I would say that they are inconsistent Moslems, which is a better thing to have than more militant Islam. But even then but I'm not sure I want more lapsed Moslems, because even lapsed Moslems can use democratic means to advance Islam, and I can't seem to get over my loathing of the notion of submitting to religious and dietary laws of seventh century Arabia, or paying extra tax for refusing to be so subjected. As a thought experiment, though, what do you think would happen if Moslems gained a majority power in the United States?
Christ obviously can use means He sees fit to accomplish His purposes, and I would hope that more Moslems will turn to Him. In some Islamic countries they face a death penalty for converting, and in other places moderate Moslems will still reject and ostracize members of their own families who do reject Islam.
You are right that in some ways the values of two different civilizations are in fundamental conflict. I think we as Christians need to remember that on a higher level, it's not just about military, cultural or ideological battles; we need to be aware that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Again, I appreciate your very fine and thoughtful article.
Cordially,
As a matter of fact, the Ottoman Empire had a pretty good, by contemporary standards, record of religious tolerance. All the Istambul wanted was taxes and civil order. The minorities had to demonstrate that they have an ability to maintain order and they were allowed worship in the manner they chose. Greater intolerance was at times exhibited by the local Christians. When Bulgarians wanted a national Orthodox church, the Pasha asked them to settle their dispute with the Greeks, who were an established Christian church, -- he was amused by such Christian disunity and alarmed that the existing order be disrupted by ethnic tension. "Why can't you pray in Greek if you pray to the same God?"