The Sunday after 911, I had an American couple visiting in one of the congregations that I serve and naturally the issue was on their minds and I said I would speak to it during the service.
Having done undergraduate Middle East studies, I came prepared with something old and something new.
Something Old -- words from the A. Khomeni and Something New -- were words from Osama.
I recall saying if I set these words besides each other and blacked out date references, all of us would have a hard time figuring out who said what because the words were so similar.
I recall saying how many Muslims in North America are horrified by the violence, because their views have been changed by Western ideas. But many views have never changed.
I recall saying that Islam is a religion born in blood for the conquest of the world by blood. And a true Muslim, that is one being true to their leader, must be prepared to do violence in order to bring about the blessed society where Islam dominates.
A religion of peace? Hardly, for that would be a denial of the aim of its founder. For violence is necessary, especially when enough forces are available to make the grab for power very plausible or possible.
Do I believe there are many individual Muslims who desire to live in peace? Yes!
But they do so in denial of one of the fundamental ideas of their religion.
Indeed -- enough said.
ReplyDeleteThe Sunday after 911, I had an American couple visiting in one of the congregations that I serve and naturally the issue was on their minds and I said I would speak to it during the service.
Having done undergraduate Middle East studies, I came prepared with something old and something new.
Something Old -- words from the A. Khomeni and Something New -- were words from Osama.
I recall saying if I set these words besides each other and blacked out date references, all of us would have a hard time figuring out who said what because the words were so similar.
I recall saying how many Muslims in North America are horrified by the violence, because their views have been changed by Western ideas. But many views have never changed.
I recall saying that Islam is a religion born in blood for the conquest of the world by blood. And a true Muslim, that is one being true to their leader, must be prepared to do violence in order to bring about the blessed society where Islam dominates.
A religion of peace? Hardly, for that would be a denial of the aim of its founder. For violence is necessary, especially when enough forces are available to make the grab for power very plausible or possible.
Do I believe there are many individual Muslims who desire to live in peace? Yes!
But they do so in denial of one of the fundamental ideas of their religion.