Baptist preacher defends church's anti-Islam sign

The Times-Union ^ | Thu., July 28, 2005 | JEFF BRUMLEY

[tutstar]

The sign may be controversial, but the Rev. Gene A. Youngblood said it is researched and speaks the truth.

"Islam is evil and believes in murder," reads the sign at the entrance of First Conservative Baptist Church and the Conservative Theological Seminary on St. Augustine Road in Jacksonville. "Jesus teaches peace."

References to specific Quranic and biblical verses accompany the statement, which Youngblood said are meant to serve as a warning to society.

"I am of the opinion, based on enormous research of the Muslims' own books, that Islam is the most vile, wicked, evil danger facing the world today," Youngblood said.

[PigRigger]

"Just as there are many interpretations of the Bible, so can there also be with the Koran....."

Unfortunately, where Luther could point out the fallacies of the Catholic Church during his time (with regard to the Churches proscribed actions and requests)using the words transcribed within New Testament; a similar person of the Islamic faith will be hard pressed to do so using the Koran.

The Koran is full of violence and commands to do violence in Allah's name. That stands in complete contradiction to what is found in the New Testament. There is no moral equivalence to be found when comparing the two.

Even with that being said, I still feel that a reformation is possible. However, the violence that will ensue when attempted will be overwhelming.

IMHO.....

[B Knotts]

OK...this is getting a little off-topic...but:

Martin Luther

Luther chose to omit parts of the Old Testament that were found in the Greek Septuagint but not in the Hebrew Masoretic texts then available. These were included in his earliest translation, but later removed, along with James, Jude, and Revelation, because they did not hold up his ideas on Justification by 'faith alone.' His New Testament exclusions were quickly readmitted. Those Old Testament exclusions were eventually omitted by nearly all Protestants, and are known in Protestant circles as the Apocrypha. See Biblical canon.

Anyhow, I probably shouldn't have made the snarky comment, but I was somewhat offended by the implicit comparison of Islam to the Catholic Church, by bringing up Luther.

[Romish_Papist]

Well, an Islamic reformer could use the same approach as Luther. He could simply remove the parts with which he disagrees.

Yup.

[B Knotts]

Of course I believe the Church was teaching proper Christian doctrine. Were there some people engaging in questionable practices? Sure. There always are, in every time.

Followups to FReepmail, please, so as to not further derail this thread.

[Dark Skies]

snarky comment

Heh heh...I didn't even notice.

I appreciate the info you provided...always learning something new.

I am a protestant but I don't exclude the apocrypha (particularly fond of the Book of Enoch...vy interesting). I actually considered becoming Catholic at one time (have Catholics in the family), but always got hung up on the Marion and Pergatory stuff. Still love the RCC and go to Mass from time to time, but have remained a protestant.

[SALChamps03]

Islam is evil and believes in murder

Hmmmmm. I still don't see the problem.

[SALChamps03]

I went to read the verse online. I can't seem to make the connection. I am not trying to refute him. It could be the online version I found that is causing the difficulty.

[B Knotts]

My dad is a Methodist, so don't get me wrong...I'm not trying to be a triumphalist or anything. I was mainly just being a smart-a$$.

[Publius6961]

Since when is stating facts subject to criticism?

[Publius6961]

Looks like this may turn out to be good. I wonder if it will be televised.

It should be pay-per-view, all proceeds to ACAIR...

: )

[tutstar]

Most certainly is. Thanks for the link!!

[tutstar]

True but there are many who preach a "different" gospel and so their foundation is not what it ought to be.

[bk1000]

"Oddly, the last time I saw a "White Power" bumper sticker was in Jacksonville."

You are implying an equivilance. 'White Power' is a racist statement. 'Down with Islam' is not. Islam is an ideology, not a race or ethnicity.

[tutstar]

ROFL that's hilarious!!

[tutstar]

Ok, I've pinged most of you that have posted on the thread.

I called and actually got to speak with Rev. Youngblood, I wanted to find out if the debate will be on local tv , etc. He is talking with a couple of local stations and is scheduled for an interview with one of the locals. I'll post when there's more info as to a date for the debate. It is desired to have it live and not taped for later viewing and thus subject to editing.

I proposed that it also be carried live over the internet. Do yall have any suggestions as to whose sites we might contact to do a live stream of the debate provided Malik doesn't back down? I'm going to contact John Ankerberg and see if he might. Any suggestions for possible live streaming and offers to help contact them?

Actually I think it would be kind of cool if CAIR would host a live stream. Use their site and $$$ to get the gospel out and debunk Islam. Anyone think CAIR would be game for it?

[tutstar]

American Muslim Scholars Call Terrorism a Violation of Islamic Teaching

[Dark Skies]

Good work...keep me on your ping list for this topic.

[PigRigger]

"Do yall have any suggestions"

How about Pay Per View with the profits going to a fund that both can agree upon.....I'd pay to see this debate....

[tutstar]

OK will do!!

[tutstar]

That's a good idea but it might disqualify a lot of potential viewers due to having to pay. I think you're on to something though!!