Christians believe Jesus Christ is God, seamlessly intergral of the Trinity of God. Similarly, Christians believe The Holy Spirit is God, seamlessly integral of the Trinity of God. Indeed, denial of the Holy Spirit is the unpardonable sin.
Muslims do not believe Jesus Christ is God, nor is there any place or space for the inbreathed Holy Spirit within their beliefs. Far, far from it. They judge such beliefs as demonic lies.
Now, Muslims cannot plead ignorance of Jesus Christ. They acknowledge him as a prophet, but only a prophet--and a lesser prophet than Muhammad, the "seal of the prophets." But they steadfastly deny he is the Son of God; they repudiate as a blatant, evil lie any suggestion that he died on the cross and was resurrected.
According to Christian belief, to deny Jesus Christ, to deny his death and resurrection, is to deny his Father, God. Such denial certainly doesn't qualify as the worship of the Father, God.
So let us ask again, from the perspective of the Muhammad and the Koran--do Muslims and Christians worship the same God?
Clearly, in a theological sense, fully informed and honest Muslims and Christians do NOT worship the same God. At most it may be said they recognize the existence of the same God.
But President Bush says Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Why is his assertion that they do, with its inescapable core implications, not offensive to Muslims?
At this point, the Christian and Muslim religions are inherently and unchangebly opposed at their cores. Any honest and informed answer to the question, "Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God" will point up this fundamental opposition.
For a Christian to deny this fundamental disagreement and say that Muslims and Christians do worship the same God, will not be understood by an honest and informed Muslim as praise and a healing compliment, but will be heard as rank blaspemy, an insult of the highest order.
I don't see that happening.
President Bush, Prime Minister Hold Joint Press Conference
Foreign and Commonwealth Offices
London, England
< snip >
Q Mr. President, when you talk about peace in the Middle East, you've often said that freedom is granted by the Almighty. Some people who share your beliefs don't believe that Muslims worship the same Almighty. I wonder about your views on that. . . .
PRESIDENT BUSH: I do say that freedom is the Almighty's gift to every person. I also condition it by saying freedom is not America's gift to the world. It's much greater than that, of course. And I believe we worship the same God.
When you are walking on eggs, don't hop.
Whoops! (REALLY, REALLY BIG ONE). . .
WHO in the world is advising Dubya on this? WHY is he saying such INCREDIBLE thing!?
WHAT'S next - CAIR president gets appointed head of HOME DEFENSE?
Man!!!
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
A refugee from the Muslim Middle East thinks he has discovered Islam's 20-point plan for conquering the United States by 2020 - a plan revealed in the latest issue of Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin.
Anis Shorrosh, author of ''Islam Revealed'' and ''The True Furqan,'' is a Christian Arab-American who emigrated from Arab-controlled Jerusalem in January 1967.
''The following is my analysis of Islamic invasion of America, the agenda of Islamists and visible methods to take over America by the year 2020,'' Shorrosh says. ''Will Americans continue to sleep through this invasion as they did when we were attacked on 9/11?''
1. Terminate America's freedom of speech by replacing it with statewide and nationwide hate-crime bills.
2. Wage a war of words using black leaders like Louis Farrakhan, Rev. Jesse Jackson and other visible religious personalities who promote Islam as the religion of African-Americans while insisting Christianity is for whites only. What they fail to tell African-Americans is that it was Arab Muslims who captured them and sold them as slaves. In fact, the Arabic word for black and slave is the same, ''Abed.''
3. Engage the American public in dialogues, discussions, debates in colleges, universities, public libraries, radio, TV, churches and mosques on the virtues of Islam. Proclaim how it is historically another religion like Judaism and Christianity with the same monotheistic faith.
4. Nominate Muslim sympathizers to political office to bring about favorable legislation toward Islam and support potential sympathizers by block voting.
5. Take control of as much of Hollywood, the press, TV, radio and the Internet as possible by buying the related corporations or a controlling stock.
6. Yield to the fear of the imminent shut-off of the lifeblood of America - black gold. America's economy depends on oil and 41 percent of it comes from the Middle East.
7. Yell ''foul, out-of-context, personal interpretation, hate crime, Zionist, un- American, inaccurate interpretation of the Quran'' anytime Islam is criticized or the Quran is analyzed in the public arena.
8. Encourage Muslims to penetrate the White House, specifically with Islamists who can articulate a marvelous and peaceful picture of Islam. Acquire government positions and get membership in local school boards. Train Muslims as medical doctors to dominate the medical field, research and pharmaceutical companies. (Ever notice how numerous Muslim doctors in America are, when their countries need them more desperately than America?) Take over the computer industry. Establish Middle Eastern restaurants throughout the U.S. to connect planners of Islamization in a discreet way.
9. Accelerate Islamic demographic growth via:
10. Reading, writing, arithmetic and research through the American educational system, mosques and student centers (now 1,500) should be sprinkled with dislike of Jews, evangelical Christians and democracy. There are currently 300 exclusively Muslim schools in the U.S. which teach loyalty to the Quran, not the U.S. Constitution. In January of 2002, Saudi Arabia's Embassy in Washington mailed 4,500 packets of the Quran and videos promoting Islam to America's high schools - free of charge. Saudi Arabia would not allow the U.S. to reciprocate.
11. Provide very sizeable monetary Muslim grants to colleges and universities in America to establish ''Centers for Islamic studies'' with Muslim directors to promote Islam in higher-education institutions.
12. Let the entire world know through propaganda, speeches, seminars, local and national media that terrorists have hijacked Islam, when in truth, Islam hijacked the terrorists.
13. Appeal to the historically compassionate and sensitive Americans for sympathy and tolerance towards Muslims in America who are portrayed as mainly immigrants from oppressed countries.
14. Nullify America's sense of security by manipulating the intelligence community with misinformation. Periodically terrorize Americans with reports of impending attacks on bridges, tunnels, water supplies, airports, apartment buildings and malls.
15. Form riots and demonstrations in the prison system demanding Islamic Sharia as the way of life, not America's justice system.
16. Open numerous charities throughout the U.S., but use the funds to support Islamic terrorism with American dollars.
17. Raise interest in Islam on America's campuses by insisting freshman take at least one course on Islam.
18. Unify the numerous Muslim lobbies in Washington, mosques, Islamic student centers, educational organizations, magazines and papers by Internet and an annual convention to coordinate plans, propagate the faith and engender news in the media.
19. Send intimidating messages and messengers to the outspoken individuals who are critical of Islam and seek to eliminate them by hook or crook.
20. Applaud Muslims as loyal citizens of the U.S. by spotlighting their voting record as the highest percentage of all minority and ethic groups in America.
Shorrosh is a member of the Oxford Society of Scholars, has traveled in 76 countries, and is a lecturer and producer of TV documentaries. ''Islam Revealed'' is a bestseller now in its eighth printing. His forthcoming 10th book, from which the 20-point plan is abridged, is titled ''Islam: A Threat or a Challenge.''
''The True Furqan'' is also available for viewing on Islam-Exposed.org. Shorrosh's new website is Focusing-on-Islam.com.
The Truth About Islam
Observations by Dr. David R. Reagan
Ever since the Attack on America on September 11, 2001, we have heard a never-ending chorus of voices from government, academia, and the media assuring us that the Islamic terrorists who attacked the Trade Towers and the Pentagon are not representative of "true Islam." We have been likewise assured by spiritual leaders - even some Christian spokesmen - that Islam is a religion of peace, and that Muslims worship the same God as Christians and Jews.
"Our war is not against Islam," we have been told repeatedly. "Our war is against terrorism."
Central Questions
Well, what about it?
The Intolerant and Militant Nature of Islam
One of the most controversial issues regarding Islam concerns whether or not it is a militant religion. Muslims in the West argue it is peace-loving. Westerners who have experienced it in the Muslim world argue it is inherently intolerant and militant.
The Koran itself preaches intolerance toward other religions. Sura 5 contains the following command: "Take not Jews and Christians for friends . . . He among you who takes them for friends is one of them . . . Choose not for friends such of those who received the Scripture before you [Jews and Christians] . . But keep your duty to Allah" (verses 51, 55, 57). Extreme intolerance is commanded in Sura 5:33 - "[For those who do not submit to Allah] their punishment is . . . execution or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet, from the opposite sides, or exile from the land."
The Koran also expresses an intolerant attitude toward any person who decides to reject the Islamic faith or convert to another religion. Such persons are to be executed (Sura 9:12). In the Hadith (the oral tradition of Muhammad's sayings) it says "Whoever changes his religion, kill him" (Hadith 9:57). These commands are practiced in all Islamic Fundamentalist countries today.
With regard to militancy, the Koran not only condones it, it commands it:
Fighting is prescribed for you, and [some of] you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not (Sura 2:16).
Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war (Sura 9:5).
Fight in the way of Allah . . . and slay them [the unbelievers] wherever you find them and drive them out . . . and fight them until . . . religion is for Allah (Sura 2:190-193).
Muhammad is quoted in the Hadith as saying, "The sword is the key of heaven and hell. A drop of blood in the cause of Allah - a night spent in arms [war] - is of more avail than two months of fasting and prayer. Whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven, and at the day of judgment, his limbs shall be supplied by the wings of angels and cherubim."12
The Imperialistic Nature of Islam
From its inception, Islam has been committed to what it calls jihad - a word meaning holy war. The duty of Muslims is to subjugate or destroy "infidels" - the term the Koran uses for all non-believers.
In the Muslim viewpoint, the world is divided into two regions - those areas controlled by Islam, called Dar al-Islam (meaning the House of Islam) and those called Dar al-Harb (the House of War). The Koran commands Muslims to fight non-Muslims until they exterminate all other religions, leaving Islam as the one and only religion in the world (Suras 2:193 and 8:39). Muhammad is quoted in the Hadith as saying, "I have been ordered to fight with the people until they say, none has the right to be worshiped but Allah" (Hadith 4:196).
Regarding terror, Allah orders Muslims to terrorize non-Muslims on his behalf: "Strike terror (into the hearts of ) the enemies of Allah and your enemies" (Sura 8:60). Allah then assures his followers that he will assist them: "I will instill terror into the hearts of unbelievers. Smite them above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them. It is not you who slay them, it is Allah" (Sura 8:12, 17).
Concerning jihad,14 the Koran guarantees Paradise to those who fight for Allah (Sura 4:74). It promises instant Paradise for those who die in battle (Suras 9:111 and 47:5-6). Dying for Allah is presented as better than living: "And if you are killed or die in the Way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that others may amass [of worldly wealth]" (Sura 3:157).
Martyrs are promised a sensual and luxurious life in Paradise (Sura 52:17-22). According to Al-Ghazzali, one of Islam's greatest teachers, when a martyr reaches Paradise, he "will marry 500 companions, 4,000 virgins, and 8,000 divorced women."15 Commenting on this statement, Randall Price, biblical teacher and Middle East expert, observed that the Islamic Paradise is "just the kind of place that adolescent, unmarried men, isolated through their lives from the opposite sex by rigid cultural standards, would die for."16
Fundamentalist Goals
The Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran was the modern day Islamic spokesman who revived Muhammad's vision of world conquest. He taught that the re-establishment of Israel was a Satanic miracle allowed by Allah because of the lukewarmness of the Muslim masses. He called for a renewal of true Islam to accomplish three purposes:19
Notice the first priority was the transformation of secular Islamic countries into religious states ruled by the Koran. Then would come Israel and the world.
In a proclamation made by Osama bin Laden in 1998, he listed the same goals and prioritized them in the same order.20 He then identified the United States as the prime obstacle to the achievement of these goals. Accordingly, he called on Muslims everywhere "to comply with Allah's order to kill the Americans and plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it."
It is important to note that the eradication of Israel is not the top priority. Nor is Israel viewed as the major obstacle to world conquest. I emphasize this because many Americans are saying that the key to winning the war against terrorism is to dump Israel. More and more, on radio talk shows, I hear people saying, "Let's cut Israel loose. Let the Arabs have it. Then they will leave us alone."
That is utter nonsense. Israel is not the cause of Islamic terrorism toward the West. If Israel were to disappear tomorrow, Fundamentalist Islam would still be determined to destroy America as part of its plan to take the world for Allah. And if we were to abandon Israel, the Muslim world would interpret it as an act of cowardice, proving our word is meaningless and that we truly are, as they say, "a depraved society devoid of values." Our abandonment of Israel would only whet their appetite. Islamic Fundamentalism cannot be appeased. It must be defeated.
FATIMA TO BECOME INTERFAITH SHRINE
Delegates attending the Vatican and United Nations (UN) inspired annual interfaith congress "The Future of God", held during October in Fátima, heard how the Shrine is to be developed into a centre where all the religions of the world will gather to pay homage to their various gods. The Congress was held in the Paul VI Pastoral Centre and presided over by the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon José de Cruz Policarpo.
The Shrine's rector, Monsignor Luciano Guerra, told the Congress that Fátima "will change for the better." Addressing Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Orthodox, Buddhist and African Pagan representatives he stated: "The future of Fátima, or the adoration of God and His mother at this holy Shrine, must pass through the creation of a shrine where different religions can mingle. The inter-religious dialogue in Portugal, and in the Catholic Church, is still in an embryonic phase, but the Shrine of Fátima is not indifferent to this fact and is already open to being a universalistic place of vocation."
The Hindu representative Ansshok Ansraj, described how already in the Far East millions of Hindus are getting "positive vibrations" from visiting Marian shrines without endangering their faith.
Monsignor Guerra pointed out that the very fact that Fátima is the name of a Muslim and Mohammed's daughter, is indicative that the Shrine must be open to the co-existence of various faiths and beliefs.
According to the Monsignor: "Therefore we must assume that it was the will of the Blessed Virgin Mary that this comes about this way."
Traditional Catholics opposed to the Congress were described by the Monsignor as "old fashioned, narrow minded, fanatic extremists and provocateurs."
For the first time in the 86-year history of Fátima all of the Pagan and Christian delegates were invited to participate in the Ecumenical celebrations. One of the principle speakers, the Jesuit theologian Father Jacques Dupuis, was insistent that the religions of the world must unite. "The religion of the future will be a general converging of religions in a universal Christ that will satisfy all", he said.
The Belgium born theologian argued: "The other religious traditions in the world are part of God's plan for humanity and the Holy Spirit is operating and present in Buddhist, Hindu and other sacred writings of Christian and non-Christian faiths as well." In an impassioned plea he said: "The universality of God's kingdom permits this, and this is nothing more than a diversified form of sharing in the same mystery of salvation. In the end it is hoped that the Christian will become a better Christian and each Hindu a better Hindu."
An official statement put out by the Congress called for a non-proselytizing approach by all religions. "No one religion can irradiate another", it said "or strengthen itself by downplaying others and an open dialogue is the way to building bridges and tearing down walls of centuries of hate. What is needed is that each religion be true to its faith integrally and treat each religion on the same footing of equality with no inferior or superiority complexes." It emphasized that the secret to peace amongst all religions is admitting that contradictions exist between creeds but to concentrate on what unites them as opposed to what separates them.
Delegates agreed that religious shrines, including Fátima, should be revamped every 25 years to reflect modern day trends and beliefs. The Shrine of Fátima is about to undergo a complete reconstruction with a new stadium-like basilica being erected close by the existing one built in 1921.
For years, Britain, and London in particular, has been a hub for Islamic radicals.
CBN.com – LONDON — Since 9/11, Britain has emerged as America's closest ally in the war against terrorism. Ironically, Britain is also a major base of operation for some of the most radical Islamic organizations, including some direct supporters of Osama bin Laden. At the heart of Britain's radical Islamic movement is a man named Mustafa Kamel, a.k.a. Abu Hamza al-Masri. An Egyptian cleric, Hamza is wanted by other countries for suspected terrorist activities. And the FBI is building a case against him and several of his associates.
Today, he spends his time in London running a group called "Supporters of Sharia." According to the SOS website, the goal is to replace secular rule and democracy with Sharia, a harsh form of Islamic law.
When CBN News asked Hamza if he wants to see Great Britain become a Muslim nation based on Sharia, he said, "The whole of the planet, not only Great Britain, because we are all a creation of god, we have to pay god his attributes, and follow his law."
Hamza, who has a metal hook on his right arm, lost both hands and an eye during a raid in Afghanistan 10 years ago. He believes a holy war is the only way to implement the laws of Allah in Britain. Included in this is a call for martyrdom.
"This is the only way you can prove yourself in front of god. Look, this is the dearest thing I have, is my life, if I had anything dearer than that, I would have given it to you. So being a martyr is an honor," Hamza said.
For years, Britain, and London in particular, has been a hub for Islamic radicals. Some anti-terrorism investigators have even called the British capital "Londonistan." Many fundamentalist groups find Britain, with its liberal immigration laws and tradition of free speech, to be a perfect base for their jihad against the West.
There are about two million Muslims living in Britain. About 48 percent of them live in London, and their numbers are growing fast.
Jay Smith, an American missionary to England, said, "The influence of Islam is growing dramatically for a number of reasons. First and foremost, they are doing an awful lot more than we are, than anybody else is to make sure that it grows. For that reason, people are hearing, people are listening, people are being influenced. They are converting right, left and center."
Religious experts have called London the evangelical hub of radical Islam in the West. Some see the conversion of England to Islam as an important strategy for winning Europe.
Omar Izzadeen and a number of other young men belong to a radical Muslim group called Al Muhajiroun. Their mission is to establish Al Khilafah, a global Islamic regime, starting here in Britain.
"Our message is to bring Islam to the world. Islam will conquer the White House, will conquer in Downing Street," Izzadeen said. "It means conquer, it means the Americans will live under Islam, like it or not. So will the UK."
On a Friday night, Izzadeen instructs the group to follow the example of the 19 hijackers of September 11th. He reminds them that it only took a "few good men" to bring terror to America.
"It really shook the Americans, a Superpower, shook by 19! And it showed their weakness. You see brothers, if people put their minds to something, they can do anything, and in particular, the believers," Izzadeen said.
While the majority of Muslims here have nothing to do with these radical groups, experts say Islam is becoming a major force to be reckoned with in Britain.
And for those who do not care to believe in their god, what are the consequences? Hamza said, "Well, if you live in my property and you don't pay me my rent, you get out! And Jihad is to get you out, this is the property of god, you don't worship him, you get out. How are you going to get out? You get killed!"
Muslims, Christians and Jews all worship the same God.
A Muslim friend explained it to me years ago. That place in Mecca (I can't spell the name) is where Abraham offered the sacrifice to God. Or it's where Abraham is buried. Something like that. It's been many years, and at the time it didn't seem that important. Knowing how freepers can research anything, I'll let someone else come up with the story. At our earliest the three great religions have the same roots.