally rude or out to provoke a fight. Will the majority of Muslims listen or have a rational conversation with a Christian trying to convince them of the truth claims of Christ and the error of Islam? Some will, perhaps, but probably most won’t. But for the few that will and the few that might “watch how a true believer in Christ lives” we Christians should be the salt and light that the Bible tells us to be. Wise as serpents but harmless as doves. Yes, we are in a war, but the Bible states that we do not wage warfare the way the world does. Our weapons are spiritual - because that’s where the principalities and power are that inhabit Islam and other idols that happen to inhabit our hearts and minds. Witness Daniel and his 3 friends in the book that bears his name. They each had their faith tested. God delivered them. Isaiah, however, was sawn in half and Steven was stoned for his witness and most of the disciples were martyred for their faith. The first church did not immediately hold a “draw a Pharisee or your favorite Sanhedrin member contest” after Steven’s stoning. They fled Jerusalem. The prophetic scriptures state that in the end, the world will get increasingly evil and persecution of Jews and Christians will increase. The antichrist (whoever he turns out to be) will wage war against the saints and overcome them. That means he’ll kill the majority of them. Part of the problem is that the majority of people are so invested in their own personal lives that they do not care what is happening in our country until it effects them personally. How could over 50 million babies be aborted in the U.S.? Easy... most people don’t care because they are not the baby that’s being murdered. But they may be the people who made the baby. Doing the right thing or doing what’s convenient - that’s often the decision. Our president said he didn’t want to “punish” one or both of his daughters with a baby. We are at the point in this country that even if there was not one single Muslim that would cut off the head of a Christian or a Jew there are plenty of university professors, media personalities, Hollywood types and (I saved the best for last) politicians that would love to. That is what is in their heart. They might not want to do it themselves but they will be glad to hold the cloak of others that are doing the stoning (or head cutting). Christians are to speak the truth in love. We are instructed not to throw our pearls before swine but we are to be ready to give an answer to those who ask us of the reason for the hope we have - with humility and love. Hard to show or demonstrate humility and love while you’re doing the cartoon contest. Others can but we can’t. Our job is to hold up the standard and to be faithful unto death in this dispensation of grace. That dispensation that will end very soon as God Almighty turns his attention back to the nation of Israel and who will again show himself as the vengeful God of the Old Testament when he returns. I can’t speak for the Rev. Graham but those who have dedicated their lives to being a disciple of Christ are not ignorant of evil. Our reluctance to sponsor cartoon contests doesn’t mean that we don’t know Islam is evil or we are stupidly naive concerning their motives or methods or we are too chicken to speak the truth and confront evil. It doesn’t even mean that at some point we wouldn’t take up arms to defend or save our families from those that would harm us or that Christians are total pacifists. But as a general rule it is not our first line of defense. We are not purposefully offensive. The Gospel does that all by itself by showing the depravity of the human heart and the impossibility of saving yourself. When you truly understand, you run to the only solution. Many in the middle east are doing what the early Christians did. Coming here soon. Jesus told his followers that when you are persecuted in one place to flee to another - but continue to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. Cartoon contest won’t stop the judgement on America or the rise of evil in our midst. Repentance and turning to God’s solution for our sin problem might. Outside of that option, we have no hope, NONE in defeating not just Islam, but the rest of the evil and lawlessness that we do not even seem to care about that is destroying our country. Islam is an easy target. What of the evil in our own hearts? Simple… we think we have none or that God grades on a curve. “My sin’s not as bad as the suicide bomber’s so I’m basically ok.” The real war is against God, his holy character, his sovereign rule and those that love and (most importantly) obey him by those that hate him - and would kill him if they possessed the power to do so and happily enthrone themselves in his place. To fight any other way than what is prescribed for this time is to fall into the enemies trap. Just look at church history if you think I’m wrong.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” II Cor. 10:4&5
1 KINGS 18:27(NIV) 27 Starting about noon, Elijah began to tease them: “Shout louder! “He’s a god, so maybe he’s busy. “Maybe he’s relieving himself. “Maybe he’s busy someplace. “Maybe he’s taking a nap and somebody needs to wake him up.”
... the rest of the story ...
1 KINGS 18:40 (NIV) 40 Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.
Amen!!
It seems that many of our religious leaders are people who pander because they want to be looked up to and desire the praise of men.
Christian leaders, when addressing conflicts like this with Islam, should act as they would with Christians looking at piss Christ. They denounce the ignorance of the “art” but they also tell Christians who are hurt or furious to let it be.
We condemn abortion but also deter and condemn Christians who blow up abortion clinics. It goes in pairs. Graham failed to do this; only condemning the cartoon insult that disobeyed Islamists but failing to condemn the violent reaction in Islam.
But then again, these days I feel Christians are way too passive. I really don’t think Jesus wants us serving as pin cushions or scaredy cats for the devil.
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