WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?! I am confused. I keep hearing in the Liberal press and in press releases from Islamic Organizations that Islam is a peaceful religion that teaches tolerance and love for your fellow man. I have listened to Islamic apologists on NPR speak of the "radical minority" giving Islam a bad name. I guess the reason I don't buy it is because every time a Muslim Nation is faced with an opportunity to demonstrate this so called "religious tolerance" they show their true colors and expose the reality of Islam as a religion of the sword.
Even in Turkey, a Muslim Nation with a "secular" government, Christians face persecution, bureaucratic red tape and threats. Our brother in Christ, Abdul Rahman has now been released due to pressure from the West and his so-called insanity and is in need of political asylum in a truly tolerant western nation. Unfortunately, at this point we are not even sure if he is alive, or where he will go.
Italy has stepped up and offered him asylum, but the good old U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT has offered this helpful advice, "Asked whether the U.S. government was doing anything to secure Rahman's safety after his release, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington that where he goes after being freed is "up to Mr. Rahman." Wow, that is profound help! Where is our courage? We put pressure on Afghanistan to release Rahman and then don't offer help? Is this another example of secret deal cutting going on? I am sorry Mr. Bush, but you have got to do better than this.
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I recognize those shameful times in history when Christ's followers departed from His character and teaching and did shameful deeds in His name such as Inquisitions, Crusades and Pogroms. I recognize that Muslims, Jews and fellow Christians have suffered horribly at the hands of those who claimed to be the representation of Jesus Christ in the earth. Those who slaughtered and persecuted the innocent in Christ's name were wrong and were not representing His teaching or His nature! True Biblical Christianity is clear on this. Unfortunately, all of us who name Him as Lord must suffer with what our forebears did in His name.
However, Muhammed and his followers have spread Islam by the sword from its very inception. Islam has always been a religion of war and conquering and to deny this is to be untrue to history. I know, I know, Jihad is supposed to be about personal struggle and the overcoming of temptation and evil, but it has always included the aspect of making war against Jews, Christians and other infidels. Whereas Christianity seeks to convert through persuasion, reason and reliance upon God's Spirit working in the human heart, Islam uses persuasion, reason and the threat of violence when the first two have failed. To deny this is to lack integrity.
So, if any Muslims out there read this article and feel the need to write a response, please enlighten us on the REAL ISLAM. Please demonstrate for us an example of any state on this planet where Islam is truly tolerant of other faiths. Islam is in desperate need of reform in the same way Christianity has been at various times in history. I know there are many good individual Muslims and that millions of Muslims are perplexed by what they see parading as their faith. Honestly though, when you contrast Jesus and Muhammad, you see a man who conquers human hearts by love and one who conquered by war in Allah's name. I am not trying to be disrespectful to any Muslim, but I must ask, WILL THE REAL ISLAM PLEASE STAND UP?
FOR MORE ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE READ RICHARD COHEN'S COLUMN IN THE WASHINGTON POST BY CLICKING HERE
