5 Ways to Cultivate a Crippling and Irrational Fear of Muslims

by · June 23, 2010

Hajj pilgrim at prayer in al-Haram Mosque in Mecca.

Hajj pilgrim at prayer in al-Haram Mosque in Mecca. Photo by Ali Mansuri.

On September 11, 2001, I walked out of my classroom at Mesa Community College and saw a group of people huddled around a television. The TV was about 15 feet away from me. Little did I know that those 15 feet would be the first steps on my journey to becoming a peacemaker. You can read about it here.

I wish I could say that I was level- headed; that I patiently waited for the facts to unfold, and that I didn’t jump to quick conclusions. But, that wasn’t the case. I began ranting about revenge, expressing a syncretistic faith that was strange mix of nationalism and Christian clichés.

Fortunately, God used the loving rebuke of good friends to lead me to repent of my unloving attitudes and embrace this peacemaking journey. This journey has landed me in the homes of Saudis, Iranians, Pakistanis, Lebanese, Palestinians, and more.  Some people are afraid of these places. My only fear is that I will get cavities from all of the sugary tea I drink.

As sweet as the tea is, I’ve developed even sweeter friendships with many Muslims. True, we have theological disagreements. They want me to become a Muslim and I want them to follow Jesus. However, our mutual respect for each other has created a good context for fruitful dialogue.

I would encourage you to choose the road of gospel-centered peacemaking, but if you would rather be bitter and afraid, I’ve sarcastically compiled a list of five things you can do to cultivate a crippling and irrational fear of Muslims. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.

1. Read lots of “End Times” Fiction

That’s right. Fill your bookshelves with Left Behind books and your walls with strange “End Times” charts. The more newspaper clippings you can add to your chart, the better. Start making predictions about when the rapture will happen, speculating about the anti-Christ, and stocking your cupboards with canned foods (for the tribulation, of course). Soon enough, you will be very afraid.

2. Shape your worldview around email forwards from your crazy Uncle Howard

You may not have an Uncle Howard, but everyone has that distant relative or friend from high school whose goal in life is to forward the latest conspiracy theory to the masses. If you read the Bible or listen to wise people, they will lead you to a loving, nuanced, view of the world and God’s redemptive plans. Therefore, if you really want to fear Muslims, let your worldview be shaped by the crazy emails that talk about Obama’s secret Muslim agenda or how France will soon be the next Islamic Republic. Just be sure to forward the email to 10 friends, or else…

3. Love Politics More Than God

Gotta be honest, I’m politically fickle. I bounce back and forth from center-right to center-left like a ping-pong ball.  I’m not the best guy to take advice from, but I do know that Scripture teaches that government is a good thing, but not the ultimate thing. If you are going to cultivate crippling fear in your life, then you need to make politics your “everything”. You need to view your political ideology as your savior and your favorite news pundits as your prophets. Soon enough, your daily devotions will be 30 minutes of the oh-so-edifying political talk radio. Your life will certainly lack joy, but you will have plenty of fear to fill in the gap.

4. Don’t befriend Muslims

If you want to be afraid of Muslims, then I wouldn’t recommend becoming friends with them. Muslims typically make great friends and this might confuse your black and white categories. Befriending them might result in humanizing them or even appreciating them. That would truly thwart your plans to fear them.

5. Selectively Read Your Bible

The Bible is filled with pesky commands about loving your neighbors, being a peacemaker, not being filled with fear, welcoming foreigners into the land, and thinking about issues with wisdom. So, if you want to continue in your fear of Muslims, then you will want to avoid these Scriptures. The problem is, the Bible is filled with them. The only way to maintain your status as a Muslim-fearer, will be to either not read your Bible at all (just get audio sermons from you crazy uncle Howard) or limit your reading to isolated verses that are out of context and obscure passages that are highly debated.

The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear. Frankly, I think the reverse is true as well: Perfect fear casts out love.  Fear and love are like oil and water, like peanut butter and guacamole, like the Los Angeles Clippers and winning. They just don’t go together. In this interconnected world, we face an important choice. Will we pimped by the proponents of fear or gripped by the love of God in Christ?

Filed Under: Advocacy, Culture

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  • http://www.twitter.com/timdan Tim Allen

    So good!

    I definitely appreciated your sarcasm. What makes sarcasm effective is when it's true, and you are spot on! I appreciate your heart, and what you do!

  • http://twitter.com/visualpeace Mario Mattei

    Jim, you nailed it! Thanks for speaking out, brother.

  • waynomiller

    I'm in complete agreement.

  • Ducky

    Amazing.

    Jim, would you mind if I shared this around, linking back to this site?

  • http://www.shrinkthechurch.com SHRINK the church

    Ducky – the main point of this site is to share the stuff! ;)

  • http://www.peace-catalyst.net Michael Ly

    great job my friend

  • Cody

    Great job, Jim! I love every part of this. Your journey's inspiring all of us!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1052046464 Carl McPherson

    I'm not so sure a healthy fear is irrational.

    Here is Anjem Choudary who is an Islamic leader talking about his own religion. Should probably go to the source to form a proper opinion right?

    http://tinyurl.com/Anjem-Choudary

    How about historical evidence? My momma always said… “Actions speak louder than words”.
    A Theopolitical Belief System, 1300 years of Muslim war against everyone that is non-Muslim (it's time to dig into history and learn that this fear of Muslims has been going on for 1300 years because the Quron leads this religion to this way of life.

    http://tinyurl.com/Theopolitical-Belief-System

    So.. they're peaceful -within- their religion right? The only real problem is when they conflict with other religions. So if you are a Muslim then you won't have to worry about the violence. Well.. except if you cross them in any way, or you are a woman.

    Here is an article about them killing a 7 year old boy because they said he was spying for the United States in Afghanistan.

    http://tinyurl.com/Taliban-Execute-7-Year-Old

    Or how about the way they treet all women?

    Do not watch the following video if you get sick watching the mutilation of women by a peaceful religion.

    http://tinyurl.com/Mutilation-of-Women-by-Muslims

    Well.. if you're not a little boy in Muslim or a woman, then maybe you will see the peace of the Muslim religion.

    Surely though now if you are a Jew.

    Here is a video from Cleveland Ohio of a religion of peace singing songs about the Army of Muhammad returning to kill all the jews, notice the main chorus of the song is all about swimming and crawling through blood.

    http://tinyurl.com/Praises-of-Killing-All-Jews

    Here are the Lyrics of this peaceful song:

    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Hey hey hey, hey hey hey.
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    Khaibar, Khaibar, O Jews.
    The Army of Muhammad will return
    We will crawl and fight.

    With our blood, we will fight.
    We will crawl and fight.
    With our blood we will fight.
    Ah, Ah.
    You will not cross over my blood, over my blood.
    You will not live in my homeland, in my homeland.
    You will not cross over my blood, over my blood.
    You will not live in my homeland, in my homeland.
    Death to you…under the ground,
    and glory to us above the ground.
    Death to you under the ground,
    and glory to us above the ground.
    ***

    Not just a popular song about killing Jews here in America, it's an equal opportunity song of peace. The video below is of Muslim Terrorists singing it on the Flotilla ambush to Gaza about a month ago.

    http://tinyurl.com/Gaza-Flotilla-Song

    I work with a man from India and he is on an International Religious Study Organization. He and the organization travel all over the world studying different religions. The Hindu religion is very accepting of other beliefs and they pull in many ideas of other religions to include in their own. So they are fascinated and VERY open minded about other religions because they are looking for things to enhance and include in their own beliefs.

    My friend though says he is confused by the Muslim Religion because it is all about hate, killing those that do not come to the Muslim faith and is filled with Violence.

    Not my words, but the words of someone that follows a religion that accepts all others and seeks for peace and understanding between all peoples of the world.

    I should probably wrap this up.

    Now for my personal feelings.

    I will pray for everyone, even members of the Muslim religion. My heart breaks for anyone that does not have a relationship with Christ. I will try to share Gospil of Christ with everyone I meet in this world. Most people shrug it off and don't want to risk changing a life they feel comfortable with right now. Some are receptive. But I share the Gospil of Christ and then I don't worry about it. It's up to the Holy Spirit and that person to take action or not. It's my job to share the plan of salavation and the Love of Christ… not to brainwhash or browbeat them into a relationship with Christ.

    But.. when it comes to the Muslim religion there is an immediate and certain conflict which can result in the loss of my and my families life. Will this stop me from sharing the love of Christ? No, but I'm not naive enough to believe there is no threat there either.

    I think it is important to know what you believe. Do you really believe that “The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ?” If so, you can have relationships and friendships of people with other religions. I have no issues like that at all. It's between them and God.. not me – them – and God.

    But I have to ask why there is such a pressure to ignore litterally 1300 years of proven violence to the core of the Muslim religion? Is the objective an all encompasing melting pot of all religions so everyone can play friendly in the sandbox?

    I would profess that reality has escaped you if you belive the Muslim faith will accept you in any fashion if you do not convert to the Muslim faith. They are instructed to kill you if you do not convert.

    I don't know why it's required to prove that the sky is blue. We're in an upside down world where up is down and left is right. But be careful, you might be labeled as an “End Times” wackjob, or an islomofascist or some other term to demonize you for standing up for Character, Intergrity and for standing firm on your belief that the only way to the Father is through the saving Grace of Jesus Christ.

    Call me what you will, but I will Pray for all, share the love of Christ to all and I will stand up against lies and dishonesty whereever I see it.

  • Gman71187

    It's absolutely fantastic that you can find the time to be sarcastic regarding lives lost prior to, on 9/11 and post 9/11. Is that sarcastic enough for you? Having spent over a year in the middle east prior to 9/11, having my wife spend 2 years in the middle east, my sister in law 3 years and my niece 2 years we saw very little of the Muslims you speak of and must have missed out on all of the sweet tea you are referring to also.

    Why you say? Because we associated with 2 different crowds obviously. The 5 countries you referred to are completely run by people you will never sip tea with. They are run by the higher ups in palatial spots and then the orders are carried out by the rebels, soldiers, united front etc. away from the tea drinking places you speak of. The middle class where you hang out is just that, for the most part oblivious to what goes on around them or definitely unable to change or stand up against their surroundings.

    Does speaking the truth about Muslims regarding their beliefs, laws and general disregard toward the Jewish people make you “bitter and afraid” as you say?

    I'm sure you are a great person. I don't want to sound to harsh, but I am a proud AMERICAN! I would encourage friendship, dialog, dinners etc with anyone. I don't care if they have a different belief, political side or favorite team! I just don't want to have them leave and behind closed doors plan to annihilate me, my country, the Jewish community etc.

    I know I'm not planning or thinking about that then why are they?!? Not all of them I know but definitely the non sweet tea drinking people. (Sarcastic enough for ya?”)

  • http://www.shrinkthechurch.com SHRINK the church

    Here are some of Jim's comments concerning 9/11: http://vimeo.com/6532907

  • Jim Mullins

    Here's my response to the last two posts:

    I'm not disagreeing with you that some bad things have been done in the name of Islam. I would just contend that we can't put all Muslims in the same boat. There are some expressions of Islam that are more violent than others, some that are more peaceful than others. I believe that we need to put down the propaganda and think about this through the lens of a Biblical worldview and with a little more nuance.

    First of all, you brought up some pretty horrible things that people have done. I won't argue with the severity of those things. However, we must remember that people have done horrible things in the name of every ideology–Christianity (Crusades), Atheism (Killing fields in Cambodia), Zionism (Illegal settlements in the Palestinian territories), Nationalism (Holocaust) and Islam (9/11).

    What is the commonality of all evil? Is it an ideology? No. The problem is sin. That is where a Biblical worldview distinguishes itself from the tribalistic worldview that you propose. The Drama of Scripture starts off with God's good creation, with humans as the pinnacle of that creation. God beautifully made all of us in his image. Therefore, we must remember that Muslims are people made in God's image, just like you are. When we see them do good and admirable things, we know that the ultimate source of those things is God. Some of my closest friends are Muslims. We disagree theologically, but I really appreciate them, and I see God's creativity expressed through them.

    Unfortunately, sin came into the world and the world became a messed up, violent, and crazy place. Adam and Eve weren't too far from the garden when they had to grieve the fact that one son was a murderer and one son was murdered. Genocide, greed, prostitution, abuse, rape, lies, corruption, poverty and all other brokenness entered our world. The curse wasn't limited to geographic areas or certain ideologies, but spread to every aspect of creation, especially humans. Therefore, I attribute all of the messed up things that you mentioned, not to Islam per se, but to the devastation of the human condition. Muslims aren't the only people who kill people, sing ridiculous songs, and treat women poorly. Think uni-bomber, Lord's Resistance Army, the song “Onward Christian Soldiers”, and pornography.

    A tribalistic world view says, “my group is justified because we are better than that group”. A Biblical worldview says that we are all messed up, more than we can even imagine, but God has entered our world through Jesus. His life, death, and resurrection are God's loving means of rescuing and redeeming us.

    We also need to take into consideration things like economics, politics, and hermeneutics and how they relate to violence. The violence that we see coming out the Muslim world, or any part of the world for that matter, is complex and relates to a person's whole context.

    Economically speaking, poverty and violence are linked. When people go into survival mode, they often steal, kill, loot, and fight as a means of survival. Look at the Muslim world, much of the violence is coming from the impoverished countries (i.e. Somalia, Afghanistan, Pakistan). The same is true in America. There is a reason why you don't see drive-by shootings in the suburbs. That is why much of our peacemaking work needs to be in the form of economic development. By the way, one of the best thinkers about economic development is Muhammed Yunus, a Muslim Nobel Peace Prize winner. Wouldn't it be lame if all Muslims judged Christianity by the violence in poor African countries or Compton?

    Politics is another issue. Most of the violence that we see is politically motivated and has little to do with religion. For example, Saddam Hussein wasn't a practicing Muslim as much as a secular dictator. Many of the things that get labeled “Muslim violence” are actually expressions of nationalism or territorial conflicts (often created by post-colonial boundary blunders). Wouldn't it be lame if Muslims judged Christianity based on Guantanamo?

    Hermeneutically speaking, there are many schools of interpretation within Islam. Some groups, like Wahabbis, have a more violent interpretation. Others, like Eboo Patel, have a more peaceful interpretation. The same is true historically with Christianity. So-called-Christians have twisted the Bible to justify murder, slavery, the Crusades, Zionism, Klu Klux Klan, genocide, etc. Wouldn't it be lame if Muslims judged all Christians by the crazy interpretations of these groups?

    Finally, I want to share my experience. I've literally known hundreds of Muslims from various countries. I lived in the Muslim world for three years, have traveled to various countries within the Muslim world, worked with Muslims, and have spoken at Mosques. As I write, my eyes get a little teary when I reflect on some of the deep friendships I've had, and still have, with a few devoted Muslims. None of them have ever tried to kill me. Most have actually been pretty nice and admirable people. I even named my daughter after a Muslim doctor who saved my wife's life, twice. Some of my closest American friends live in Iraq, Pakistan, and other places in the Muslim world. They would say the same thing. So, if you had a bad experience, it might either be because you were in the military (just a guess) or were quoting some of the stuff that you quoted on you comment. You might want to reflect on why you had such a bad experience.

    Am I promoting Islam? No. I'm just obeying the Golden Rule to “do unto others”. Frankly, it frustrates me when some bitter Muslims try to discredit Christianity and America by making the same kind of hasty generalizations that you are making. Don't you realize that some Muslims promote similar YouTube videos, statistics, and anecdotes as you do? Except their version makes Christianity look evil. I don't think those things are honest, helpful, or wise.

    We need to be all about the gospel, sharing it near and far. However, the most important person we need to preach the gospel to is ourselves. Our religion doesn't need to have the most points, because Jesus' life was perfect. We don't need to fear death, because Jesus is risen!

  • http://twitter.com/jeremysprague Jeremy

    I think the most important thing to realize is that no matter how many good reasons we have to fear Muslims, history shows us where it leads. Fundamentalist Muslims really want Christians to respond in a way that frames any conflict as a religious war, and that's the last thing we should want.

    We need to remember that the Muslim religion is practiced by an incredible number of people. Were terrorism valued and supported by all Muslims or even half of Muslims, the incidents would be much, much higher than they are now. But, if we start confirming what the fundamentalists want their fellow Muslims to believe about Christians and the West, then support is going to grow. This is their goal.

    We need to keep any conflict in Muslim nations a secular one, and we need to show them Christ's influence in our lives by reacting with irrational love and moderation.

  • Sonia

    Jim,

    Seriously? You're comparing Onward Christian Soldiers with Muslim anthems of hate and violence? This hymn speaks of the Christian's daily battle against evil (satan) to reach souls for Christ, that they be saved. We must stand against evil and proclaim the Good News to everyone. What part of this hymn are you offended by? In Scripture the Second Coming refers to Jesus' return to earth, conquering Satan (Revelation 16:15-17 and 17:14) and reclaiming God's Kingdom with His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Zechariah 14:5; Jude 1:14).
    This hymn is about Jesus leading us to that final victory and rejoicing in eternal life with Him; it certainly is not a call to murder or destroy fellow human beings. C'mon! Dare to step outside your politically correct world.

    Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
    with the cross of Jesus going on before.
    Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
    forward into battle see his banners go!
    Refrain:
    Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
    with the cross of Jesus going on before.

    2. At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
    on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
    Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
    brothers, lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
    (Refrain)

    3. Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
    brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
    We are not divided, all one body we,
    one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
    (Refrain)

    4. Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
    but the church of Jesus constant will remain.
    Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
    we have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.
    (Refrain)

    5. Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
    blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
    Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
    this through countless ages men and angels sing.

  • http://www.mominterrupted.me Megan

    I do wonder if people viewed Christians during the Crusades the same way some Christians view Muslims during this time. Surely, Christians have a history of being just as violent and cruel, even toward women, as do some Muslims today. But surely as it was then, not all Christians participated in the Crusades, and not all Muslims participate in jihad (against America).

  • Jim Mullins

    Sonia,

    Thanks for speaking up. I accidentally typed the wrong name of the song. The song I meant to write is “I'm in the Lord's Army”. Here are the lyrics:

    I may never march in the Infantry, (march)
    Ride in the cavalry, (pretend you're riding a horse)
    Shoot the artillery. (point a rifle)
    I may never zoom o'er the enemy, (spread arms out and pretend to be a plane)
    But I'm in the Lord's Army. (point one finger up to God)
    I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!) (salute)
    I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)
    I may never march in the Infantry,
    Ride in the cavalry,
    Shoot the artillery.
    I may never zoom o'er the enemy,
    But I'm in the Lord's Army, (yes, sir!)

    Even though we know the intent of this song is supposed to be about spiritual warfare, certain Muslims could interpret this to be a literal Army, especially if people translated the language in a less than favorable way. Why might they interpret it that way? In the Crusades, soldiers marched into battle with big crosses on their shield. Ever since then, the cross has had a militant connotation among many Muslims. This is only exacerbated by the fact that certain political leaders have called the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan “crusades”. Then they hear about rifle scope's with Bible verses on them, soldiers who hand out Bibles, and preachers who make wild comments about the war. Believe it or not, there are many Muslims who are afraid that Christians want to take the world over by force. Now put yourself in their shoes and read the lyrics of “I'm in the Lord's Army” or even “Onward Christian Soldiers”. Wouldn't you interpret that to mean a literal “Army”?

    You and I know that the only battle we fight is with the demonic realm and with our own sin. However, some Muslims could look into our military metaphor and the history of some so-called-Christians and assume that we were militant.

    That is why I think we should be careful when interpreting statements from other religions' songs or statements. So much damage is done when we make assumptions and interpretations without depth of information. Again, I fully acknowledge that radicals and terrorists exist. They make hateful statements and songs. However, I just think we should take into consideration how easy it is to be misunderstood in light of cultural differences, biases, and language barriers. We Christians are frequently misunderstood by Muslims, and over the past few years, I've realized that we really misunderstand them as well.

    I have a friend who was invited to Iran in order to give a presentation about peacemaking. The crux of his message was “the cross as the key to peacemaking”. He graciously shared the good news to a room full of Iranian religious leaders. After his presentation, he was thanked by many. One person even said, “Thank you for sharing. I never knew that the cross had anything to do with forgiveness. I thought it meant 'Kill Muslims'”. Isn't it so sad that some Muslims think the cross is a symbol that means “kill Muslims”? It saddens me when beauty of Gospel is overshadowed by our polemic approach.

  • Scott Jr.

    A few weeks ago I spoke with the Imam of a local Muslim center. I asked him how he felt about people carrying out terrorist attacks such as 9/11 or suicide bombings. His response was, “those people are not Muslim.”
    As has been stated before, there are always people willing to use any ideology to push their corrupt and evil plans.

  • Tasmas04

    I find it amusing and yet somewhat alarming to read many of the younger peoples social justice posts telling us how wonderful they are and how silly everyone else is who doesn't agree with them. I find Jim's article to be extremely hypocritical as he points out what a great job he is doing being so tolerant and loving by belittling someone else who might have a different perspective. It must be really neat to be that smart.

  • Islam101

    Good one. And number 6, absolutely do not read my blog.

    http://islam1o1.wordpress.com/

  • http://www.drmomessentials.net Jenni @ DrMomEssentials.net

    Love it! Thanks for writing!

  • Solely4hisglory

    Wow. Thank you Mr. Mullins for taking the time to share the healthy truth of the Gospel, and heart of God. It's too easy to look at the world thru self centered glasses. I'm continually amazed at how the Lord, came to die for the sins of the whole world. And at the same time, He died for me, personally, for me. He died for me, when i didn't even believe in Him. He died for me, when i was offended by Him. He died for me, when i was in complete rebellion and opposition to everything that He is. He died for me, when i was yet His enemy. Jesus died for His enemies. When God looks at the world, He sees each person that He has made. He knows each person's first breath, first tear, first fear, first laugh, first first first first first… mind blowing. He doesn't look at a mass of indiscrimiate people, that He doesn't know. He sees people, all of whom He died for. It doesn't matter where you're at, who you're with, WHAT you've done, or even what you call yourself. Jesus saves individual souls. Remember, that “muslims”, people, souls, break it down, each individual person, for whom Jesus came. Same with aetheists, lutherans, catholics, agnostics, buddhists, jews, everybody… I always think of Saul, on the road to Damascus. He was self righteously, proudly, justifiably angrily, persecuting, and approving of the slaughtering of Christians, when the Lord God of Heaven, confronted him, in a vision. Why didn't God kill him? He would have been justified in doing so.. But God, confronted Him, called Saul by name, and had mercy on him, saved him, and gave him a new name. You see “Muslims”.. Jesus sees souls.. “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain.”

  • Ephesians527

    “Fight everyone in the way of Allah and kill those who disbelieve in Allah.” – Quote from the Hadith – This is the Muslim way.

    I do believe that your post is right on but, it must be understood that there is nothing radical about Jihadists. They are the true followers of the Muslim faith. The prophet Muhammad repeatedly calls for the death of all of those who are unbelievers. It's a stifling, anti-freedom, extremely violent religion in it's true form.

    I totally agree that we (as Disciples of Christ) need to be the peace-bringers, we need to have the grace and love for them and tell them that The Great Kingdom… God's Kingdom is available to them. But, we need to recognize Islam for what it is. The “good, kind, peace-loving” Muslims we're referring to here are in essence “bad Muslims” much like we talk about “bad Christians,”
    Again from the Q'ran – “Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,-”

    True Islam is all about destroying all other cultures, religions, and creeds and making them all live under Sharia law. Not trying to take anything away from you as I can see you are following God's Will for his life, it's good stuff, but you still gotta call a spade a spade.

    More Quotes from the Q'ran and Hadith:
    The morning after the murder of Ashraf, the Prophet declared, “Kill any Jew who falls under your power.”

    “So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make (them) prisoners,”

    “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement”

    Sorry for the long comment.. but a lot of people don't know it and it needs to be said =D Peace be with you all

  • nickasolas

    I haven't read all the comments here so forgive me if this point has already been made.

    It seems that a lot of people like to take a few snippets from Muslim texts to make the point that killing infidels is a key tenet of the faith. When doing this, please keep in mind that the exact same thing can be done with more clarity with the Bible and Christianity/Judaism.

    I was reading about Jericho in Joshua 6 yesterday and God delivers Jericho and commands Israel to kill everything. Thats just what they did, the chapter even says that they slaughtered every living thing, even children big and small. Later in Hebrews, the author commends the faith of these people and the victory over Jericho. However, taking the bible in it's entirety and those verses in context, you can not make the sound point that only the “true followers” or “most devout” Christians and Jews are ready to kill any child or infant that stands in the way of God's work. Doing so would show an utter misunderstanding of basic elements of bible study and would be ignoring an overwhelming volume of contrary text.

    I loved the post and the following discussion even more. When it comes to getting an accurate read on Islam, I am going side with the guy who makes a living spending time in the culture and loving on the people, not the words of a few who have managed to Google “why Muslims are evil” or “Qu'ran verses that talk about killing people”.

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  • http://twitter.com/jonno965 Jon Shriver

    As with Islam, within Christianity there are fanatics and fundamentalists. Both love violence. Both are militant. Both are filled with hate toward the other, justifying it by years of tradition and their understanding of their sacred books. Both can point to horrendous acts by the other as justification for their holy wars. As followers of Jesus who commanded us to love one another and to look after the needs of the 'other,' we cannot become instruments of hate and violence. Violence NEVER stops violence and war NEVER stops war, no matter who is 'right' and who is 'wrong.' The more excellent way is still love.
    And, yes. If we must ignore 1300 years of violence, we must ignore it for Jesus' sake. After all, our religion, too, perpetrated violent acts against its enemies as well.

  • http://twitter.com/jonno965 Jon Shriver

    I don't know about Jim, but in today's global culture, any song that uses warfare language to speak of the church's mission shouldn't be sung. And whilst Revelation speaks of the conquering Christ, it is not with this world's weapons and warfare that he wins his battles but with his word and his love. Let's not give others any more reasons to speak against us.

  • http://twitter.com/jonno965 Jon Shriver

    Yes, and I could quote verses from the Bible to show how that God hates muslims and is pleased when the children of his enemies are dashed against the rocks, but that is not true given the understanding we have of God and his book. We need to temper our understanding of their Scriptures much as we do our own Bible, with the over-arching emphasis on a God who loves and seeks redemption and reconciliation, not revenge.

  • Pingback: 5 Ways to Cultivate a Crippling and Irrational Fear of Muslims « The Bogguses

  • Dave

    Looks like this is a hot issue. What could that mean?

  • http://foolishknight.blogspot.com Andrew Price

    This is very humbly written! Thank you, Jim, for your work and your words!

  • Noor Darwazeh

    i came across your article a year later and by chance searching a quote about cultivating fear and the title of the article caught my attention and in the second till it opened i was praying in my heart (please let it by a sarcastic title), and it it turned out to be one of the most funny, beautiful articles i have read recently that brought peace to my heart.

    being a Muslim american dedicated to inter-faith dialogue and finding common ground i THANK YOU!
    P.S you gotta admit that tea with mint is really good?! :)

  • Jim Mullins

    Noor, thanks for your warm and and generous comments. Indeed, mint tea is fantastic. Just out of curiosity, what quote were you looking for?