After seeing “The Passion” Muslims start searching for the Gospel

Asia News ^ | April 7, 04 | Asia News

[churchillbuff]

Doha (AsiaNews) – “”Do you have the New Testament in Arab? Me and all my friends would like to read it.” This was the request of 2 students from Qatar, after seeing Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ”.

Already on the second day after the film started showing in Qatar, many local newspapers are reporting the film on their front pages. According to the English language daily, The Peninsula Qatar, since the first three days of its release, 66,321 tickets have been sold –smashing the record once held by Matrix Reloaded, which had sold 59,000.

The film is becoming so popular in Qatar that some theaters have cancelled showings of other films in order to increase viewings of Gibson’s blockbuster.

Middle East Christians are spellbound by the interest Arabs have taken in the seeing the Gospel portrayed on the big screen.

The movie has sparked hours of discussion between Christians and Muslims regarding questions of faith. Many Arabs were interested in seeing the film only because of the anti-Semitic controversy surrounding it. However the movie’s theme is an unavoidable subject. “The message of loving your enemies and Jesus who, even while up on the cross, prayed for and forgave them strikes all viewers deeply,” said David and Natalie, an American married couple working in Qatar.

The American couple said they were amazed the government had permitted the film to be released in an Islamic country like Qatar. “In the next few weeks tens of thousands of people living here will go and see this powerful retelling of Christ’s suffering and death. Many moviegoers react to the film. For example, those sitting next to us in the theater were moved and breathless. Others wept or had looks of disgust on their facers when watching the brutality Jesus underwent,” they said.

"This film is generating huge interest in Jesus and the Bible,” said David and Natalie. “All this has never happened before!”

[SJackson]

No, it's not a buffalo, and it's just a picture from the internet. BISON permits are very hard to get. I do eat farm raised BISON. Along with venison and elk, it's as healthy as you get if you're going to eat meat, better than fish.

This is a bullalo

These are Buffalo Wings

[missyme]

You know I just read an article that men are at high risk for Colon-rectal cancer who eat a high fat diet of red meat...Women to but they also have to watch high dairy products and men do not, anyways I think it is because meat is not digestable? so my question is why would G-d command us to eat red meat if our bodies are not meant to digest it?

Fish is easier on our bodies, don't you like Oarnge Roughy?
Salmon? Swordfish? Monk Fish Red Snapper? those are great digestable meats....

[irv]

I hope you are right and I am wrong.

You're right and wrong.

There will be true conversions. Most of those who would only be moved to hate, won't see the movie in the first place. They will, however, torture and murder converts without mercy. If history is any guide, they will fail to wipe out the converts, however, making for some interesting and difficult times ahead of them all.

[rodeo-mamma]

Maybe the Muslums will be stuck by the realization that Judism and Christianity were not born in one day like their religon. Instead, events that led to these two great religons were fortold and unfolded over the course of hundreds, even thousands of years. By comparison, the Muslum religion looks like child-play, it's all based on the word of one man, unlike the two former religions.

[alexandria]

Every one of them causes me to weep. This one is no exception. The tears are tears of worship, adoration and gratitude.

My favorite line from the movie that breaks my heart every time I replay it in my mind
"behold mother, I make all things new again"
this was said on the way to Calgary in the movie. Driving home the point that this was not an "incident" where a righteous man was unjustly killed but rather a carefully orchestrated plan for the lord to be able to sacrifice himself to save our souls.

[SJackson]

so my question is why would G-d command us to eat red meat if our bodies are not meant to digest it?

They were all wild in those day's. There's still plenty of good meat to eat.

Like fish, unlike cows, game animals exercise. Fat content per 3 oz, without getting into saturated/cholesterol details et al, we’re off topic enough already. We should be eating cod or moose.

Deer-3
Moose (Kosher, forgot a picture)-1
Caribou (Kosher) -4
Elk (Kosher)-2
Antelope (Kosher)-2
Beef-18
Pork-13
Salmon, trout, sardines-9
Mackeral, halibut, swordfish-5
Cod, whitefish-1

[kaki]

Amen and BTTT

[alexandria]

I can't help but see Islam as a conterfeit to real faith--which spits in the face of recorded history--in the name of a supposed revealed history.

Which is what satan is, a conterfeit to Jesus. Satan cannot create anything, only destrory and maniplulate others to destroy.

[missyme]

Well I am for Good Health and Good Meat....Moose? maybe one day but I think I will try some lamb this weekend..hopefully....)

[potlatch]

Phil, this relates to your article on The Passion being shown in Qatar.

[saradippity]

Several years ago Pope John Paul II asked Catholics to pray the Rosary for the conversion of Islam. I do this regularly,I see no other way than to pray and trust.

[graf008]

But there is no section within the Egyption Legal System that encodes this, correct? Is this still carried out? When is the last occurance of "oppression" of Christians in Egypt and what did it entail?

Just curious as my friend has family in Egypt who are Christians...

[Ciexyz]

Praise God! This is wonderful news.

[churchillbuff]

Several years ago Pope John Paul II asked Catholics to pray the Rosary for the conversion of Islam. I do this regularly,I see no other way than to pray and trust.

BUMP!!!!

[AmericanVictory]

What they want to see is maybe not what the Lord
will cause them to see. Just how will the Mullahs control the Son of the Living God once his Word walks among them?

[Aquinasfan]

Thank you!! You are an incredible font of knowledge...are you a priest?

8-) No. Married. But I've thought about becoming a deacon. I teach RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) at our parish.

[Tunehead54]

Here's something that just popped up this AM:

More Details On Christian Arrested (Saudi Arabia)

---

China I believe is a bit more tolerant and certainly does not enforce a state religion.

[Ann Archy]

Pursue your calling...become a Deacon...you have a wonderful gift from God. You have the power and talent to TEACH great things about our religion....that is the ultimate. I'll bet you would give a TERRIFIC sermon!! GO!!

[hinckley buzzard]

I was reading an article on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East generally, and it included a section on Egypt. Sorry I can't point you to it directly, it was either Washington Times, Human Events, or WSJ. If you are in fact interested you'll have to do your own homework, or better, just ask your friend to ask his family.

As far as being "encoded" in the "Egyptian Legal System,"
who the hell knows. Do you really think it would matter?

Yes, it is going on as we speak.

[graf008]

Actually, my friend and his family has not *yet* been targetted - that is why I was concerned and curious about actual news.

And it does matter if it is written into the law or not.

I know there was some sectarian violence in January of 2001 that left 20 Christians dead (and only one Muslim). I also know that the Egyption government has, in addition, jailed members of an Islamic Sect (Hizb al-'Amal). In addition, I know that members of the Baha'i faith have been arrested and jailed. And that faith is prohibited from public meetings. So my question is in what degree is the persecution of Christians different from the other non-Muslim religions or the other minority Muslim sects? It looks like there is more violence directed towards the Christians, while the Muslims and others are treated more humanely and just jailed.