"Allah vs. Jesus" aka "The Jihad"
Below are some thoughts I shared in reply to an email earlier today...
==========================================
I'm surprised there was no mention of the fact that Muslims actually
consider Jesus to be a prophet, along with Abraham, Moses and others,
similar to Mohammed being a prophet. Mohammed is a prophet who came
later, and had newer teachings from God, but people who follow the Bible
are still regarded by most Muslims as "people of the Book" which is a
much more favorable category than Hindus, Buddhists, followers of
Shinto, etc. which are considered basically heathen and kind of ridiculous.
Different Muslims have different ideas of jihad, which in literal
translation simply means "striving". Similar to the Christian's desire
to improve themselves, be a better person, help the church, evangelize,
etc., jihad to many Muslims means the desire to be a better Muslim,
better understand and live the five major teachings of Islam (the five
pillars), be a good example, and promote the faith. Sounds like it has
some elements of Christian "witnessing" and "evangelizing", doesn't it?
Many many Muslims around the world consider terrorism, killing, and
violence in the name of Allah to be a based on a very twisted reading of
Mohammed's teachings, and pursuing this form of jihad is a terrible
disgrace.
Christians are not exempt from twisted interpretations of their
scriptures or teachings either, with either good intentions or ill, are
they? People use and misuse religion all the time. Does anyone
remember the Crusades? Sounds kind of like what the western media would
color these days as a jihad story doesn't it?
What I wish every Christian, Jew, and Muslim would realize is that what
they have in common far outweighs what they do not, and attempt to see
things from the other perspective, and just be tolerant. I don't think
any of these faiths will disappare anytime soon. I personally don't
think God cares what affiliation you have, or even if you have one at
all. There are many good teachings in these faiths, but also in each one
some questionable practices arise from time to time in various segments.
In fact although most of the spirituality doesn't make sense to
westerners, we could learn a lot from the Buddhists, who are at peace
with themselves and others, and are tolerant and accepting of everyone.
They don't define themselves in a way that excludes or requires conflict
with any others. Unfortunately most Christian, Jews, and Muslims
consider the other groups to be their enemies, instead of their brothers.
In fact, in the story presented, I am very surprised that the Imam did
not question how charitable God is to exclude various groups from
heaven. Not only that, but why don't all the Christians even agree on
what that definition is. Some say you must accept Jesus as your saviour,
some say you have to live a good life, some say it doesn't matter
because it is already pre-ordained that it is promised to all
Christians. Regardless, it generally excludes the Muslims and the Jews
(although some branches made some new interpretations later to allow
them to believe Jews are admitted too despite the apparent contradiction
with their own previous teachings). If the Christians have a definition
of non-believers that excludes Muslims from heaven, why would they be
surprised that Muslims have similar definitions of who makes it and who
doesn't? If Christians have fought for their faith, why are they
surprised that Muslims fight for theirs? What we all need to learn is
it is possible for all these faiths to peacefully co-exist. I think
that was the intent of the training but instead it sounds like this guy,
who himself follows a religion that excludes other people, is pretty
proud of shaming a fellow human for his beliefs. So do you think the
Muslim is going to convert to Christianity now, because the Christian
was such a good friend to him to show him the way, or do you think he
might resent the come-uppance as possibly a little mean-spirited?
In life there are opportunities you can use to either tear other people
down or together you can build something up. I wish less people would
choose tearing down. People can believe different things. That is the
way things are in this life. What you "know" and "believe" may not
coincide with what other people "know" and "believe". And I say so
what? Just because someone else has a different idea doesn't make it
less valid.
In this case, I think it is just an attempt to say "YAY US! Aren't we
great! Look how foolish those Muslims are!" to fellow Christians. And,
according to Snopes.com, the accuracy of the story is questioned
anyway!! See http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/allah.asp.
I've known great examples of people from many different faiths, and
lousy examples are obvious in a lot of faiths too. No one is perfect,
and neither is any religion. I'm not an expert on any religion, but
this article just struck me in so many ways as a really bad example of
hypocrisy parading as information. Sure enough, after writing my first
several paragraphs above, I did a search for "Rick Manes" and what do
you know, Snopes.com and many others have already researched the story.
Check the link above, they give the subject a much more organized
treatment than I have.
What's sad is most people who get this email will have no reason to
question it. I think I am a highly unusual case. Not that that's
always a bad thing :)
______________ wrote:
>
>
>>> >
>>> The Jihad
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The Jihad....... Interesting this appears to sum up what we are
>>> faced with.
>>> Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in Canada
>>> and the
>>> United States especially in the minority race.
>>>
>>> Allah or Jesus? By: Rick Mathes
>>>
>>>
>>> Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for
>>> maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training
>>> session
>>> there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman
>>> Catholic,
>>> Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief
>>> systems.
>>>
>>> I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.
>>> The Imam
>>> gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with
>>> video. After
>>> the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers. When
>>> it was
>>> my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:
>>>
>>> "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and
>>> clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the
>>> infidels
>>> of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to
>>> all
>>> Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case,
>>> can you
>>> give me the definition of an infidel?"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> There was no disagreement with my statements and, without
>>> hesitation, he
>>> replied, "Non-believers!"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All
>>> followers of
>>> Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith
>>> so they
>>> can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The __expression on his face changed from one of authority and
>>> command to
>>> that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the
>>> cookie
>>> jar. He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine
>>> Pope John
>>> Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr.
>>> Stanley
>>> ordering Christians to do the same in order to go to Heaven.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The Imam was speechless.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you
>>> and your
>>> brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a
>>> question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me
>>> in order
>>> to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am
>>> going to
>>> Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.
>>> Needless
>>> to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification'
>>> training
>>> seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic
>>> Imam and
>>> exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.
>>>
>>> I think everyone in the US and Canada should be required to read
>>> this, but
>>> with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there
>>> is no
>>> way this will be widely publicized.
>>>
>>> This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known
>>> leader in
>>> prison ministry.
