Islam, Submission With No Peace Pt. 5

"Burn Baby Burn!"

Acts 19:14-20 ~ "14- And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so. 15- And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16- And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17- And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18- And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. 19- Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all [men]: and they counted the price of them, and found [it] fifty thousand [pieces] of silver. 20- So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Pastor Terry Jones of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, FL. has called for a Quran burning service to take place this Saturday Sept. 11th 2010 and has come under fire by everyone from the Pope to the President himself.

 

The top General in the war on terror in Afghanistan, Gen. David Patraeus, believes that the actions of the Pastor will incite an Islamic uprising against the soldiers on the ground. Still, others such as conservative Sean Hannity further believe that this effort will not only endanger the troops, but will also be a waste of effort, lumping the "good" Muslims in together with "radical" Muslims, insulting all, and creating larger problems and anti-Islamic hysteria. 

 

Pastor Jones, not having any regard for the Quran as being a "holy book", or at least a book inspired by the true and living God, concludes that the Quran, at best, is simply good fuel for a bonfire and seems is using his proposed actions as tool and negotiating piece and wedge to offset a planned Mosque proposed to be built close to the World Trade Center site or what we call "Ground Zero".

One thing that has been consistent is that the media suggests that since the Pastor only has "fewer than 50 members" in his congregation that his voice is not worth listening to, but yet they listen. FYI the number of followers of a pastor or leader has has NOTHING to do with their authenticity and use of and by God. God does not speak or use leaders "more" because they amass a crowd. Neither is a greater or more sizeable crowd an indicator that the leader has more dynamic insights than others. Some of America's most dynamic and powerful leaders have had small congregations. In addition, not every leader resides in areas where they can attract large followings; are these leaders less significant, less profound or less important because of where they live? It was the heretic gnostic Cerenthus who was able to amass a large crowd and congregation while preaching a false gospel and a false Christ during the apostolic age. Apostle John confronted Cerenthus regarding his heresy and knew of it, but that did not dissuade followers. The number of followers in no way validates nether does it invalidate the voice of the servant of God nor the message.

Should the book be burned?
(See the end of the article for updates)
Let's Try To Find An Informed Position 

 

Since error and human morality that begets error abounds on both sides of this issue I though it well to point out some facts regarding this issue. With that said there is no way to simply claim that Christians have a mere biblical interpretation difference with Islam...Islam serves and worships another God. A God not of, by or from the bible and one not referenced as one to be worshipped in any biblical text.

 

Before all that, let's be clear as to what the Pastor's rights are. 

 

1- By declaration of freedom of speech under the United States Constitution, this Pastor has a right to burn whatever books he chooses to burn according to civil codes within his community. Having this right does not in any way signal or suggest that he should do such. However, we should be clear that free speech to one is a right not necessarily free for all. Freedoms must be paid for and used responsibly. Some claim that the Pastor's proposed use of his free speech rights are being handled irresponsibly, but I believe there is a greater observation to be made when looking at all of the individuals who have chimed in and are chiming in on this issue.

From our President Barack Obama on Good Morning America 9/10/2010

"If he's listening (Pastor Jones), I hope he understands that what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans," the president said. "That this country has been built on the notion of freedom and religious tolerance."..."And as a very practical matter, I just want him to understand that this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women who are in uniform," Obama said."

Here are additional reports from other individuals who have chimed in on a national scene:

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  US Attorney General Eric Holder Associated Press 9/7/10 WASHINGTON calling the planned burning of the Quran at a Florida church "idiotic and dangerous".
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  Tucker Carlsen 9/9/2010 Good Morning America ~ "He's a lone wacko, he represents noone."
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  Ret. General Colin Powell 9/9/10 The View ~ "Whether he burns the Quran or not on Saturday they (the Islamic world) wonder has America changed, will hey tolerate this thing or not?"
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  9/9/2010 CNN reports that the FBI has "no specific credible intelligence" indicating that the burning of the Quran will cause a problem in the US. Only that historically terrorist activity and recruitment to radical Islamic causes increases as a result of events like this.
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  Matt Hoh 9/9/2010 MSNBC ~ "It plays into Al-Qaeda's recruitment propaganda."..."We're talking about a very small amount of people here."
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  Megyn Kelly and Mike Emmanuel Fox News 9/9/2010 ~ report that the US State Dept. issues a world wide travel warning for all American's abroad, concerned about the potential backlash if Pastor Jones continues with the Quran burning...Megyn claiming that he (Pastor Jones) is a "nutcase"
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  Whitehouse Press Secretary Steve Gibbs 9/9/10 Press briefing Washington, suggests that someone in the Whitehouse if not the President himself will speak to Pastor Jones and dissuade him to not proceed with the book burning plans because all top officials think Americans, especially the military, will suffer abroad as a result.  

Look at the fear of exercising freedom from the leaders of a free world. For this reason I find it appalling that the top leaders of the most free country on Earth cower when a citizen within its boarders lays hold on exercising his free rights to the freedoms that have been paid for by the blood of martyrs through the years.

"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men." ~ Samuel Adams (1722-1803), was known as the "Father of the American Revolution."

To acquiest from freedom when those freedoms are lawfully exercised within a person's home is nothing but political equivocation and reversal of all that America stands for. Yes, we acknowledge that we are a tolerant nation and that there are consequences for all freedoms that we share or have in common and some freedoms must continue to be fought for, but to regard he "potential" threat of reprisal so fearfully certainly doesn't resemble those who would lead the world into freedom teaching them why religious freedom is good for the country and the world.  

It makes one wonder, why have America's leaders have been absent when terrorist attack free people? We can go back years but here are a few instances during the last few years that America made no effort to speak against...or at least these vocal leaders (or their predecessors) were deafly silent against. Where were our leaders during these times:

"A group of 500 Muslims wreaked havoc and spread panic in Masohi, in the Moluccan Islands, during clashes with police and local Christians. As a result, 45 homes, a church and a village hall were set alight. The spark that set off the violence is an in incident in which a teacher allegedly insulted Islam in front of some Muslim students." ~ Spero News 12/11/2008 

"LAGOS, Nov 20 (Reuters) - Islamic militants burned to the ground thirteen churches and several houses in a remote northern Nigerian town after a Christian student was accused of blasphemy, police said on Thursday. Irate youths torched churches, houses and shops late on Tuesday in Kazaure, some 80 km (50 miles) north of Kano, a northern provincial capital where hundreds have died in religious clashes in the past three years. The dispute began when a Christian student was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad and a group of Muslims were not satisfied with the response of school authorities." ~ Reuters AlertNet 11/20/2003

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 21 (Compass Direct News) - Scores of Muslim youths on Wednesday (May 19) besieged church property in Kano state in northern Nigeria, destroying two church buildings and a pastor's residence. One of the buildings and the pastor's house were set ablaze on the premises of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) at Kwasam, in the Kiru Local Government area, while another building under construction was demolished. Youths reportedly numbering more than 100 in the predominantly Muslim area stormed the church grounds. "The problem started when some Christian youths of ECWA church were converted to Islam," the Rev. Lado Abdul, chairman of ECWA district in Kano, told Compass. "They swore that the ECWA church would not remain in the area, as they would do everything possible to chase Christians out from Kiru." 5/21/2010

01/23/2010 INDONESIA North Sumatra, two Protestant churches burnt: “too many faithful and too many prayers”by Mathias Hariyadi ~At least 1,000 people set fire to the Pentecostal community places of worship. According to local Muslims, the two buildings did not have the legal permits as “churches.” The Nahdlatul Ulama admits the violence of radical Islamists against Christians. In 2009 in Indonesia, 35 cases of violation of religious freedom, 28 against Christians.Jakarta (AsiaNews) – A crowd of at least 1000 people burned down two Protestant churches last night in Sibuhuan (district of Padang Lawas, North Sumatra). The blaze was the culmination of tension between the faithful and the local Islamic community, tired of seeing ” too many faithful and too many prayers ” in a place not registered as a church. Atlas Shrugs

"Muslims attacked a Christian village in central Nigeria on Saturday, axing eight people to death and burning seven houses and a church in fresh religious violence, an army spokesman said. "It's true eight people were killed," Lieutenant Colonel Kingsley Umoh said. An AFP correspondent saw the bodies, as well as the burnt houses and church in Mazzah village, near the city of Jos, where deadly religious clashes have occurred a number of times in recent months. Umoh said Fulani Muslims entered Mazzah between 1.30am and 5.00am local time, shooting sporadically in the air to lure sleeping residents outside their homes. "Seven people were killed instantly with machetes while three others were seriously injured. One of them died on the way to the hospital," he said." 9 News 7/18/2010

Is there strong condemnation when these things and things like them occur? Instead, in this case, top US military and social and political leaders of this country claim that America's "image" will be damaged and that soldiers already on the battlefield and equipped for WAR will be further  placed in harms way???

 

What Is That?

It's about 9,000 deaths too late (since 9/11) to worry about anyone being in harms way for an American citizen exercising his or her freedoms! Both President Obama's and top officials disagreement and non support of this Pastor's rights and cowering to the "potential" fallout as a result of an American Citizen exercising their freedom (no matter the wisdom behind it) display hypocriticalness, weakness and provides the additional fuel that radical Islam needs by continuing to  meticulously exploit American values. This is in the plan of the radical element of Islam as the following video displays:

Consequently, noone questions the rights or results toward the "free world" when radical Muslims exercise their rights to terror and ungodliness. Were radical Muslim Clerics afraid when terrorists attacked any US installation, people or military bases? Does anyone yet remember the unprovoked attack against the USS Cole? What was the impetus for this event and mass murder during a time of peace? That wasn't done by many or most Muslims, we readily acknowledge that fact, but it was done by terrorists who happened to believe in radical tenets of Islam and those that used those tenets as a source of strength and courage to carry out their murderous deeds. These facts cannot be denied.

USS Cole where 17 sailors were killed and 29 others were injured
Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.

Over the years, as demonstrated by the preceding video, there has been a steady flow of atrocities leveled upon the Islamic and free-world and in particularly America in the name of "religious freedom". Most of these attacks have been perpetrated by individuals who proclaim Allah was their inspiration acknowledging that radical Islam is alive, well and very active within America. To deny these elements exist or to suggest that they are somehow coincidental results of misinterpreted Quranic verses or Hadiths is incredulous and down right insulting to anyone who has studied this topic. American public media and politics however is consistently playing into the hands of the most radical elements of terror, providing misinformation and dodging the real issues. It is insulting for the media to perpetuate the false claim that Islam and its Shari'a  law is somehow "misunderstood". It is an atrocity for Christian religious leaders to stand and declare any system which does not hold that Jesus is Lord as somehow equivalent to Christianity, biblically supportable and desirable for people seeking the true and living God. 

We're Not Mad At Islam,

We Simply Reserve The Right To Tell The Truth,

Portray Anti-Christ Beliefs Accurately, And Live Freely 

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  Note: Shari'a Law is the Law of Allah contained within the Quran and the Sunna (the saying, practices and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad) every faithful Muslim follows Shari'a. Shari'a exceeds all other law whether natural or spiritual and is the only law wherever Islam rules or exists. In most formal situations Shari'a is not invoked many times because of barbaric results.  

We yet remember the fiasco of Rev. Franklin Graham and the statements he made toward Islam and the political and social response that he received when trying to simply exercise his freedoms and accurate portrayal of Islam. This is the controversial part:

"He (President Barack Obama) was born a Muslim. His father was a Muslim; the seed of Muslim is passed through the father like the seed of Judaism is passed through the mother. He was born a Muslim; his father gave him an Islamic name," Graham said, adding later in the interview, "you can be born a Muslim. You can be born a Jew. But you can't be born a Christian."...Graham added, however, that he did consider Obama to be a Christian today: "Now, it's obvious that the president has renounced the Prophet Mohammed and he has renounced Islam and he has accepted Jesus Christ. That's what he says he has done. I cannot say that he hasn't. So I just have to believe the president is what he has said."

Rev. Graham is yet locked out of the military for those statements.

2- With all of that said, it MUST be clear that there is a difference between terrorists and believers in Islam. Though the tenets of Islam are what they are as confirmed by many and most Islamic Clerics across the globe, individuals should not be confused as to assume that all Muslims practice, observe and are taught the same set of principles. Similar to Christians who reject certain aspects of Christian teaching, this type of diversity permeates Islam and Islamic teaching and practice. If Pastor Jones is guilty of anything, he is guilty of not distinguishing the difference between Islam and terrorism and being overzealous to set forth Christian beliefs but for primarily using his actions as a tool for negotiation, which is unwise. If God has truly instructed him to do this, it cannot be negotiated in any way or manner and should not be averted no matter what the President or nation says.  

To be clear however, all practicing Muslims cannot be blamed for acts of terrorism and atrocities that we face as American or other individuals around the globe. To take this position and paint with such a broad brush is foolish. Example: I and millions of Christians like me are not responsible for Catholic Priest rapes, molestations, and indiscretions against children and youth alter workers and other individuals in their church. Should all Christians be labeled as molesters because of some Catholic priests? We could go on and on through many different practices and failures such as this to draw parallels, but I believe the point is made. Individuals should be measured by what flows from them. If there is hate, it will come out and be seen and out of the heart flows the issues of life.

Secondly, terrorists come in Christian, non-Christian, and anti-theistic packages also. Some in a loose sense, even terrorize churches by their discord, ungodly actions, and criticism of the church. All terrorists are not one in the same.

Against Politically Correct Media

3- To speak to the media and those who want to simply gloss over some of the more radical elements of Islamic teaching, you should know that Islam as a religious and worship system, is incompatible with Christianity. There are many reasons, but here is some of the most pertinent:

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  Though Jesus is said to be sinless within the Quran and Muhammad a sinner, Jesus is relegated to nothing more than a mere prophet who was superseded by Muhammad over 500 years after the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus. In fact, according to the Allah inspired and "pure" pages of the Quran, Jesus never died on the cross. He was merely taken away with God, and Judas died in his place. Therefore any reference to a resurrection can only  be figurative and not literal.
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  In addition, Jesus cannot be God as is claimed by Christianity. To associate a man with God within Islamic teaching is "Shirk" which is the highest form of blasphemy and according to law deserves death.

Within Christianity, these positions cannot be compromised under any circumstance. Historically and biblically, a Christian holds that Jesus was not only man but also God and that only through and by his death can anyone be reconciled to God or obtain forgiveness of sins. These two views CANNOT be reconciled and both claim to be "inspired" or given by God.

Telling the truth about Islam should be encouraged, however in this it is discouraged. Both political and social figures want information regarding Islam suppressed and only wish to present a sanitized Islam in step and in tune with mainline Christian dogmas and beliefs. Islam is not simply a nice religion. It is a complete system with laws for living, prophetic utterances and direction and political and social mandates. These mandates come from the text of the Quran itself and the Sunna. They are called Shari'a. The Quran is further interpreted and directed by the Hadith. To rid one's self of the Quran is only part of the battle...the Hadith is where the power and life direction lies within Islam because the Quran is said to be so complicatedly beautiful to understand, onlyMuslim clerics can accurately interpret its message.  

Note: Jihad (struggle) is an obligation of every faithful Muslim for his or hear faith. This "struggle" is not for peaceful coexistence, but for for complete subjection and rule with Allah as the supreme God and Muhammad as his prophet. All other Gods and religious systems are rejected.

Biblical Basis

4- In referencing Acts 19: 14-20 it is true that ungodly books and information were burned up to indicate the supremacy of Christ, the change of the community and because of the fear of God upon the people. However, this burning was done freely and out of freedom exercised by people who once held such practices and had been drawn away because of the work of God in their lives to lay their former practices down. Therefore, the instance recorded within Acts was TOTALLY diferent than what we see Pastor Jones calling for with the Quran burning. In Pastor Jones case I have not seen a former Muslim requesting that his/her former book be burned up. Here we see a pastor taking a religious artifact that he does not value and simply discarding it while knowingly insulting others in the process. Although "insulting and individual" is not a measure for a righteous act, if Islam is wrong (which I believe that it is) it can be wrong without being burnt, at least by me! There is too much of a political emphasis on the Pastor's actions and he has entered into a political debate that is uncalled for.

With all of that said, it is in the Pastor's RIGHT to do, but the wisdom is questionable. In Acts, the community came voluntarily to rid themselves of valuable past artifacts called "curious arts". Those who formerally owned the books gave them up. They submitted to God and did not rub their actions in the face of any opposer. This is the difference. 

Christianity should be practiced boldly and without apology, but also with humility, and mercy for those who have been blinded by this world and the devil. I have not heard Pastor Jones say that God told him to do this act. There can only be one of two paths followed...IF God said it, he must do it (although I find it hard to find biblical support for God saying it)...if not, he should consider the implications of exercising his freedom.

Note: Fatawas are religious rulings and opinions from top and highly respected Muslim clerics often rendered in effort to clarify texts of the Quran or certain Islamic practices. The most popular Fatawas identify and clarify aspects Shari'a law such as prohibitions against women working with men and physical dress and garments that should be worn by Muslim women. various sects of Islam follow Fatawas issued by various Clerics.

Conclusion:

One will ask, am I against what Pastor Jones has proposed? After examining the issue I can say that pastor Jones certainly has the right to do what he plans. Pastor Jones wisdom in doing this may be lacking, Pastor Jones biblical basis for doing what he plans to do does not exist. However Pastor Jones, as far as I know, has not insisted that God has directed his actions.  

American political and military leadership's support for the freedoms of Pastor Jones is certainly lacking and non-existent. Politicians and military leaders have disappointed me by not displaying to the world, the boundaries of American freedoms with political grandstanding during this.

American media are more propagandists than anything. They, the media, have sought to revise Islam even condemning Christianity in the process. The media has and continue to set forth inaccurate information regarding Islam and what Islam believes and approaches any opposition in an over critical manner while giving assessments of islam and current Islamically inspired atrocities a pass in the media and social environment.

One thing is for sure...this small stone is destroying what was thought to be a rock!

Blessed!

Updates:

9/9/2010 6:00 PM CST~ According to Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News Imam Musry, a Florida Imam, has promised that Imam Raoulf in New York has committed to moving the Mosque from the near Ground Zero location. Imam Raoulf has issues a statement that he will not compromise his plans nor his religion. Pastor Jones, based on Imam musry's statements, has subsequentely cancelled his plans for a book burning at least temporarily. The news at this hour is reeling. The news is amazed because the pastor has stirred such a controversy although only having 50 or less members.

9/10/2010 5:42 PM CST ~ Once again, according to Brian Williams of NBC Nightly News, there is no plans by the Muslim community to meet with Pastor Jones. In what appears to be a bait and switch tactic, or a move described in Islam as telling a lie to further the cause of Islam, Pastor Jones and company were told that they would have a meeting with the Imam of New York to discuss moving the planned Mosque in exchange for his agreement to halt the Quran burning planned for 9/11/2010. This is a classic tactic of radical Islamic teaching.