Spell checker says that is OK.
By golly, spell checker DOES say it's ok!!! 
Posted on 05/31/2004 9:00:49 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
KHOBAR, Saudi Arabia, May 31 (Reuters) - A Christian Arab who was held captive by al Qaeda militants in Saudi Arabia said on Monday he lied to them about his faith and praised their battle against the West, to save his life.
Nizar Hajazeen, a Jordanian software businessmen who was at the Tower hotel in the Oasis compound during the 25-hour drama in Khobar, said the militants lectured him about Islam and their aim to liberate Saudi Arabia from "infidels and crusaders".
The complex where the militants held about 50 foreigners -- including some Westerners -- was their last target in the violence in the eastern Saudi oil city in which they killed at least 22 people.
Hajazeen, 32, had tried to call a cab to go to work on Saturday but the phone lines were jumbled.
"I went down and the Filipino receptionist told me there were terrorists in the compound and gunshots were heard," he told Reuters.
He tried to help security guards close the hotel entrance gate but the lock did not work and a manager recommended he hide, Hajazeen said.
"I went to the room of a Jordanian colleague. Someone banged violently on the door. We opened and there were two men, one with a machinegun, another with a revolver. They were wearing black track suits," he said, adding that one had a wounded arm.
Both were in their twenties.
"They asked us if we were Arab or Westerners. We told them: 'We're Arab'.
"One then asked if I was a Christian or a Muslim. I told him we were Muslims and showed him my colleague's Koran as proof. I told him we supported them and that we were against America and Europe. I had to say that."
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"
Residents of the compound said the attackers asked everyone they encountered if they were Muslim or Christian, before taking them hostage or killing them.
An Oasis manager said the gunmen shot and killed several Westerners as soon as they entered the complex.
The gunmen made two Indian hotel staff with master keys show them where the Westerners were, Hajazeen said.
His brother called him on his mobile phone to wish him a happy birthday -- a day late -- just as the militants were saying their motive was to drive Americans and Christians from their country.
"They asked me to turn off my mobile but did not take it away as they did with others," Hajazeen said, adding that they told him and his colleague to stay in the room and left.
"We stayed locked in our room. One of us was hiding in the shower, another one was hiding in the bathtub," Hajazeen said, adding that from time to time they sneaked back into the bedroom to watch the news on television.
He said that before commandos freed them on Sunday, compound security guards called his mobile to ask him to check if the militants had rigged his floor with explosives. He found nothing.
"Before the commandos came, there was heavy gunfire and one explosion shook the hotel. We could hear glass being smashed, screams... It sounded like someone was giving out orders."
Saudi security forces later called them out, saying: "Do not be scared."
Making his way to freedom he saw the bodies of four Indians and an Italian cook.
"They had been shot dead. Some were on the staircases."
We all know what Peter did: being human, his fear prompted him to lie and "deny" being a follower of Jesus. He then went and begged forgiveness (important step for a human).
Being a true believer, forgiveness was granted and today he sits at Jesus' right hand in heaven.
And wasn't he used greatly after that also, giving testimony at the temple shortly thereafter, and many were converted, like 3,000 or something? So he was not only forgiven, but greatly used? In fact, all throughout the New Testament, isn't it shown how many great men and women (and remember the prostitute in the OT who hid Israel and lied to the enemy) committed great sins and were still greatly used? I thought that was a main theme of the New Testament, Grace and Forgiveness.
It's the proper spelling.
So what's the story, really... ?
If you or I denied Christ before men, I don't think that the result of the special case you cite would apply to us.
I'm chuckling here. Funny!
The reverse is also true.
This guy has just lost his eternal life. He'd better enjoy this one.
What happened to Judge not lest ye be judged or let he who is without sin cast the first stone? I think God expects us to be human.
I thought you could deny Christ three times before the cock crows and still become a Saint! Must have misread the Bible on that one.
lol
If you could loose eternal life, then it wouldnt be eternal would it ?
You say he is going to hell, yet ignore that Peter did the same thing.
What the Jordanian decided to do is very sad.
By golly, spell checker DOES say it's ok!!!
I agree! Thankyou!
I hope that God will give me the strength if i ever have to face that kind of a situation.
If he didn't lie and told the truth of his Christianity, he would be in heaven as a martyr.
I suppose that life on earth here was more appealing at the time. :o(
Here is the first-hand account of how Jesus deals with those who deny Him before men...
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.
19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me."
This is the love of God, that He gave Peter three chances to right that which he did wrong - three chances to do what is good and holy. The opposite of denying God is to FEED HIS SHEEP. Are we doing that?
According to this scripture, we are denying God if we do not feed his sheep. The sheep are hungry - some will falter without nourishment. Will we feed them, or will we condemn them for their hunger?
What will the Shepherd say when he returns?
Listen! All those here will be tested. Do not believe for a minute that your fate lies within you. Rather, it lies in the hands of a loving and just God - the very God who shall give us a chance to right the wrongs we ourselves have inflicted upon others and Him. We will be tested; may God have mercy on all of us...
JOHN, CHAPTER 21, NEW TESTAMENT
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