Let the Pope Preach

You know what gets me is why these radical Muslims are so thin-skinned? Christians get slammed all the time in the press and from other religious leaders--INCLUDING Muslims and we don't lose our minds over it. I swear, they are a bunch of sissies.

I tell you what I'd like--I'd like an apology from the radical Muslims for shotting a 64-year-old nun four times in the BACK. I mean which is worse--the pope's remarks (which were taken completely out of context) or the murder of a defenseless woman. These guys aren't just sissies--they're cowards.

Right on, Mansfield. Islam is acting like a spoiled rich kid who throws a bratty little tantrum when even the smallest thing doesn't go his way.

Reid, if we follow current trends to their logical conclusions, Europe will fall to Islam and become a satellite of the Middle East. The solution: change current trends, which is a huge task, but not an impossible one. I'm praying for Europe, the Middle East, and the world.

from a humanitarian perspective, i think its absurd to sit here and connect these actions and barbaric behaviors to the islamic faith, just like the christian and jewish faith, islam holds beauty and value. now you cannot claim that islam is the doer of all these wrongs, just like here in america we dont say that christianity called for the crusade, or the colombine, or hiroschema and nagasaki or for that lady who drowned all her 5 children, or why bush is committing all these war crimes abroad, or why sex is a common and ok thing to do, knowing very well that the american culture doesnt agree with the christian faith, yet still we dont blame all these filthy actions on the faith. i dont agree with the media on portraying islam in correlation with terror, i mean all you have to do is read their book and see what the real faith is about its very similar to the torah and bible on the code of ethics...not every balck man is ignorant, not every white man is racist, not every asian is good in math, ect.. generalization has been part of our country from way before...we generalized against blacks and made them slaves...we generalized against asians and made them unwelcome, lets not make these hateful generalizations again, and if not then let me ask you this question why are "christians (america) supporting the jews (israel)(the ones who killed jesus) in killing the muslims (palestinians)? why?

As soon as moderate Muslims begin to denounce the actions of the most visible and violent people who represent their faith, we can stop generalizing about them as a whole. The lack of outrage from Muslims about the atrocities committed by their most radical followers speaks volumes for what they think as a whole people.

You think think its absurd to connect these actions and barbaric behaviors to the islamic faith? They specifically do these deeds in the name of Allah. To me, that's an elementary linear connection to make. They say they do it for Islam, so I'll take their word for it. If, despite the words coming out of their mouths, they do not do these deeds in the name of the Muslim faith, then what do they do them for?

As for why Christians support the Jews--whoever killed Jesus is unimportant. It was all a part of God's plan, and putting the blame on a people for his death basically denies the glory of his resurrection. Jesus' death was a result of sin--the fact that the mob was comprised of Jews is just a detail. In the Bible, the Jews are called God's chosen people, and that those who bless them will be blessed also. Check out Genesis 12:1. That's why Christians support the Jews.

Reality,

Thanks for the post. I have read quite a bit of their book - have you? I do not ask in any other spirit than to agree with you that it is important to read their book.

For me, this is precisely why it is troubling:

Surah 2:216 - Fighting is prescribed upon you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible That ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth and ye know not.

Surah 4:74,75 – Let those fight in the cause of Allah, Who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter, To him who fighteth in the cause of Allah—whether he is slain or gets victory—soon shall we give him a reward of great (value)

Surah 8:12 Remember your 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: you smite them above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.“

Surah 9:5 - But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah 47:4 – Therefore, when you meet the Unbelievers in fight, smite at their necks; at length, when you have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly on them… He lets you fight in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the way of Allah, - He will never let their deeds be lost.

Surah 59:2 It is He Who got out the Unbelievers among the People of the Book from their homes at the first gathering of the forces. Little did you think that they would get out: and they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah! But the wrath of Allah came to them from quarters from which they had little expected it, and cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their own dwellings by their own hands and the hands of the Believers.

If Islam has nothing to do with this, why then do so many of the extremists quote these texts in their rhetoric? Why is it OK to riot and kill over cartoons?

Additionally, Islam by its very nature is a state building theocratic religion. There is no separation of church/state in this religious worldview. Therefore, Mohammed was a general, politician, and religious leader. He lead armies and conquered peoples by which made these realms Islamic. The caliphs which followed did likewise.

We need to study history, and the Quran - there is more than rhetoric of secular media which we must understand.

Are "Christians" not guilty of atrocities - absolutely not. Yet, when someone murders in the footsteps of Jesus he is actiing in contradiction to his Lord's life and teaching.

The Crusades are the example everyone revisits. In the Crusades you see: It was Contrary to Teachings of the New Testament (Mt. 26:52), Contrary to Example of Jesus Christ, and the Illogical Outworking of Christianity. Jesus was not and never will be known as the prophet of the sword - that title is found on another.

Thanks for engaging this stuff - it is very important and it will not just go away.

Reality check,

I would add to Greg's comment that this is why many but not all Christians support Israel. I personally believe that after Christ, the modern nation and people of Israel are no longer the same as the Biblical Israel of Scripture, but rather that the Church is.

I simply support Israel's right to exist and to defend itself from the constant terrorism that the surrounding Muslim nations perpetrate against it. A glance at the recent history of the Middle East will clearly show who are the aggressors here and who are defending themselves. That is not a statement of endorsement for all of Israel's actions or policies, but it is the recognition that Israel is not the aggressor, Islam is.

I would also add to Greg's very true comment about mainstream Islam's deafening silence on the issue of terrorism, that the Qu'ran is not like the Bible. The two are completely different in a vast number of ways. And the reason I connect acts of violence committed by Muslims to Islam is because the Qu'ran explicitly teaches them to do violence to spread Islam and to destroy others simply for not worshipping Allah.

Chief, I appreciate your humble, but thorough response to R. Check. I've learned a lot in your discussion of Islam. The article about Israel's conquest was informative too. It's like taking a class for free. (can I get any college credit for going to your blog?)

Thanks Nweg...don't know about the college credit :) but I am glad we are all learning together. By the way, thanks for helping me to make this blog possible...