Inside the Muslim Mind

Family Voice ^ | February, 2002 | Tanya L. Green/Dr. Ergun Caner

[T Ruth]

Dr. Ergun Caner, 36, co-authored Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs (Kregel Publications) with his brother Emir. The son of a Turkish father and Swedish mother, Caner was raised in a strict Muslim home but converted to Christianity as a teen. An expert on Islam, he is a professor of theology and church history at Criswell College in Dallas, Texas.

Family Voice: What had you been taught about Christians as a child?

Dr. Caner: That Christians hated Muslims, that they were at war with Muslims.

How did your perception change?

A [Christian] friend's testimony led me to attend his church. Love was the vehicle. [The people there] were gracious. They were sweet. They were kind. They were respectful of my clothing and my accent. It went against everything I had been taught about American Christianity. I felt I had been lied to.

Will you briefly explain the Muslim mindset?

A Muslim fears the scales. You could be a good Muslim and go to hell if you die with more evil on your scales than good. Only one thing erases the evil, and that is martyrdom in jihad [holy war]. It is promised in the Koran.

What was the Muslims' reaction to the September 11 attackes?

Most Muslims in America were genuinely shocked. The reason is that in America, jihad is theory. In the Midle East, and in my culture, it is a daily occurrence.

Is Islam peaceful?

Islam cannot be peaceful because conquest is inherent in its nature. There is a sense of militarisitc conquest that proves Allah is greater. Muslims desire to conquer Christians. That is what they believe. The [Muslim] leaders . . . are trying to push their agenda, which is that Islam is a religion of peace. [The attacks are] a public relations nightmare for them.

How can Christians minister to Muslims?

Christians have to respond in love, because [Muslims] expect retribution. They expect hatred. They don't understand when we return love for hatred.

[T Ruth]

This is a challenging article. They were sweet. They were kind. They were respectful of my clothing and my accent.

[The Cuban]

Is Islam a Satanic Religion? It seems to be the only religion left in the modern world, that has a god that has to be appeased by blood. If only Europeans had the cojones that the Conquistadors used to have. As a Hispanic, my people have a great histroy of beating back the Muslim scourge. That is why I love Queen Isabella. My last name actually was given to our family in the glorious reconquest.

[wretchard]

"It went against everything I had been taught about American Christianity. I felt I had been lied to."

This is also a telling remark. A lot of Freepers (myself included) forget that the field of "hearts and minds" is a legitimate battlefield, where victory is essential. One of the reasons that the Special Forces are so effective is that they have weapons other than guns. We ought to learn how to convey to Islamists that we are people just like them; that we can swap stupid jokes, go bowling and have our kids run around firing water pistols. That we can be true friends, and no kidding.

For the nutcases, of all religions, other weapons may be appropriate.

[Bobby777]

good post bump

[SouthernFreebird]

****Christians have to respond in love, because [Muslims] expect retribution....... And we should not let them down. If this was true then where are all the Muslims who live in the US and know better? why are they not shouting to their 'fellow Muslims' that their idea of america/christians is wrong? They have been embrased and welcomed here and their mindset has not changed, I fail to see how loving them a little bit harder will make any difference. Time to fight this evil satanic religion.

[PoisedWoman]

my people have a great histroy of beating back the Muslim scourge. That is why I love Queen Isabella.

It's fascinating history, and I long to visit Southern Spain to get a sense of it. And don't forget that Ferdinand and Isabella also sent out Columbus and his little discovery of the New World was the greatest in history.

Can you suggest a book about Isabella? Do you have a favorite?

[BLASTER 14]

I like your idea, but how do you propose we put it into effect?

[wretchard]

The way the Special Forces put it into effect. We learn about them we tell em about us; we go to picnics and just --stuff. Just the regular stuff.

If nothing else, you will get Intel back from this, just as the Special Forces do. If we get into every Muslim home in America as friends, we will not only dry up the support base of the Jehadists, we will also turn every potential Osama ally into a possible FBI informer. But most important of all, we may make it possible to resolve this crisis with minimum bloodshed, possibly over a few beers or lemonades as the case may be.

[A Ruckus of Dogs]

It's fascinating history, and I long to visit Southern Spain to get a sense of it.

Southern Spain has some gorgeous architecture left from the Arab period. They were built in the days when the Arab civilization was at it's height. It is certainly worth a visit.

But don't go in June-August. It gets very hot.

[Capt. Tom]

I think your post #5 has it right. Christians like DR Caner are like sheep compared to wolves. There is nothing wrong with wolves killing sheep. It is the natural order of things.

So with Dr. Caner's basically "Can't we all get along attitude, and love one another " I say no we can't all get along. That's the natural order of things. If you want to set your self up as a victim don't blame the wolves or the followers of Allah. They are entitled to their God. - Tom

[Highcard2U]

Why then are Hispanics becoming soooo chummy with the Muslims? It's like the two are joined at the hip, brain, groin and everything in between.

[T Ruth]

I admire the spirit of the Spaniards who fought for 700 years to reconquer their land. I have read that Spain is the only sizeable land area which has been reconquered from Islam.

I think that wretchard in ## 3 and 8 has hit the proper balance, at least for what we should do here in the U.S. at this time. It is simple, but not easy. I do not feel like being kind and compassionate to Muslims.