Posted on 10/26/2005 6:52:39 AM PDT by WJHII
Questioning Islam in a politically correct world. By William John Hagan
Houston Home Journal
10/26/2005
It may not be politically correct to point out the obvious, but why should reality be hog-tied by political correctness? As Americans we have become so multiculturally sensitive that even the US Postal Service now issues a yearly stamp celebrating the Islamic holy days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Preposterously, the first EID stamp came out just ten days before the 9/11 attacks on the United States.
The stamp which, in part, commemorates the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has received the full support of President George W. Bush. The President is the last person whom I would expect to get caught up in the world of pro-Islamic political correctness, especially since he claims to be an evangelical Christian. However, in a statement released by the White House, Bush declares: “Ramadan commemorates the revelation of God's word in the holy Koran to the prophet Mohammed”. As an evangelical Christian, Bush’s declarative statement trumpeting “the revelation of God’s word in the holy Koran” strains credulity. If a statement must be released, a polite comment such as “Ramadan commemorates what the followers of Islam believe is the revelation of God’s word” would be far more appropriate.
I can only assume that the President is completely unaware of what the Koran teaches about his beloved Jesus Christ or he is more concerned with appeasing the Islamic world than proclaiming his true values. I can only hope that the latter is true because, while Islam is respectful of the personage of Jesus, the teachings in the Koran regarding Christ are in complete conflict with mainstream Christianity.
It is evident that Bush believes in the divinity of Christ, however, the Koran teaches: “Those that claim that God is One of three have lied and committed unbelief. There is no God but Allah, the One…The Messiah, son of Mary, is only a prophet, one among many prophets who preceded him. His mother was a faithful believer but a human like him. (Q, 5:73-75)” Does Bush truly believe that such a statement is the “revelation of God’s word”? Does any Christian? Or does he find it as offensive as the following verse from the Koran regarding what should befall the followers of Jesus: “Their punishment shall be a scorching fire, a fire branding their foreheads, sides and backs (Q, 9:29, 34-35)”?
The Koran also teaches that one of the most basic tenants of Christianity is false. The Islamic faith instructs that Jesus did not die on the cross. The popular belief among Muslims is that Simon of Cyrene took Christ’s place. Certainly, even the most politically correct Christian cannot believe what the Koran says of the crucifixion: “They did not kill him, but he was counterfeited to them. They did not kill him certainly. (Q, 4:154)” This is in direct conflict with the non-biblical and non-Christian historical accounts of Christianity, written by contemporaries of Christ. The Roman historian Tacitus wrote: “Christus…suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of . . . Pontius Pilatus”. The Jewish historian Josephus also makes reference to the cruxificftion of Christ when he wrote: “About this time lived Jesus, a man full of wisdom, if indeed one may call Him a man. For He was the doer of incredible things, and the teacher of such as gladly received the truth. He thus attracted to Himself many Jews and many of the Gentiles. He was the Christ. On the accusation of the leading men of our people, Pilate condemned Him to death upon the cross; nevertheless those who had previously loved Him still remained faithful to Him. For on the third day He again appeared to them living, just as, in addition to a thousand other marvelous things, prophets sent by God had foretold. And to the present day the race of those who call themselves Christians after Him has not ceased.”
Both of these non-Christian accounts of the crucifixion of Jesus were written in the first century, as opposed to the sixth century writings found in the Koran. Unless one truly believes that the Koran is the word of God, transmitted to Muhammad by the Archangel Gabriel, it would then be advisable to believe historical accounts written during the early days of the Christian faith. Neither Romans nor Jews saw fit to insult the martyrdom of Jesus, but Islam does.
The Islamic festival of Eid al-Adha, which celebrates God preventing Abraham from sacrificing his son, and the Koran itself, may reveal the true origin of the Islamic Koran. The Koran teaches that Satan tricked Abraham into offering his own son as a sacrifice to God. (Q, 37:107) In the Koran, it is taught that God chastised Abraham for not recognizing Satan’s attempt to impersonate God: “You believed the dream…God never advocates sin”. (Q, 7:28) Ironically, the Muslims believe that it was Gabriel who, at the last moment, substituted Abraham’s son with a lamb and thwarts Satan’s plot against Abraham. The Koran, therefore, makes it clear that Islam teaches that Satan can even trick God’s greatest prophets. If one were to be undiplomatic, it could be speculated that the role of Gabriel, as the messenger of God to the prophet Mohammed as elucidated in the story of Eid al-Adha, could be an allegory for the true origin of the Koran.
Letters to the editor of The Houston Home Journal may be e-mailed to: hhj@evansnewspapers.com (Please Include Your Name and Location)
William John Hagan can be contacted directly by e-mail at: William_Hagan@excite.com
Do you have a better link?
It seems we can question Christanity and ever ban it but no one can discuss Islam the world largest hate religon.
"I can only assume that the President is completely unaware of what the Koran teaches about his beloved Jesus Christ or he is more concerned with appeasing the Islamic world than proclaiming his true values."
It is completely possible it is BOTH, not either/or.
Bush tries to be so nice. While I admire that in many ways, it's also frustrating. After being flagrantly attacked by Moslems and for Islam, and knowing (using common sense) that Islam has an incredibly bloody and cruel entire history, BUSH stated "Islam means peace" (actually it specifically means "submission") and "Islam is a religion of peace" - hard to swallow just a few weeks after the Outrage.
The link doesn't work.
So I don't like the tone, but I understand it.
Lucid and succinct - just like we like it.
Contradictions between the kur'an and the Holy Bible, between the kur'an and the Torah - just as we have known there to be.
Religion of pieces. As in small, dirty, gritty bits of whale excreta - lowest of the low.
P.R.O.P.* PING! for all my fellow mozzy-detesting, kur'an defiling, truth-respecting kuffar brothers and sisters!
Can't you just feel the love? I think Mecca and Medina ought to be bathed in a soft, warm glow...
A.A.C.
"The Final Crusade has commenced!"
Could you put me on a ping?
How is Islam the world's largest hate religion? Isn't the current problems with terrorism related to misinterpretations of the Islam faith by extremists? How did the Bible ever justify the Crusades?
It still is possible to recognize that the Islamic religion is a heresy without denouncing its followers. One can also speculate from whence it came, and still offer the hand of fellowship to those that have been taken in by it.
One goal in this world is to bring people to the truth, not fight with them.IMHO
So you are saying Islam is the 21 century version of the crusades? Did they learn from history that is not the correct approach?
Some would say the Crusades were also hate.
This has always been my stance on Islam. It is Satan spawned. Mohammed was his tool. It is part of Satan's plan for the ultimate deception of man and the instrument of his downfall.
That may be politically incorrect thinking. It may be offensive to some...but it is my opinion. Let the believers in Mohammed convince me otherwise.
Excellent points.
Oh they'll kill ya before they convince ya.
I would recommend three excellent books on this subject.
Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross by Norman Geisler
Jesus and Muhammad: Profound Differences and Surprising Similarities by Mark Gabriel
Islam and Terrorism: What the Quran Really Teaches About Christianity, Violence and the Goals of the Islamic Jihad also by Mark Gabriel
Thx for the ping, AAC. Excellent article.
Perfect!
I also hope the latter is true. The current appeasement of Muslims in this country is very dangerous and must end.
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