KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
PERSECUSSION,BEHEADINGS
JESUS PERSECUTED BIGTIME
PSALMS 14:1
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
ISAIAH 53:4
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
MATTHEW 9:34
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
JOHN 8:41
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
JOHN 10:20
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11(JESUS GETS REVENGE)
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND FOR SINNERS, THE GREAT WHITE THRONE FINAL JUDGEMENT).
WE ARE CHRISTIANS WE WILL BE TREATED THE SAME.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 (WHY WE ARE PERSECUTED BY THE WORLD)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
MATTHEW 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
MATTHEW 24:9
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
JOHN 15:18-20
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me (JESUS) before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
REVELATION 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain(BEHEADED) for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
REVELATION 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
I MUST ASK THIS QUESTION.IF ISLAM IS SUCH A PEACEFUL RELIGION(CULT).AND THEY CLAIM PEACE ALL THE TIME.WHY KILL YOUR OWN MUSLIMS AS WELL AS CHRISTIANS AND JEWS AND ANYONE AGAINST SHARIA LAW AND HONOR KILLING.IF A SO CALLED RELIGION KILLS THEIR OWN GROUP.HOW MUCH MORE WILL ISLAMIC MURDERERS KILL OFF ANY ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD.AND ISLAM AND THE LEFT WING NUTCASES SAY ISLAM IS SUCH A PIECEFUL RELIGION.BUT A TOLERANT PEACEFUL RELIGION DOES NOT CUT HEADS AND FEET OFF OTHER RELIGIONS.BUT TO THE LEFT WING-LIBERAL-DEMOCRAT-COWARD NUTCASES.THEY WORSHIP ISLAM AND WON'T DARE TALK OUT AGAINST IT.
MUSLIM FRIENDLY BIBLE-NO SON OF GOD ETC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_6fxKTmLJU&feature=youtu.be
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/understanding-the-times/listen/wycliffe-translation-controversy-297687.html
HOLDING TRANSLATORS ACCOUNTABLE
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18687
http://www.ericbarger.com/infomenus/islam.menu.htm
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs018/1102797716062/archive/1109489255491.html
In the basement of a hotel in Istanbul, 30 people from around the world met in August to talk about how to translate the phrase "Son of God" and "God the Father" in Muslim contexts.Wycliffe Bible Translators and a close partner, Dallas-based SIL International, called the private gathering, which included its own translation staff as well as outside scholars. The issue on the table—translation of the familial titles for God and Jesus Christ—was one that has divided Wycliffe members and alarmed supporting churches and missions agencies—leading a few Wycliffe members to leave the organization and some churches to consider withdrawing their support. Emily Belz
"Islam is simple," the taxi driver explained to me as he drove me to
the Center for Shariah Studies in Muscat, the capital of Oman in the
southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. "Basically, Islam is like a
tree, and all of the various denominations are branches on the tree,
they make up the entirety of the religion," he said. The driver's
insightful comment introduced me to the beliefs of the Ibadi denomination in Islam, which represents a majority of Omani citizens and a small minority of Muslims worldwide.My recent journey to Oman brought new insights, offered both by
erudite scholars of Islamic law as well as ordinary Omanis. Home to
Ibadis, as well as Sunnis, small groups of several branches of Shiism
and foreigners from various faith traditions, Oman represents a unique
situation of relative interreligous harmony.
In a time where intra- and inter-religious conflicts seem to dominate
the headlines, Oman is a stable nation ruled by an absolute monarch,
Sultan Qaboos. Perhaps partly due to the strict rule of the Sultan, Oman
has seen little turmoil in recent years. Omanis are proud of their
country's tolerant attitude toward religious minorities and although
they like to differentiate themselves through their distinct Ibadi
background, they consider any Muslim who prays toward the direction of Mecca to be a Muslim, no matter what their specific theological beliefs may be.
Oman represents a calm oasis in the midst of a cyclone of intra-Muslim ignorance and brutality. My time there stirred me to reflect on the disheartening situation of Muslims in the modern world and their futile struggle to create impenetrable boundaries based on superficial religious differences. While around the Muslim-majority world, Sunnis, Shiites, Ibadis and others have lived in relative calm and harmony for hundreds of years, recent political factors have kindled the flames of sectarian violence.Most Americans are aware of the sectarian violence in Iraq, where there have been countless cases of sectarian violence from both sides. In some areas of Iraq, it is dangerous to have an overtly Sunni or Shiite name in the wrong neighborhood and people must navigate parts Baghdad according to their sectarian identity. Shiite pilgrims walking on foot to the city of Karbala have been killed on a regular basis by suicide bombers and car bombs: the question is usually not if the attacks will happen, but when. Terrorists also have killed worshipers during Friday prayers at Sunni mosques, and there seems to be no end to these merciless assaults despite efforts at reconciliation by activists and clerics.In Afghanistan, Shiites mourning the death of Husayn were massacred by a man who allegedly belonged to a militant Sunni Pakistani terrorist organization. Saudi Arabia continues to treat its Shiite minority population as second class citizens, depriving them of the rights granted to the rest of its Muslim citizens and swiftly suppresses any protests against the government. The Sunni ruling family of nearby Bahrain continues to oppress the Shiite majority with the help of the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the situation in Syria has devolved into a full-blown civil war with sectarian undertones. Even in Indonesia, far removed from the Middle East, Shiites have suffered verbal abuse and physical attacks by radical Sunni Muslims. Egypt, a country known more for its tolerant and welcoming environment has witnessed an increasing fear of Shiism, especially in reaction to the growing population of Iraqi refugees, many of whom are Shiites, as well as Egyptian converts to Shiism.Muslims in the West are not immune to the problem of intra-Muslim hostility and Sunnis and Shiites more often than not worship in separate communities. Conflict starts with the tongue and sometimes can end up with bloodshed: last March, the largest Shiite mosque in Belgium was firebombed and the Imam of the mosque killed in the fire, the alleged perpetrator is said to have been a radical Sunni Muslim. While Muslims often come together to respond to rampant Islamophobia, most Americans are unaware that Muslims have internal disputes and lack unity on many other issues. Many Muslims are involved in interfaith dialogue, yet some of these same people might be reluctant to involve themselves in intra-Muslim dialogue, unable to accept other Muslims who hold differing beliefs. It would appear that interfaith engagement is -- at times -- less threatening than intrafaith engagement.In the U.S., it is not uncommon to find mosques with constitutions that stipulate potential members be Sunni and follow one of the four Sunni schools of law to join the mosque as a member. While they most probably would not turn away a Shiite worshiper, the anti-Shiite attitude that is prevalent in the majority of mosques often makes non-Sunnis feel unwelcome. Moreover, mosques often demarcate their communities by ethnicity, spiritual inclinations, political affiliations and other identity markers, causing further unnecessary separation between Muslims of varying backgrounds.Much of the intra-Muslim discrimination that takes place in the Muslim community is not obvious to outsiders and few people are wiling to discuss this issue in public out of fear of reproach from within the community. Some young people are warned by their parents to only consider spouses from the same denominations. Young Sunnis and Shiites do fall in love and get married, navigating the challenges to raise their children between their different understandings of Islam. Some Sunnis refuse to pray behind a Shiite prayer leader (imam) as they consider Shiite prayer and ablution methods to be invalid; and some Shiites will not pray behind Sunnis for the same reasons.Of course, there are many exceptions, and Muslims who are aware of the nuances of Islamic law and those who are more concerned with unity than sectarian strife consistently make an effort to reach out to their fellow Muslims from different backgrounds. There are a handful of mosques and Islamic centers that explicitly cater to Muslims from all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnic, political or sectarian affiliation, such as the Islamic Center of Southern California, whose ideology specifically states: "Sect, school of thought, are a matter of personal preference, not a community policy." One can only pray that other mosques develop similar attitudes toward the creation of a pluralistic community and the ability to accept difference. Most Muslim Student Associations (MSA) at university campuses around the country cater primarily to Sunni students, but a few of the more inclusive MSAs have made laudable efforts to fully engage with students and community members from diverse backgrounds.The first step to combating this problem -- at least in America -- is through education and by spreading awareness about the dangers of disunity, as it states in the Quran:
Surely, those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them. Their case rests with God; then He will inform them of what they used to do (Quran, 6:159).While Muslims from diverse backgrounds might want to participate in certain rituals within their specific community, there is no reason why they cannot also come together to pray and socialize at the same mosques and Islamic centers, and perhaps even join in certain rituals and celebrations together.While Sunnis and Shiites may never be able to agree on the fine points of theology, they should be able to learn how to coexist with each other and to join forces to create a unified, stronger community. Many initiatives have been undertaken by Muslims, specifically scholars, to encourage intra-Muslim dialogue and tolerance, such as the 2004 Amman Message -- signed by the most prominent contemporary Muslim scholars from around the world -- which explicitly states that eight branches of Islam are legitimate denominations in Islam. Most importantly, the statement emphasizes the impermissibility of accusing other Muslims of being heretics, an act that is often encouraged and practiced by hate-mongering clerics and Internet "scholars" who train under the "renowned" Shaykh Google.Other initiatives that could kindle friendships between Muslims of various backgrounds would be to coordinate intra-Muslim service projects similar to interfaith initiatives, such as Interfaith Youth Core. These initiatives could bring together Muslims from various mosques in a community to work together on issues that matter, where they could focus on building relationships and helping others. Building friendships and working together could help Muslims of different backgrounds to humanize their fellow Muslims and to overcome the stereotypes and misinformation they have been given.Although the situation is incredibly complex, many journalists oversimplify the growing tensions between Sunnis and Shiites as an eternal battle between sworn enemies. Each instance of sectarian clashes we witness around the world is unique and in many cases, religion is not usually the primary motivating factor. What is clear is that now is not the time for Muslims to be fighting one another. It is high time that we become more accepting of those we disagree with and acknowledge that all those who identify themselves as Muslim are already included in the vast and merciful embrace of Islam. Most importantly, we have no right to judge them. I pray for a time when Muslims can grow together as branches on one tree to ensure that the core message of Islam -- that of unity, pluralism and compassion -- is embodied by Muslims in their dealings with both Muslims and non-Muslims.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rose-aslan/overcoming-sectarian-divides-among-muslims_b_1734741.html
August 25, 2012
There can be little doubt that Obama considers Islam a religion of peace.So, with Obama's thoughts and actions as a backdrop, let's see what leaders of Islam have said and done lately:
We can, therefore, conclude that killing is not, in Islam, an evil action, and is in accordance with Islamic guidance.
Dr. Beatty earned a Ph.D. in quantitative management and statistics from Florida State University. He was a (very conservative) professor of quantitative management specializing in using statistics to assist/support decision-making. He has been a consultant to many small businesses and is now retired. Dr. Beatty is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years. He blogs at rwno.limewebs.com.
PERSECUSSION,BEHEADINGS
JESUS PERSECUTED BIGTIME
PSALMS 14:1
1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
ISAIAH 53:4
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
MATTHEW 9:34
34 But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
JOHN 8:41
41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
JOHN 10:20
20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
PHILIPPIANS 2:10-11(JESUS GETS REVENGE)
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST AND FOR SINNERS, THE GREAT WHITE THRONE FINAL JUDGEMENT).
WE ARE CHRISTIANS WE WILL BE TREATED THE SAME.
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5 (WHY WE ARE PERSECUTED BY THE WORLD)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous (DANGEROUS) times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
MATTHEW 5:10-12
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
MATTHEW 24:9
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
JOHN 15:18-20
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me (JESUS) before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
REVELATION 6:9-11
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain(BEHEADED) for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
REVELATION 20:4
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
I MUST ASK THIS QUESTION.IF ISLAM IS SUCH A PEACEFUL RELIGION(CULT).AND THEY CLAIM PEACE ALL THE TIME.WHY KILL YOUR OWN MUSLIMS AS WELL AS CHRISTIANS AND JEWS AND ANYONE AGAINST SHARIA LAW AND HONOR KILLING.IF A SO CALLED RELIGION KILLS THEIR OWN GROUP.HOW MUCH MORE WILL ISLAMIC MURDERERS KILL OFF ANY ONE ELSE IN THE WORLD.AND ISLAM AND THE LEFT WING NUTCASES SAY ISLAM IS SUCH A PIECEFUL RELIGION.BUT A TOLERANT PEACEFUL RELIGION DOES NOT CUT HEADS AND FEET OFF OTHER RELIGIONS.BUT TO THE LEFT WING-LIBERAL-DEMOCRAT-COWARD NUTCASES.THEY WORSHIP ISLAM AND WON'T DARE TALK OUT AGAINST IT.
MUSLIM FRIENDLY BIBLE-NO SON OF GOD ETC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_6fxKTmLJU&feature=youtu.be
http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/understanding-the-times/listen/wycliffe-translation-controversy-297687.html
HOLDING TRANSLATORS ACCOUNTABLE
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/18687
http://www.ericbarger.com/infomenus/islam.menu.htm
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs018/1102797716062/archive/1109489255491.html
In the basement of a hotel in Istanbul, 30 people from around the world met in August to talk about how to translate the phrase "Son of God" and "God the Father" in Muslim contexts.Wycliffe Bible Translators and a close partner, Dallas-based SIL International, called the private gathering, which included its own translation staff as well as outside scholars. The issue on the table—translation of the familial titles for God and Jesus Christ—was one that has divided Wycliffe members and alarmed supporting churches and missions agencies—leading a few Wycliffe members to leave the organization and some churches to consider withdrawing their support. Emily Belz
Branches of the Same Tree: Overcoming Sectarian Divides Among MuslimsPosted: 08/15/2012 8:20 am -"Hold fast to the hope of God, all together, and be not divided." --Quran 3:103
Oman represents a calm oasis in the midst of a cyclone of intra-Muslim ignorance and brutality. My time there stirred me to reflect on the disheartening situation of Muslims in the modern world and their futile struggle to create impenetrable boundaries based on superficial religious differences. While around the Muslim-majority world, Sunnis, Shiites, Ibadis and others have lived in relative calm and harmony for hundreds of years, recent political factors have kindled the flames of sectarian violence.Most Americans are aware of the sectarian violence in Iraq, where there have been countless cases of sectarian violence from both sides. In some areas of Iraq, it is dangerous to have an overtly Sunni or Shiite name in the wrong neighborhood and people must navigate parts Baghdad according to their sectarian identity. Shiite pilgrims walking on foot to the city of Karbala have been killed on a regular basis by suicide bombers and car bombs: the question is usually not if the attacks will happen, but when. Terrorists also have killed worshipers during Friday prayers at Sunni mosques, and there seems to be no end to these merciless assaults despite efforts at reconciliation by activists and clerics.In Afghanistan, Shiites mourning the death of Husayn were massacred by a man who allegedly belonged to a militant Sunni Pakistani terrorist organization. Saudi Arabia continues to treat its Shiite minority population as second class citizens, depriving them of the rights granted to the rest of its Muslim citizens and swiftly suppresses any protests against the government. The Sunni ruling family of nearby Bahrain continues to oppress the Shiite majority with the help of the other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and the situation in Syria has devolved into a full-blown civil war with sectarian undertones. Even in Indonesia, far removed from the Middle East, Shiites have suffered verbal abuse and physical attacks by radical Sunni Muslims. Egypt, a country known more for its tolerant and welcoming environment has witnessed an increasing fear of Shiism, especially in reaction to the growing population of Iraqi refugees, many of whom are Shiites, as well as Egyptian converts to Shiism.Muslims in the West are not immune to the problem of intra-Muslim hostility and Sunnis and Shiites more often than not worship in separate communities. Conflict starts with the tongue and sometimes can end up with bloodshed: last March, the largest Shiite mosque in Belgium was firebombed and the Imam of the mosque killed in the fire, the alleged perpetrator is said to have been a radical Sunni Muslim. While Muslims often come together to respond to rampant Islamophobia, most Americans are unaware that Muslims have internal disputes and lack unity on many other issues. Many Muslims are involved in interfaith dialogue, yet some of these same people might be reluctant to involve themselves in intra-Muslim dialogue, unable to accept other Muslims who hold differing beliefs. It would appear that interfaith engagement is -- at times -- less threatening than intrafaith engagement.In the U.S., it is not uncommon to find mosques with constitutions that stipulate potential members be Sunni and follow one of the four Sunni schools of law to join the mosque as a member. While they most probably would not turn away a Shiite worshiper, the anti-Shiite attitude that is prevalent in the majority of mosques often makes non-Sunnis feel unwelcome. Moreover, mosques often demarcate their communities by ethnicity, spiritual inclinations, political affiliations and other identity markers, causing further unnecessary separation between Muslims of varying backgrounds.Much of the intra-Muslim discrimination that takes place in the Muslim community is not obvious to outsiders and few people are wiling to discuss this issue in public out of fear of reproach from within the community. Some young people are warned by their parents to only consider spouses from the same denominations. Young Sunnis and Shiites do fall in love and get married, navigating the challenges to raise their children between their different understandings of Islam. Some Sunnis refuse to pray behind a Shiite prayer leader (imam) as they consider Shiite prayer and ablution methods to be invalid; and some Shiites will not pray behind Sunnis for the same reasons.Of course, there are many exceptions, and Muslims who are aware of the nuances of Islamic law and those who are more concerned with unity than sectarian strife consistently make an effort to reach out to their fellow Muslims from different backgrounds. There are a handful of mosques and Islamic centers that explicitly cater to Muslims from all backgrounds, regardless of their ethnic, political or sectarian affiliation, such as the Islamic Center of Southern California, whose ideology specifically states: "Sect, school of thought, are a matter of personal preference, not a community policy." One can only pray that other mosques develop similar attitudes toward the creation of a pluralistic community and the ability to accept difference. Most Muslim Student Associations (MSA) at university campuses around the country cater primarily to Sunni students, but a few of the more inclusive MSAs have made laudable efforts to fully engage with students and community members from diverse backgrounds.The first step to combating this problem -- at least in America -- is through education and by spreading awareness about the dangers of disunity, as it states in the Quran:
Surely, those who have made divisions in their religion and turned into factions, you have nothing to do with them. Their case rests with God; then He will inform them of what they used to do (Quran, 6:159).While Muslims from diverse backgrounds might want to participate in certain rituals within their specific community, there is no reason why they cannot also come together to pray and socialize at the same mosques and Islamic centers, and perhaps even join in certain rituals and celebrations together.While Sunnis and Shiites may never be able to agree on the fine points of theology, they should be able to learn how to coexist with each other and to join forces to create a unified, stronger community. Many initiatives have been undertaken by Muslims, specifically scholars, to encourage intra-Muslim dialogue and tolerance, such as the 2004 Amman Message -- signed by the most prominent contemporary Muslim scholars from around the world -- which explicitly states that eight branches of Islam are legitimate denominations in Islam. Most importantly, the statement emphasizes the impermissibility of accusing other Muslims of being heretics, an act that is often encouraged and practiced by hate-mongering clerics and Internet "scholars" who train under the "renowned" Shaykh Google.Other initiatives that could kindle friendships between Muslims of various backgrounds would be to coordinate intra-Muslim service projects similar to interfaith initiatives, such as Interfaith Youth Core. These initiatives could bring together Muslims from various mosques in a community to work together on issues that matter, where they could focus on building relationships and helping others. Building friendships and working together could help Muslims of different backgrounds to humanize their fellow Muslims and to overcome the stereotypes and misinformation they have been given.Although the situation is incredibly complex, many journalists oversimplify the growing tensions between Sunnis and Shiites as an eternal battle between sworn enemies. Each instance of sectarian clashes we witness around the world is unique and in many cases, religion is not usually the primary motivating factor. What is clear is that now is not the time for Muslims to be fighting one another. It is high time that we become more accepting of those we disagree with and acknowledge that all those who identify themselves as Muslim are already included in the vast and merciful embrace of Islam. Most importantly, we have no right to judge them. I pray for a time when Muslims can grow together as branches on one tree to ensure that the core message of Islam -- that of unity, pluralism and compassion -- is embodied by Muslims in their dealings with both Muslims and non-Muslims.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rose-aslan/overcoming-sectarian-divides-among-muslims_b_1734741.html
August 25, 2012
Islam a Religion of Peace? Actions Say Otherwise.
By W.A. BeattyAt the 3:40 point of this AT video entitled "Obama Promoting Islam," President Barack Hussein "kill list" Obama says, "Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism; it is an important part of promoting peace." Saying "that Islam embodied a religion of peace, fairness and tolerance," Obama then commented "that the religion was being 'distorted' by a few extremists." He made that statement in Mumbai, India, on November 7, 2010, at St. Xavier's College. In the irony department, St. Xavier's College is a short distance from Chhatrapati Shivaji railroad terminal, where, in November 2008, Islamic terrorists killed 173 people and injured 308 people. When asked by a St. Xavier's student, "What is your take or opinion about jihad?" Obama stumbled (I guess he was sans teleprompter), then continued, "Well..." Then he paused. "You know, uh..." He paused again, then, leaning on a cliché about the "Great Religions of the World, " said:The phrase jihad has a lot of meaning within Islam and is subject to a lot of different interpretations, but I will say that first Islam is one of the world's great religions. More than a billion people practise [sic] Islam and an overwhelming majority view their obligations to a religion that reaffirms peace, fairness, tolerance. I think all of us recognise [sic] that this great religion in the hands of a few extremists has been distorted by violence.Further, Ethel C. Fenig said at AT in September 2009, in her article, "Islam, a religion of peace?": "While President Barack Obama (D) was busy praising Islam as a religion of peace worthy of "mutual interest and mutual respect" to foster engagement at a dinner in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan[.]"
There can be little doubt that Obama considers Islam a religion of peace.So, with Obama's thoughts and actions as a backdrop, let's see what leaders of Islam have said and done lately:
- In April 2010, in the United Kingdom, Anjem Choudary, an Islamic radical, said, "You can't say that Islam is a religion of peace, because Islam does not mean peace. Islam means submission. So the Muslim is one who submits. There is a place for violence in Islam. There is a place for jihad in Islam." He also said, "The Koran is full of, you know, jihad is the most talked about duty in the Koran other than tawhid - belief. Nothing else is mentioned more than the topic of fighting." Choudary, by the way, has also praised the 9/11 attackers.
- In August 2012, Hamas leader Sheik Ahmad Bahr, on Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV, said, "... if the enemy sets foot on a single square inch of Islamic land, Jihad becomes an individual duty incumbent upon every Muslim, male or female." Bahr continued, "Oh, Allah, destroy the Jews and their supporters, and the Americans and their supporters. Oh, Allah, count them one by one, and kill them all, without leaving a single one."
- The Holy Month of Ramadan began on the evening of Thursday, July 19, 2012, and ended on the evening of Saturday, August 18, 2012. It was a time for Muslims to purify their souls, refocus their attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice. Muslims worldwide spend their daylight hours fasting, and were supposed to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance, to refrain (sawm) from evil actions.
We can, therefore, conclude that killing is not, in Islam, an evil action, and is in accordance with Islamic guidance.
- On August 18, 2012, in Sanaa, Yemen, at least 20 people died as al-Qaeda was suspected of attacking a Yemeni intelligence headquarters building. That coordinated attack came on the last day of Ramadan.
Dr. Beatty earned a Ph.D. in quantitative management and statistics from Florida State University. He was a (very conservative) professor of quantitative management specializing in using statistics to assist/support decision-making. He has been a consultant to many small businesses and is now retired. Dr. Beatty is a veteran who served in the U.S. Army for 22 years. He blogs at rwno.limewebs.com.
