Smooth Writers, Violent Actions

Christian churches, as a general rule, try and work amenably with other Christian denominations, as well they should.  After all, their core belief is that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. A few months ago my pastor was visited by another pastor who asked him if would have any objections about the new pastor starting another Baptist church in our same community? While all pastors have a natural understanding that this new church might possibly reach out to non-churched individuals that we might reach, he honestly and correctly stated that the new church would be welcomed. How could he say anything else? Our goals are the same.

Now let’s expand the subject.  In 2007 leaders of the Islamic religion sent an open letter to leaders of the Christian religion. The letter, entitled A Common Word Between Us and You, (here in full) was considered a response to Pope Benedict XVI’s lecture at Regensburg in 2006. Basically, the letter calls for peace and understanding between the three religions on the basis of a Qur’anic and Biblical commandment and the Jewish Shema whereby men are told to love God and one’s neighbor. (You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."/This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." The Biblical quote is from Matthew 22:34–40, KJV). The Qur’an states Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to a common word between us and you: that we shall worship none but God, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside God. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). (Aal ‘Imran 3:64)

In October of 2007, the President of the Baptist World Alliance, an organization that my Southern Baptist Church is no longer a member, wrote an answer to the Islamic clerics. (here)The letter was eloquently written and appreciative of the tone in the Islamic outreach, but while agreeing with the clerics that the scriptures from the Bible and the Qu’ran do basically agree that we must worship only God, they did question the part of the Qur’anic verse that stresses “and we shall ascribe no partner unto Him”.  The Qu’ran clearly demonstrates that Islam does not consider Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit as part of the triune God. This is a major sticking point.

My concern about this dialogue (and I’m sure you’re giving thanks for my finally getting to the point) is that The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is spearheading the drive in the United States. The Muslim Brotherhood and other Wahhabist entities in Saudi Arabia fund the ISNA, and yet they have managed to establish a supportive relationship with the American Baptist Churches of the United States of America. (full article here) The ABC-USA has even written public letters defending the ISNA for having “long-standing histories of positive and committed work to strengthen the United States of America.” Hardly.  This is part of a “soft Jihad” against the United States in order to change the Constitution and bring in Sharia law. The federal government listed ISNA as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Hamas-financing trial of the Holy Land Foundation that promotes Sharia. (A detailed analysis of ISNA programs and ideologies is found here.)

And if you want to understand what Sharia and Islam mean for people who fall under their control, then read this article about the fate of Christians in Syria once under control of the rebel forces (here).

I have no problem with praying for Muslims. It is a Christian’s duty. I have no issue with daily workings with them. But we should not be foolish in whom we decide to support just because they write a persuasive letter. The ISNA is not a friend, and they have no desire to allow Christians to coexist with them. The Baptist Church leaders need to look past the letter and see the actions and the results of Islam under Wahhabi influence.