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Should We Apologize to Muslims?

In a message dated 10/4/2002 8:07:51 PM Central Standard Time, (address withheld)@aol.com writes:

I have read your statement about Islam and it is truly peaceful religion and no where it say that we should kill all the infidels by swords. I am appalled at what you, Jerry Falwell,  Billy Graham's son say against Islam and all of you should apologies to the Muslims people. Our Prophet was a good man and he was not or never was a pedophile and he never was a terrorist. I don't know where you get your information from and why all you Christian's hate Islam and Muslim people. The reason P.L.O is doing what they do is because Israel is kicking them out of their land. You would too fight if someone is taking over your house and they only give you the backyard as your country, that's what the P.L.O is doing. I think we will probably see another Crusade War because everyone hate Islam.

Is Jerry Falwell Right?

Eric Responds...

Greetings!

First, are you here in the United States? I ask so I can try and understand what you perceive culturally.

Please understand that it is NOT Muslims that I have a problem with. I wish for you and every Muslim to find the freedom and joy that can be had by turning one's life over to Jesus Christ.

My problem with Islam is the very core of its doctrine and teaching. Just as you may be upset with anyone questioning the Qur'an and Muhammad's validity, I too am appalled by the constant reference in Islamic thought to Jesus as a "prophet" by Muslim teachers when, as a risen Savior, He was the ONLY Son of God - God in the flesh. I am not attempting to fit Islam into my Christian box, but Islamic teachers do this to Jesus as a matter of trying to uphold Islam, portraying Islam as part of a continuing revelation or extension of the Bible. Even though the Koran does mention Jesus 3 times MORE than it does Muhammad, it never mentions the Jesus of the Bible - who IS God Almighty. Muslims talk of a Jesus who was but a mere man. This is NOT the Jesus presented in the pages of the Bible.

Let me take this one step further. The God of the Old and New Testaments on the Bible is NOT the God of Islam. I think that you and most Muslims probably know this or at least you have been led to believe it. But the God of the Quarish Tribe (Muhammad's tribe) who your prophet installed as THE "god" has no relationship at all to the God of the Bible. As you know, the word "Allah" means "God." Muhammad eliminated (by the use of force with his army) all of the other 360+ "allah's" that were being worshiped at Mecca. In essence, what I am stating is that if there had been a more powerful army to oppose Muhammad in the 7th century, it would have most likely been one of the OTHER allah's that would have been chosen as "THE" god.

Now lets examine what you have said and what the Qur'an states.

<I have read your statement about Islam and it is truly peaceful religion and no where it say that we should kill all the infidels by swords. I am appalled at what you, Jerry Falwell,  Billy Graham's son say against Islam and all of you should apologies to the Muslims people.>

I cannot apologize for something the Qur'an clearly states. I am not trying to be rude to you but frankly Islam's statements are your problem, not mine.

Sura 9:5 says: "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans (infidels) 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."

Want more?

Sura 9:123 "O ye who believe! fight the unbelievers who gird you about, (who are near you) and let them find firmness in you: and know that Allah is with those who fear Him."

And more...

Sura 8:39 "And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere..."

My friend, this sura calls for forced Islamic conversion until the entire world either accepts Islam or dies....read it again for yourself. "faith in Allah altogether and everywhere."

Sura 8:60 "Against the infidels make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah..."

This is a perfect example of the "Convert or Die" theology taught by the Qur'an. You, as a Muslim, know that there are only two ways...the House of Peace (conversion to Islam) and the House of War (which is what those who do no convert can expect). And, if you are a reader of the Qur'an, you know that this idea is reinforced again and again in both the Qur'an and Haddith.

<Our Prophet was a good man and he was not or never was a pedophile and he never was a terrorist.>

Is it not a fact that Muhammad took one of his wives when she was 6 and then took her virginity away when she was nine? People go to jail for a long time today for such acts. Its called pedophilia. Is it not a fact that he even married his son's ex-wife and that the Koran conveniently condones this type of perversity? (Sura 33:37-38)

Not a terrorist?

He took Mecca by force - eliminating all of the idols being worshiped at the Kaaba. That year he also ordered the beheading of over 1000 Jews and Christians who refused to convert at Median. I would imagine you never heard that at the Mosque. You see, from the beginning Islam has been "convert or die." This is in stark contrast to the teachings of forgiveness, love and peace as taught by the New Testament.

<I don't know where you get your information from and why all you Christian's hate Islam and Muslim people.>

As you can see by quoting the Qur'an, I get most of what I have said directly from YOUR MAIN SOURCE.

But wait...Who ever said I hate Muslim people? It is for your sake that I point out the violence taught by the Qur'an and the murderous beginnings of Islam as recorded by history. Doesn't what the Qur'an states make you question if you have the right God or not? I believe most Muslims are Muslims because of family or national ties. A thinking man who examines the Qur'an will find no intelligible story line to follow and contradiction after contradiction such as the promise of wine in Heaven to a martyr, yet not a drop can touch his lips here on earth. Besides the Qur'an says that Allah is a "deceiver" and a "schemer"

“The hypocrites seek to deceive God, but it is He who deceives them” (Sura 4:142)
 
 “They schemed—but God also schemed. God is most profound in His schemings” (Sura 8:30)

The Bible's New Testament message is one of love. Jesus died and rose from the grave to triumph over death and sin - for ALL men...if they will accept Him as their Savior and Lord. Rather than forced prayer in the salats five times or more each day, I pray because of my personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I pray because I want to, because I love Him and because I want to be in close relations with Him.

<The reason P.L.O is doing what they do is because Israel is kicking them out of their land. You would too fight if someone is taking over your house and they only give you the backyard as your country, that's what the P.L.O is doing. I think we will probably see another Crusade War because everyone hate Islam.>

Do you not know history? There was never a Palestinian State - ever. On the other hand, God gave the Jews Israel 6,000 years ago. They were displaced in AD 70 but now - just as the Bible predicts, they have returned to their land. The PLO merely want to drive Israel into the sea and wipe them out. Any number of Arab states could give the Palestinians a homeland. The single reason the want Israel is to assure the annihilation of the Jews.

The Qur'an indeed encourages terrorist acts.

Qur'an 5:36 demands swift "justice" against those who oppose Muhammad and Islam: "The punishment of those who wage war against God and His Apostle, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land."

Sura 8:12 states: “God revealed His will to the angels, saying…I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers.”

It is just such evil that the Crusades were all about. I for one Christian, regret and am horrified by what happened in the Crusades. It was Islam in reverse - convert or die.

However wrong the Catholic Church was, the Crusades were indeed man made and the premise to kill those of other religions has absolutely no biblical origin in the New Testament. In the case of Islam however, it is no wonder that there are not more terrorists committing horrors in the name of Allah considering the straight forward teaching I have pointed out which encourages such by the Qur'an?

You know, the most important thing I want to stress to you is that though I believe Islam to be a violent, inconsistent and man-made religion, I personally love Muslims. I care enough to try and dialog with you (even though in many parts of the world I would be imprisoned or worse for doing so. Which again is just more of the "force over faith" nature of Islam).

Jesus died for you and every other Muslim and is calling you to make a choice about His love for you. I hope you will consider His offer of the free gift of salvation and freedom. Your good deeds cannot save you or me. Only the acceptance of Christ's sacrifice for our sins can save us. I pray you will do as many other Muslims have done and will surrender your life to Him today.

Eric

Visit Eric Barger and Take A Stand! Ministries at:
www.ericbarger.com

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