Posted on 10/21/2001 5:43:47 PM PDT by 11th Earl of Mar
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, Pastor Bill Hybels, of the Willow Creek Community Church, was increasingly bothered by reports of hate crimes and misinformation about Islam. "I was so concerned by the gap between Muslims and Christians that I thought Willow could do something about that," he said, according to the Chicago Tribune.
That "something" was to have his church invite a local Muslim leader, Fisal Hammouda, to talk about Islam to a total of 17,000 churchgoers, spread out over four services. "There are some Christians spreading half-truths that the Koran encourages violence," Hybels told his congregation. "(When) you take some stuff out of context ... we've got major problems."
Hammouda, a U.S. citizen, an engineer and religious leader in the Islamic Center in Naperville, first visited Willow Creek as part of the church's world religions weekend in March.
In one of his current appearances, Hammouda was questioned by Hybels, onstage in the 4,500-person auditorium. Hybels asked, "It appears that Osama bin Laden directed the attack (on Sept. 11) ... What do you think?" Hammouda said at first he thought "it couldn't be a Muslim," explaining that the Koran does not allow violence against innocent people ... "We believe in Jesus, more than you do, in fact," Hammouda said, drawing laughter when Hybels, smiling, ventured to disagree.
"Muslims consider Jesus and other biblical figures to be Islamic prophets -- though not as important as Muhammad -- and we have all the prophets from the Bible," Hammouda said.
Willow Creek Church Welcomes Muslim Cleric's Perspective
This is not a Christian church..it is a "New Age" knock off
"come ye out from among them"
We need to pray that God lead them out of that place.
This comment concerns shows the ignorance of his congregation, and apparently Hybel himself: Judy Barrie, 30, of Mundelein said the interview "opened up doors to communicate and showed [Muslims are] people just like we are." That is the kind of impact Hybels had hoped for.
If he would read he his Bible he would see we aren't the same: 2 Cor 6:15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
I have been trying for almost 20 years to get Christians to bring the gospel to their Muslim neighbors. Most followers of Christ have been asleep on this point.
Well, the Clinton appearance was a definitely "problematic" at best but this is outright lunacy.
I still like Contagious Christianity and How to Build a Contagious Church.
Wolves in sheeps clothing...they end up in places like Willowcreek eating the sheep...with the Pastors permission......heck with his invitation
Muslim blames US at Chicago's Largest Church (BARF)
Miscellaneous
Published: 10/06/01 Author: Dengar01
Posted on 10/6/01 6:16 PM Pacific by Dengar01
I just got home from church and I had to post this. I attended Willow Creek church which is north west of Chicago. It is the largest church in the area, it is a non-denominational Christian church, the main auditorium hold 10,000 people and was filled tonight. The topic of the 5:00 service tonight was the interview with a Muslim named Iama Fisal Hammounda, by Senior Pastor Bill Hybels. They will be having three more services between tonight and tomorrow, I pray to God they change their plans for the next services. I knew this was going to get ugly when the church showed a video on ethnic diversity. I looked around at the church filled to capacity with over 10,000 people and noticed several Muslims.
The inteview started and the man was introduced as a Egyptian who moved here in 1974. He complained that his wife was in Florida and couldn't come home due to the fact that she would be harassed. The goal of Pastor Hybel's interview was to prove that Islam is a peaceful religion, lets just say that he failed, miserabley.
Pastor Hybels did ask some very good questions which surprised me since I thought the Muslim might take the questions as offensive. A few questions statements stood out. The Muslim declared that Islam was peaceful and that the terrorists did not follow Islam, fine I guess. He continued that a "Jihad" had to do with attacking sin he made the poor analogy of declaring a jihad on eating candy.
Continuing Pastor Hybels asked him about martyrs along with the virgins and the streams of wine and the Muslim responded I pray for that to happen. He was truly innappropriate and this is when everything went downhill.
He declared that the terrorists in the US were bad but that the Palestinians were "freedom fighters". Immediately after saying that all the Muslims attending applauded. After the Muslims were jumping for joy with the Mr. Hammounda's innappropriate remarks, many people got up and walked out disgusted. I stayed to hear his next remarks which stunned me worse than his previous remarks.
He then stated that, "The US is responsible for terrorism"
That is when I walked out.
Fortunately for me to write this my sister and her husband stayed while I was complaining to several people at the Service Desk. The final statement which I was lucky enough to miss finished with Mr. Hammounda saying that Christians and Muslims can be friends, only on Muslims terms.
Yes you heard it the slime being spewed by the left is false. I heard it first hand from this man answering innappropriately while joking about a serious issue. I made the statement that this was unnacceptable for a church and should not be tolerated.
If you agree with me you can FReep the church at:
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road
South Barrington, IL 60010
(847) 765-5000
Fax: (847) 765-9222
General e-mail: info@willowcreek.org
Don't worry because the church had many people furious, about 200 people walked out including myself and many people were venting their frustration to people who work at the church. I will be calling the church tomorrow to let them know how I feel. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Navigation: use the links below to view
Your absolutely right on. New Age it is.
Hey base long time no see:>)
I have to tell you we dont agree here ! A rotten tree bears rotten fruit
Targeting and marketing and compromise sermons get lots of bodies down here
I am more of the mind to let God build HIS church
BTW my church is using similar stuff ..I am not happy!
Ditto, and Amen!
I've been to the Willow Creek church twice, both times with my wife. For those who don't reside in the Hoffman Estates, IL area, Willow Creek is a "new age", non-traditional church.
The first time I went I was quite uncomfortable for some reason--like someone was watching me. I didn't mention it to my wife, but it bothered me.
The second time we went the feeling was much, much worse. I felt that something extremely evil was there. It was a relief to get out.
I later mentioned these two events to my wife who got a frightened look on her face and explained how see was sitting there listening to the sermon (the second time we went) and that she suddenly saw a hideous "head" come flying at her and passed through her.
Since the event, I confessed to a couple of friends what had happened and they said they've heard similar stories from others. Yikes.
We won't be returning.
...and no, I haven't been drinking tonight.
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