Muslims, Christians, respect, repentance, tolerance

Recent articles about Islam generated a vigorous online debate at CanadianChristianity.com. Some excerpts:

Re: ‘Christians should respect Muslims – and share the good news’ (October):

This article is simply another predictable, effeminate Canadian makeover of Christ and his teaching.

Perhaps Jesus should not have stricken Saul blind on that road to Damascus; after all, that wasn’t a respectful thing to do. And Jesus showed great disrespect by railing against the false teachers. He even fashioned a whip to use against them. Not too respectful, Jesus.

To Christians, any book other than the Bible that claims to be holy is, in fact, a lie. It’s simply a book.

While other books contain some truth, Jesus is the only real Truth. Burning the Qur’an, Darwin’s Origin of Species, the phone book . . . they are simply books.

The real issue is the predictable response by Muslim extremists. At the root of their beliefs is that it’s okay to murder those who don’t believe what they do.

Terry Jones has shed light on this very issue – and God bless him. He has shown in clear daylight how wrong Islam is. As Christians know, only when one sees his sin can he ever hope to repent. Coddling or “respecting” someone has never caused them to fall down in repentance.

Yes, Christians want Muslims to come to Christ, as Jesus himself does. But warm and fuzzy non-confrontational  responses won’t do it. The truth will set them free.

Tony Alcantar

BCCN’s article is condescending! “Muslims are the enemies,” it seems to say, “but let us not hate them. Let us love them.”

Instead, how about postulating that Muslims are not the enemies? Because they do not perceive Christians as enemies.

Then Christians would be able to love them as friends, and not have to force themselves to love them as enemies.

God becoming man, or man becoming God, or God coming to earth, or God being born, or God dying: these are concepts considered ‘pagan thoughts’ by Muslims.

That is why it is hard for Christians to tolerate the Muslims, like they would another sect of Christianity.                      

Munir Munshey

What an awesome article. It is difficult, but not impossible, to help Muslims see that Jesus is indeed who he said he is: God himself.  

It is interesting to note that the objections Muslims have about Jesus being God are no different than the objections some 1st century Jews had.  

But judging by Jesus’ own behaviour, he did not reject worship; and he also forgave sins.                                                                        

Wil

The comment by Munir Munshey is truly uninformed. The writer speaks about “why it is hard for Christians to tolerate the Muslims.”

Here are the facts.

In all countries in which Christianity is the dominant religion, Muslims are tolerated – and they quickly claim rights. In virtually all, if not all, 57 countries in which Islam is the dominant religion, Christianity is not respected, or tolerated.

In many Muslim lands, Christianity is severely suppressed. In more than a few Muslim countries, Christians are brutally persecuted. Let’s not distort reality!                                          

John H. Redekop

Continue article >>

Re ‘Botros challenges Muslims’ (September): Zakaria Botros has a long history of lying about Islam. Actually, if you read Philippians 1:18, you are allowed to lie, cheat and deceive for Christ.

Many Muslims have refuted this man. Unfortunately, no one listens to Muslims. May God one day turn him to Islam.                        

Amy Lowen

Phillipians 1:18 allows you to lie? Not having discernment is one thing; but trying to distort a scripture to justify saying something absurd is plain sad. Preaching Christ is preaching love and truth; therefore, if I don’t have the genuine motives to preach, and yet I do preach, his love is still  manifested.

I’ve been asking myself this question for quite a while: If Jesus is considered a prophet by the Qur’an (and the prophets don’t lie, according to the same book), then how come he is not believed when he calls himself the Son of God, or the Saviour, or the Messiah? Is he lying, or not?

There’s a big difference between taking advantage of every circumstance to preach love, and killing infidels.

Mario

Dear Amy: I know very little about Islam, so I don’t know if you are right or wrong in saying Botros is lying about it.

I do know that we humans can easily be deceived. That’s why it is so important to not completely trust ourselves.

I was an atheist for years, before I said into the open air one day: “Will the real God please reveal himself?” It took me many months to let him show himself, but I finally did – after I let go of my preconceived ideas about who he is.

I said I know very little about Islam, but I am learning. However, your statement about Philippians 1:18 shows you know nothing about genuine Christianity.

Please don’t be offended; I humbly point out how little we know of each other. The God I now know has a plan that we should all be one in him – and love one another, as he loves you and me. Does Allah?              

Marianne

Gun comment was ironic

Re ‘Gun registry makes no difference’ (Readers’ Forum, October): One thing that stands out to me in John H. Redekop’s letter is this statement: “The only important action happens when a crime is committed, and then it doesn’t matter when the gun was registered.”

The reason this stands out is that I have heard similar statements before from other conservative editorial writers –  and I feel it does not really make sense.

To me, it is like saying that it does not matter whether or not we find the perpetrator of a crime.

A response that I think truly matters is for Redekop and others to try telling that to the families and friends of those whose loved ones are murdered.

Not only does it seem ridiculous, but it also seems an ironic statement coming from ‘conservative’ voices.

Richard Williams, Vancouver

Sex ed missing key element

Re: ‘Sex ed open letter’ (National Roundup, October):

If our high schools are going to teach our children all about sex, then the often narrow minded ‘professionals’ who dictate all students’ school curriculums should also include one that informs teens how to psychologically rear the potential by-product of sexual intercourse – i.e., offspring.

If society wants well-functioning youth (and eventually healthy, property tax paying adults), we need to establish a progressive high school curriculum.

This should include mandatory courses on child psychology and rearing – which would commence in, at the latest, Grade 11.

Frank G. Sterle, Jr.,
White Rock

November 2010