Posted on 08/27/2006 3:53:25 PM PDT by sionnsar
I just learned of the release of the two kidnapped reporters, Steven Centanni Olaf Wiig, in Gaza. We thank God for their release and safety. They reported that they were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint and they complied.
The implications of this are profound. A Christian who says any statement against Christ (be it coerced or not) has committed the sin of apostasy. "But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven." Matt 10:33.
The Chronicles of the first 500 years of Christianity testify that this was the gravest sin known to man, far worse than sodomy, adultery, murder, etc. because it is a direct act of blasphemy against Christ. It is forgivable, but it is the worst sin because one denies the very channel and mode of forgiveness and salvation, that is Christ Himself.
But my worries are that most Western Christians see no problem with this. "Oh, they didn't really mean it. They were a gunpoint!" All the early martyrs were at "gunpoint," and they refused to speak against Christ, affirm the gods, or confess Caesar as "Lord." St Paul could have "tricked" his persecutors and continued to evangelize the world by getting out of jail free if he had just said to Nero (if even he didn't mean it in his heart), "Yeah, yeah, Nero. You are the Lord. I won't be a Christian anymore." But St Paul did not do this. He refused to act or speak against Christ and instead he bore his neck and allowed his head to be cut off for the glory of Christ. And his witness was magnified.
Everything we do matters. Every single thing and our witness to the world, our evangelism, depends on our steadfast testimony to Christ at all times in all places. If the Muslim sees that we are not willing to die for Christ they will not see that Christ is worth living for.
So you are willing to have your head hacked off by these lunatics so you can be a blip on their vile internet site and on Al Jazeera. I prefer to be ALIVE to fight and destroy these evil, evil men who are an affront to the Judeo-Christian ethic and to all decent people. You beat them by staying alive.
That is not an accurate depiction of what Maimonedes said. That statement (living by the law) only goes to issues other than - idolatry, adultery and murder.
I think that under Jewish law a Jew would not be allowed to do what Centanni did.
Maimonides wrote about Jews forced to convert to Islam in the 12th century in Spain when the Almohades invaded forcing him to flee the country. He wrote that conversion was a bad thing even to save your life BUT THAT YOU WOULD BE FORGIVEN if you made an effort to return to Judaism.
"touch the hearts of their captors?" These people have no hearts!
Yes. Maimonedes was a great man and understood the pressures to deny their religion put on Jews by both Muslims and Christians (Spain, Yemen). He did not want the Jews who succombed to these pressures to be ousted from the community. He wanted to encourage their return. Judaism, contrary to some perceptions, is a very forgiving religion.
But that does not change the basic fact that under Jewish law it is not permitted to deny your faith.
If I had to rate my preferences, having my head hacked off would a distant third behind 1) stomping these vermin into the dirt and living happily ever after and 2) taking a few along with me.
here ya go *ping*
The new terms for terrorist attacks and kidnaps are: “incident” and “little discouragement.”
Maimonides believed that if you attempt to return to Judaism and even practice a little bit (with the intention of returning to the fold when the time is right) you will be forgiven. Rabbis took the Maimonidean position vis a vis the marranos in the 15th and 16th centuries.
I agree with your description. But being forgiven does not mean it is okay to do. Maimonedes stressed that people should leave, even though it meant great risk and sacrifice, rather than stay and convert.
I am not judging these men since I have never been in their place nor is it my place.
I heard the Centanni interview on Fox the other night. I am sure he does not consider himself a member of the "religion of peace".
Now they're in trouble. Even if they weren't Christians (and thus committed no blasphemy by converting), even if they didn't really mean to convert to Islam but only went through the motions under duress, the MOSLEMS regard the conversions as valid - and the penalty for apostasy is fatwa issuing a DEATH sentence.
Christians fight when we must, and have the means to, for a just cause. Our most powerful weapon is our faith. To give it up is to give up the fight for God's truth in this world. "These people" are also human with hearts, despite how badly they've been led to believe they must kill or "convert" others. The Holy Ghost may enter any human heart given the slightest opening. Seeing the courage of a Christian who won't lay down his weapon in the fight against evil may be that slight opening.
Lots of luck. I just think that when they execute Jews and Christians for being what they are, there is no hope for them. These people are blinded by their crazy religious belief and by hatred. They do not care - and in fact - encourage children to blow themselves up. Even the nutty Nazis didn't tell their kids to become suicide bombers (so far as I know).
They did not "give up their faith" - what they did is like crossing your fingers when you say something to save yourself or to help another person. Would you have liked to have seen a video of their heads on a platter?
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.