Posted on 06/03/2003 8:54:13 AM PDT by Believer 1
To: Friends
From: Gary L. Bauer President American Values
Date: Monday, June 2, 2003
Christian Terrorism?
It took the Washington Post less than 48 hours to link accused Olympic bomber Eric Rudolph with Christianity. This is the same Washington Post that downplays the growing evidence that the Washington, D.C. snipers were driven by their Islamic faith. An article on page 3 of the Post this morning, under the headline, "Is Terrorism Tied to Christian Sect?" heavily quotes Professor James Aho of Idaho State University. Professor Aho tells the Post that if Christians take umbrage at the juxtaposition of the words "Christian" and "terrorist," "that may give them some idea of how Muslims feel when they constantly hear the term 'Islamic terrorism.'" Professor Aho goes on to assure us that "every major world religion has people who have appropriated the label of their religion in order to legitimize their violence."
Is the professor really this ignorant? Assuming Eric Rudolph committed these crimes, he cannot find one word in the teachings of Christ to justify them. Nor will he find any theological leader of any branch of Christianity willing to defend his criminal conduct. No Christian neighborhoods burst into celebration at the news of the bombings. Nor are Christian children being taught that if Rudolph had died in his attacks he would be a "martyr" welcomed into heaven.
The contrast with radical Islamic teachings couldn't be more stark. Each terrorist act against Christians and Jews by those acting in the name of Islam is excused by countless Islamic leaders, theologians, imams, and philosophers. Schools are named after jihad bombers. And there are plenty of verses in the Koran cited to justify the murderous attacks of Islamic "warriors." Do you see the difference, Professor Aho?
Seems like there's always something to divide people and prevent them from uniting against a common enemy. During the Crusades it was petty rivalries between nations, kings and feudal lords. In modern America it's polictical correctness that keeps the majority in a fearful state of mind over what the minority thinks. The ancient Luciferian war cry, "Divide and Conquer" is always at work.
Would you care to produce ANY proportional symmetry to your frivilous and absurd analogy?
Of course the circle of Muslims you "know" are stupid enough to confide to you any such revelations?
" It is a lesson for us to learn, I believe. While some Muslims are terrorists, they are as small a minority as the minority of self-proclaimed Christians who are terrorists or who foment violence in the name of their religion."
Gee -- thanks Mr. Rogers for the spiel on 'bad people are just bad people -- no matter WHO they are.'
BTW -- on your next trip to Muslim land, please make sure you're not dangling anything resembling a Cross -- It might get you killed.
Garbage post. You cannot be Christian in name only like Rudolph, his bizarre sect and his ilk: "On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'
So throwing out isolated Biblical verses is a useless labor, the Bible must be taken in its entirety or else you abuse its contents for your own purposes; even Satan tried this treachery by quoting Scripture to Jesus, but Jesus put him in his place telling Satan that "man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God", (Mathew 4:4). Any fruitloop, fringe gang of thugs can unite under the banner of a Christian name and quote from the Bible, but this in no wise makes them any part of the Christian Church, or true followers of Christ. Jesus warned His true followers that there would "false prophets" and "wolves in sheeps clothing" who would try to destroy His Church,(Mathew 7:15). The Bible also tells us that true Christians are of "one body, one spirit, one calling, one faith, and one baptism", (Ephesians 4: 4-5). Since Jesus' days when He walked the earth there have been literally hundreds of heretical sects, who applied some, or many, teachings of Christianity but added or subtracted other teachings and doctrines, and all of these sects, (such as gnostics, Arians, Cathars, Manichees, etc, etc), have been condemned in the Councils over the centuries as 'ravenous wolves in sheep's clothing',, namely, heretics who usurp the name 'Christian'. This too was foretold in Scripture, (2 John 1:9 )
Yes, Rudolph belongs to a fringe group which I abhor. Yes, I believe they are scripturally corrupt. I'd even go so far as to say they are not Christian.
The point I have been trying to make ad naseum, is a verse or set of verses can be taken IN or OUT of context to justify virtually any action in Christianity AND Islam.
The "All Muslims are evil" crowd need to take a look in the mirror, which this Rudolph case allows, and see if they may be a tad hypocritical. The "good" Muslims have been saying those that practcice violence in the name of Islam are NOT following Islam, just as you are saying that those who use violence an race hatred are NOT practicing Christianity.
The premise is difficult to embrace because it requires some people to acknowledge a flaw in their thinking, but it can be a very healthy exercise to avoid condeming entire groups of people practicing a religion different than yours.
I hope I have made myself clear as to my primary point. This is not a doctrinal debate by rather a human nature problem; namely overgeneralizing.
The reason why nobody will accept your premise is that Islam's holy book, the koran, teaches violence against Jews and Christians. In fact, it actually blesses this violence and elevates Muslims to the level of "martyr" who die trying to kill Christians and Jews. Some Mohammedans who have left that insane 'relgion' have even written that they left because they felt the Koran was nothing more than a manual for war, or a manual for terrorism and killing. Conversely, no matter how many whackos try to link themselves with Christianity, it is impossible to do so when they kill unjustly, allegedly, "in the name of Jesus". The New Testament is crystal clear throughout in this matter. Jesus forgave His murderers even as they nailed him to a cross, (Luke 23: 34). Jesus commanded "love thy neighbor", (Luke 10:27). The Fifth Commandment "THOU SHALT NOT KILL". Jesus said we must forgive those who harm us "seven times seventy times", (Mathew 18: 21-2). Jesus taught us to turn our other cheek to those who do violence to us, (Mathew 5:38). I could go on and on, but I believe I have made my point. The Koran teaches violence and hostility to those who will not convert, the Christian Bible teaches its followers to love their neighbor and even their enemy.
Christianity underwent a period of enlightenment where some radical changes were made to the belief systems.
Islam is still waiting for this reformation, but there are those trying, especially here in the U.S.
You have a myopic view of history if you believe that Christianity has not been used to justify violence on a mass scale in the past. This is not an attempt at moral equivalence but a simple statement of historical fact.
Islam is just about 500 years behind.
Firstly, Turkey isn't quite a Muslim theocracy, is it? Have you tried dangling that shiny cross in Saudi Arabia? Kuwait?
Secondly, and with all due respect, it isn't that I don't believe you -- I do -- but is it possible you had mistaken "friendliness" for "respect"? And any "friendliness" doesn't for a moment entitle you to the inner-most thoughts of an Moslem. I think by now we ALL are familiar with the Koran and its mandated hostility toward ANY non-Moslems. Unfortunately, the evidence of this fact the world over is overwhelming.
Lets hope it happens and is very painful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.