It is understandable that Obama, a former(?) Muslim and a self-declared Islamic sympathizer, defends Islamic nations and refuses to identify Islamic terror as a component of traditional Islamic ideology. He defends his brethren.
It is understandable that the media, most of whom are atheists or half-hearted believers raised in liberal churches, do not distinguish Islam from any other religion in terms of its destructive culture and propensity toward terror. They appeal to the ignorant masses.
It is understandable that academicians who make their living by critiquing the evils of the status quo and the bright future of cultural diversity and alternative lifestyles defend Islam. That makes them agents of new ideas and super tolerant of the intolerant.
What is not understandable is the silence of our Christian Churches and Jewish Synagogues regarding Islam. A search of the websites of the major Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist and Catholic denominations shows an absence of understanding of the Islamic threat. Instead, there is typically the simplistic injunction to “love your neighbor” and “embrace all believers in God or Allah – we are all God’s children.” A call for ecumenicalism – “discover what we hold in common” - is often the priority when churches refer to Islam. Jews simply succumb to the Stockholm syndrome and don’t say anything just to get along through their subliminal fears from their past.
Churches fail to understand and warn about the diametrically opposite and potentially deadly doctrines of Islam. Christianity: Love and forgiveness; Islam: Intimidation and submission. Christianity: Tolerance; Islam: Intolerance. Our churches have not grasped the concept “that when tolerance becomes a one way street it leads to cultural suicide" as stated by Lt. Col. Allen West. Opposites even exist in the beliefs concerning end times: The Christian "savior" (Messiah) is the Islamic anti-Christ, and the Islamic savior (Mahdi) is the Christian anti-Christ. God and Allah are not the same. Their differences are striking for those who care to understand them.
When will the churches wake up? Sure, “the meek will inherit the earth. But the meek don’t need to remain ignorant. Their culturally diverse political correctness will corrupt their beliefs. At a minimum our churches need to be teaching the true nature of Islam in their Sunday School classes. Teaching commonalities is nice. We have things in common with Scorpions (we are all God’s creatures) but, really, the differences are very important. Differences are essential to convey to its members. There should be strong words from the pulpits concerning these differences. There are numerous sermon topics that can spring from defining such differences: God and Allah: Are they the same? Who is the anti-Christ: Christian and Islamic Interpretations. Love and forgiveness: Contrasting perspectives. And my favorite: Terror: Christian or Islamic? There are countless relevant sermon topics on this subject.
Churches waste significant time and energy bashing the so-called Christian “cults” (the “big three”: Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Christian Scientists) which in fact hold 95% in common and promote the same morality and culture. When is the last time one of these groups committed an act of terror? Which of these religions teach intolerance and anti-Semitism? These are the wrong boogie men. That energy needs to be reprioritized and devoted to revealing facts, motives, and actions about Islam.
The churches don’t have to “preach hate” to get the truth across. Truth is not hate. The facts are not hate. The church really needs to get a spine and enhance awareness among their members of the critical distinctions between Islam and Christianity before they are subject to persecutions that make it even more difficult and painful to reveal the truth. There is something compelling about the expression “the truth shall set you free.” Once we are intimidated against revealing the truth we cease being free.
6 comments:
I could not have said it better. Whilst the Islamic faithful, (those who practice real Islam, OBL etc), stay true to the teachings of Muhammad, the cowards in the Christian pulpits are feeding the flock with ecumenical swine food.
What will it take for the church to wake up? persecution i'm afraid.
I'm afraid Christianity is on the decline; Islam is on the ascendency. Why? Because Christians are a self-satisfied lot and take too much for granted. They are living in "neutral" and "indifference" while many Muslims are in "overdrive" and fully engaged in their mission.
It depends on the locale. In the west true Christianity is on the decline. The business and career people are taking over the pulpits, 'and God's people love to have it so.' God has a remnant who have not bowed the knee to Baal. In Africa and Asia and many Muslim lands Christianity is on the increase, though Muslims deny this. I see persecution coming, and already happening in the west. Oh, those Laodiceans, there is a change coming, but are they prepared. The days of the itching ears are here and yet so many are asleep. It's time for the church to awaken because Satan knows his time is short, and is rallying his troops.
2 Chronicles 7:14. He will keep His from the hour of temptation.
It is true; it depends on locale. I was going to say Christianity is strongest where there otherwise appears to be little hope; where there is self-satisfaction, other gods emerge.
But then I thought of the US in the 1800's where there was great hope and opportunity. Christianity flourished.
I wonder if it is a more accurate observation that in areas where people are subject to persecution and hardship that the strongest Christians are the ones who prevail and become stronger and more visible.
I'm grasping, so I wonder what is it that causes Christianity, or any sect of religious fervor, to decline and ascend in different regions of the world? The "pride cycle" is one explanation that makes sense that comes to mind. Look at http://www.godslawsoffinance.com/2009/03/chapter-1-prophetic-model-prosperity/ for an example. Many/most of us in the US have taken the wrong turn after "blessings."
Humility goes a long way. Arrogance short-circuits our faith.
Pt.1 of 2. Prov. 15.33 "The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility."
Deut. 8 says a lot.
Other 'gods,' Mammon worship. Do we have things or do things have us?
I heard many Haitians repented after the recent earthquake. It seems that when at ease in Egypt it's easy to forget God. The word 'prosperity' is often taken out of context when referred to in the Bible.
3 John 1.2 Beloved, I wish above
all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
I'm not against people having money, even things, but; Mark 4.19
"And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful."
Are we focused on God? Or are we focused on god? This is a challenge for us all. If we think Satan, who knows his time is short, is about to take a vacation before the sparks start to fly, we've had it.
"I'm grasping, so I wonder what is it that causes Christianity, or any sect of religious fervor, to decline and ascend in different regions of the world? The "pride cycle" is one explanation that makes sense that comes to mind."
"The pride cycle." I agree. Religious snobbery. Many Muslims i have spoken with though they aren't practising Islam (thankfully), yet, the way they talk-up Islam interestingly, since 9/11 and 7/7, may suggest pride in specifically hoe violent Islam can be. Before 9/11, Muslims could move into any neighborhood, now!
Pt 2. The J.W's, Mormons etc. What i'm saying is SELF wants to brag. Satan works on this, but Christians who should be looking for the return of Christ are listening to those who will tickle their ears. "Deny self," is not too appealing when the world is not Kosher, since we have this inert attraction for forbidden fruit. If we walk in the Spirit we will not fall for the lusts of the flesh.
I believe the world financial situation will worsen soon. We need to be sure about our loyalties.
"But then I thought of the US in the 1800's where there was great hope and opportunity. Christianity flourished."
Maybe so; but i refer again to Deut. 8. There is one major theme we must not overlook here - ISRAEL! Gen. 12.3.
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