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
Mr. Hybels, you may think and say that "Islam Is Not Religion of Violence", the facts of history prove you are wrong. Just tell this to the evangelical Christians who have been and are being martyred or persecuted for their faith in Christ and in His Father , the God of Israel in every Muslim country on the face of the Earth. Tell it to the believers in Indonesia, the Philippines, Egypt, Saudi Arabia,... FILL IN THE BLANK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are foisting the line that "Islam Means Peace" =
What they mean is this: When the Muslims kill or subjugate all the Christians and Jews in the entire world, only then will there be "peace."
We are told that "Moderate Muslims Fear Their Message Is Being Ignored"
No, we got the real message loud and clear on September 11th!
I hear a lot about being "tolerant" towards Muslims, but not one word about the Muslims being tolerant of Christians and Jews. Mr. Hybles, I have just one question for you:
Where are the thousands upon thousands and millions of Muslims and their clerics voicing their outrage over what their religion has foisted upon New York, the United States and throughout the world?
Answer: They don't exist because Islam is NOT a "tolerant" religion, nor is it a “religion of peace" (again, just ask the Christians and missionaries being killed and persecuted by Islam throughout the rest of the world).
Carlos "The Jackal" said this in reference to Islam and the over 5,000 Americans that lost their lives:
``The dead are almost all enemy soldiers, in uniform in the Pentagon and wearing ties in New York,''
Mr. Hybles, you had better wake up, realize and tell your congregation the following:
1. We are at TOTAL WAR with these people and they started it.
2. We must understand these Muslims do NOT want to conquer us, they want to DESTROY US, period. This is important because it gives insight into the type of attack they will throw at us = bio, nuclear and chemical attacks are likely because THEY KNOW THEY CAN NOT WIN A CONVENTIONAL WAR AND THEY HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF FIGHTING ONE. We must therefore act accordingly.
3. Civilians, (SPECIFICALLY: AMERICANS, CHRISTIANS AND JEWS) men women AND CHILDREN are the intended targets (like the people of your congregation), that they are going to attack because these Muslims see them as "the enemy." And they have, can and WILL attack them at will, without fear of a defensive response on the part of their victims because they know they are in no position to fight back or resist them!
4. This is ultimately a spiritual warfare and the Muslims in the world, follow Islam, which is totally opposed to The Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, the true and living God. They seeks to subjugate or KILL Christians and Jews who refuse to convert to Islam. Their religion states there are but three options for Christian infidels: convert to Islam, become a slave or be killed for your faith in Jesus (Which option do you suggest the people of your congregation choose?).
That is what this is actually all about, not the “moderate Muslim line we are being fed here in the United States and which you are wickedly allowing them to foist on your congregation. They understand that what Islam really teaches = kill or subjugate the infidels (which is the Islam being practiced throughout the world) will not “fly” here in the USA so they are actively presenting a “modified”, “moderate” form of Islam for mass consumption here in America.
The above may not be "politically correct", it may not "fit" the "seeker sensitive", "non-confrontational" model Willow Creek and the Saddle Back Church is following because you all don't want to "offend". the sensibilities of your congregations but it is the truth. The sooner you wake up act upon these facts and tell your people the truth instead of trying to re-write the facts ala Orwell's "1984", the better.
At this point, I do not know who or what you are following, (although the god of one's own imagination comes to mind).
As for me and my family, we will follow and serve the Lord, God of Israel and His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dr. S
From reading the article my guess is that they have had that type of "visitor"..It mentioned something about special programs and that the congegation already knew the Muslims
Christ did not build his Church on compromise!
That's actually the same feeling I get whenever I start to watch "Frazier." It's the weirdest thing--I just cannot sit in front of that show for more than a few seconds without the feeling you describe.
(I am not kidding.)
My impression of many of these so-called "nondenom megachurches" is that they are big businesses masquerading as churches. The product they sell is entertainment under the guise of religion.
Dr. S
We agree..must fill the seats..it is all about marketing..ala Jimmy Baker and Pat Robertson
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a different gospel -- not that there is another gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, If any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed." -- Galatians 1:6-9
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