Should Christians Attempt to Convert Iraqi Muslims? (article also has a poll to FReep)

about.com ^ | 5/29/03 | Charles Henderson

[ppaul]

A Second Invasion Is Underway

Numerous Christian missionary groups are planning a second "invasion" of Iraq, armed not with smart bombs and rockets, but with humanitarian assistance, preaching and teaching in the name of Christ, in an attempt the "save Iraqi souls." To many Iraqis this smacks of a new Crusade, however well intentioned the 21st Century missionaries may be ... and some are not all that well intentioned. For example, Franklin Graham, who leads one such group that is heading to Iraq has called Islam "a very evil and wicked religion." Jerry Vines, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, which is sending aid and missionaries, has said the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was "a demon-possessed pedophile."

Reports of such comments are spreading throughout the Middle East. In fact, some evangelicals are so concerned that they have pleaded with Graham and others to stop making such inflammatory statements about Islam. There is genuine concern that such comments may actually place the lives of well intentioned humanitarian workers at risk.

Beliefnet, an interfaith Web site, published a poll among evangelical Christians recently that indicated a hefty majority of those surveyed describe Islam as "a religion of violence," and 81 percent say it is "very important" to convert Muslims.

Others sharply disagree. For example, Walter Brueggemann, a nationally known Christian Bible scholar, theologian and writer, believes that sending Christian missionaries to Iraq smacks of Western imperialism.

"I think it is exactly the wrong time and the wrong place," he recently told the Baptist Press News. "I don't care what they say, what they're after is to impose their faith on that culture. In the best of times, that's insensitive, and in the worst of times it's just absurd."

Is the attempt on the part of Christians to convert the Muslims of Iraq "absurd" as Brueggemann believes, or is it simply carrying out the will and word of Almighty God as Franklin Graham and others insist?

What do you think? Pkease visit our poll and share your views on this topic with others.

Should Christians Attempt to Convert Iraqi Muslims?

[ppaul]

Jerry Vines...has said the prophet Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was "a demon-possessed pedophile."

Bwaaaaaaahhhaaaahhh!!!
Well, what is the truth?
Is Vines right?

[Cedric]

What part of "Go into all the world...." doesn't Walter Brueggemann {apostate Bible scholar} understand?

[JusPasenThru]

The link didn't work. Fortunately Paul and Peter didn't take an opinion poll before they recorded their thoughts on the matter.

It's interesting. Any discussion about Christian evangelism always, always brings up these phrases: "Crusades", "Spanish Inquisition", "proselytism", "Holy War", "conquest", "christian soldiers", "Cortez and the Aztecs". I have a Jewish friend to whom I never verbally witness, and everytime I see him he manages to get these phrases in in the first five minutes.

[plain talk]

My experience is that it is largely a lost cause with cultural muslims. Iraq is an interesting mixture though. There's certainly plenty of "missionary" work to do right here in our own backyard. I salute those who would sacrifice all to try to save some in Iraq.

[rovenstinez]

You can't help these people by going along with the lies they've always believed! Wake up. What earthly 'good' has their 'faith' done to release their giftings, their idealism and their God Given callings?

[joesnuffy]

A man convinced against his will ..is of the same opinion still....Burma Shave

You cannot convert someone...to Christ..you can offer what you have but unless the Holy Spirit himself awakens the soul...no conversion will take place..

Jesus once said that "My sheep hear my voice.." and that those the Father had given into His hand will not be lost..and that no man can snatch them out of His hand...

It is right and fit that Americans minister to Iraqis for the Lord Himself said that in the Kingdom of God many will come from distant lands and sit at the Lambs supper...from all cultures from all walks of life..from every religous group...people will be converted by the Holy Spirit..

Those who are able to listen will ...and those who arent wont...no one can be converted against his will to Christianity...

A forced conversion at gun, knive, rape,slavery, or bomb point ...is for "other" religions...

[tame]

Should Christians Attempt to Convert Iraqi Muslims?

Of course.

[Cedric]

Votes for "evangelism" vs. "humanitarian aid" are about equal. It's hypocritical for Christians to offer temporal aid without offering eternal aid!

[Cedric]

How will they hear without a preacher, how will a preacher go lest he be sent?

[pawdoggie]

Great move. Tell the Iraqi people we're not at war with them or their religion. Then we win the war and send in Christian missionaries to show how good our word really was. If Christianity (or any religion other than Islam) is to take root in Iraq, it will be when freedom of speech, freedom of religion and other basic rights have been firmly established. Until that happens, there's no sense trying to convert anybody, you just end up creating a lot of bitterness, and a lot of Christian Martyrs.

[Cedric]

Freedom of speech and all other liberties decend from God. They are not granted by government.

[stboz]

No one can be made a Christian. There has to be first the desire. Kindness from the heart sets the example and leads the way.

Ol' Mo, well he ain't got any.

[Battle Hymn of the Republic]

My friends, I am convinced we are living in the "end" of the end times. It is a wonderful time to be on earth. I sure would not want to be here for the 7 years to follow.

All I can do is keep looking for Jesus.

Matthew 24:33 Just so, when you see the events I've described beginning to happen, you can know that my return is very near, right at the door.

34 I assure you, this generation will not pass from the scene before all these things take place.

[chuckles]

There are many that would respond to the Word, but they've never heard because it is verboten in Muslim lands. If there is truly freedom of religion, then Christians should be treated equaly with Muslims. Fat chance, but that is the principle. If Jesus is lifted up, He will draw all men. His Word will not come back void. Hindus, Muslims, and Jews, have all come to Jesus before, and they will continue, if they are His.

[Mike Darancette]

Should Christians Attempt to Convert Iraqi Muslims?

Yes, if the Christians believe it is their Calling to do so.

But it is not incumbent upon the USA to stand between those Christians and their probable martyrdom.

[bethelgrad]

Not excusing Christian atrocities, but you should remind your friend about some of the methods of conquest used by his Hebrew forefathers in the Old Testament (that is, if he's the sort of Jew who believes it is rooted in real events)

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Yes...he's right.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Of course we should seek to convert Muslims...as we'd convert anyone else. Only we go armed with the Bible, not machetes and bombs.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

Should Christians Attempt to Convert Iraqi Muslims?
Yes, it's the only way they'll get to heaven.
104 votes (35%)
No, it's arrogant to presume Christianity is preferable to Islam.
56 votes (19%)
Christians should offer humanitarian assistance, not preaching.
98 votes (33%)
None of the above and I'll tell you why.
38 votes (13%)


As you can see, this poll is rigged in favor of some agenda, not Christianity. And there is no place to say why unless you join the chat room.

[LiteKeeper]

You mean there are some poeple in this world that Jesus did not die for?