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Since September 11, 2001, we have been inundated with information regarding Islam or those who hold the Muslim faith.So exactly what does this religion teach? How does it compare to New Testament Christianity? What does jihad really entail? And how does this religion treat women? While many would say that there is not that much difference between Islam and Christianity, that is simply not so. During this class we will consider contrasts between the following: > The Bible vs. The Qur’an> Jesus vs. Muhammad> Evangelism vs. Jihad> God vs. Allah> The Cross vs. The Crescent
What comes to your mind when you hear the word Islam or Muslim?
- On our own soil, Americans experienced the worst terrorist attack in history. + And we saw videos of some Islamic people dancing for joy in the streets.
But we also saw a TV interview with a young Muslim woman saying: “I want to take my religion back from people who preach hatred. My religion is not about hatred.”
Many have proclaimed that true Islam is a peaceful religion. • Even President Bush in 2001 • We are encouraged to embrace our differences and promote unity. • Anyone even questioning the construction of a mosque in his or her own neighborhood is chastised as intolerant or hateful. • After all, we are told that all of the bombings and killings are the acts of terrorist extremists—not true Muslims.
Timeline of Major Terrorist Attacks 2004 2005 1979 1983 1988 1993 1996 2000 2001 1998 Iran Embassy Hostages Yemen USS Cole Beirut Madrid Train Bombings Lockerbie Pan-Am WTC Pentagon Shanksville, Pa. First WTC bombing London bombings Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Military complex 2 African U.S. Embassies Indonesia 7,581 1981 2001 terrorist attacks Source: Maj. Gen. Chong U.S. Air Force Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio
1983 - Beirut, Lebanon Embassy Attack and the attack on the Beirut, Marine Barracks April, 1983 October, 1983
1998: Nairobi, Kenya US Embassy * Dar es Salaam, Tanzania US Embassy
• Total number killed in attacks (official figure as of 9/5/02): 2,819• Number of firefighters and paramedics killed: 343• Number of NYPD officers: 23• Number of Port Authority police officers: 37• Number of WTC companies that lost people: 60 • Number of employees who died in Tower One: 1,402• Number of employees who died in Tower Two: 614• Number of employees lost at Cantor Fitzgerald: 658• Number of U.S. troops killed in Operation Enduring Freedom:22• Number of nations whose citizens were killed in attacks: 115• Ratio of men to women who died: 3:1• Age of the greatest number who died: between 35 and 39 • Bodies found "intact": 289 • Body parts found: 19,858• Number of families who got no remains: 1,717
It is confusing for us when we hear “different signals’ • What is “Islam”? - Is it what the Muslim clerics in the US are saying? - Is it what the Muslim clerics in Afghanistan say?
As Christians, it does not matter which “version” regarding Islam is true...
Christ ascended back into Heaven, He said to His apostles, “All authority has been given to Me in Heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). • This commission began with the Apostles and is extended to include all Christians • “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).
Christians today should desire to see all people saved, including those who are Muslims, for the invitation of our Lord is a universal appeal. • This is demonstrated by the apostle Peter at the house of Cornelius when he said, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34-35).
Some will ask, “What about the dangers Christians face from Islamists?”
“When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads and, when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until war shall lay down her burdens” (Qur’an 47:4) • “There is no nation but We shall destroy or sternly punish before the Day of Resurrection. This is decreed in the Eternal Book” (Qur’an 17:58) • “As for those who are slain in the cause of God, He will not allow their works to perish. He will vouchsafe them guidance and ennoble their state; He will admit them to the Paradise He has made known to them” (Qur’an 47:6)
Sura 8:39 - Jihad is fighting anybody who stands in the way of spreading Islam. Or fighting anyone who refuses to enter into Islam. • “Some of us are Muslims and some are wrongdoers. Those that embrace Islam pursue the right path, but those that do wrong shall become the fuel of Hell” (Qur’an 72:17)
What do the scriptures teach? • Stephen - this servant of Christ also proclaimed the gospel and debated with the Jews in their synagogues (Acts 7:8-9). His forcefulness demonstrates that Christianity is not passive; it engages the opposition. It also, however, frequently arouses opposition, and such was the case in this instance. The leaders of the Sanhedrin, as well as the people generally, were aroused to a state of frenzy. They “rushed upon” the man of God and brought him before the assembled council. The infuriated mob rushed him, dragged him from the city, and stoned him. This was no legal execution. It was a lynching! • Peter – John 21:17-19 - He saith unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. Now this he spake, signifying by what manner of death he should glorify God.
What do the scriptures teach? • Revelation 2:10 - Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life. • In all reference in the New Testament to the crown of the Christian, it is the stephanos, the crown of victory. Christ is saying, be faithful unto the point of death, and even if you die, you will be the victor. This is a promise of heaven.
The Islamic Invasion • As on Dec., 2005, Some 1.6 billion people (CIA fact sheet) — 1.8 billion (Islamic sources) --- one person in four —heed Islam’s call in the modern world, • fastest growing religion on earth
Did you know? • At least 42 nations are almost completely Islamic.
Did you know? • Comparative chart - number of Muslims to those claiming Christian faith: • “Christian”Muslim • 1900 world population 26.9% 12.4% • 1980 world population 30% 16.5% • 2000 world population 29.9% 19.2% 2025 world population (PROJECTED) 25%30%
The Islamic Invasion • Most Muslim countries have either closed the borders to missionaries or have made evangelism illegal, or both
The Islamic Invasion • Islam is not only the dominant religion in North Africa, - Began in Saudi Arabia - But now non-Arab Muslims outnumber Arab Muslims (3:1) - The 4 nations w/ largest number of Muslims today are outside the Middle East + Indonesia – 150 million – about the total in the Middle East + Pakistan + Bangladesh + India – 100 million
The Islamic Invasion • Africa – 307 million Muslims • Asia – 778 million Muslims
The Islamic Invasion • Due to the liberal immigration policies, millions of Muslims have now emigrated to the West in search of a better life. • In manyWestern Europeannations, Islam has become the second-largest religion (32 million) - France - 5 million Muslims - Germany– 3 million Muslims As they increase in number their political strength is asserted. In Germany, resident aliens are demanding voters’ rights.
The Islamic Invasion • Spain - Home of“Europe's first Islamic guerrilla army” - Many of Spain's mosques are financed with Saudi funds which tend to promote the more radical Wahhabi form of Islam. - 90% of Spain's 600,000 Muslims are from Morocco • Many of Spain's Muslims long for an Islamic revival to reclaim their legendary history A key flash point is the Cordoba Cathedral Which originally was a mosque
The Islamic Invasion England: + 2nd largest religious group + London alone has over a 1000 mosques +Muslims are buying Anglican church buildings and turning them into mosques at such a rate that some Muslims claim that England will be the Europe’s 1st Muslim country! • The British Mosque Council claims to have 2 million voters – • their rallying cry is – “Muslims first and Britons second” Parliament has ruled that Muslims do not have to follow English Common Law when it comes to things such as divorce (they can follow Islamic law instead)
The Islamic Invasion Canada: > Time Canada (the leading news magazine in Canada) “Muslims are growing in numbers and political clout” + Toronto has the highest concentration of Muslims in any city in the US or Canada > “Ottawa Citizen”(the leading newspaper in Canada’s capitol city) “Canada’s Muslims should be allowed to use Shariah law” > Canadian Muslims are celebrating progress - The election of a Muslim to the Canadian parliament • The province of Ontario has authorized the use of sharia law in civil arbitrations
The Islamic Invasion • Australia > Muslim population is growing at 40% over five year period >more than one-third of Australian Muslims are born in Australia. > Australia's Muslim community, drawn from more than 70 different countries, is a well-established and integral part of Australia's broader society. * Nov. 06, 2005 – “An inflammatory pamphlet urging Muslims to oppose Western governments was handed out at a major Islamic festival in Melbourne yesterday.”
Recent Muslim claim Today, Islam is the 3rd largest religious group in America. Only the Catholics and Baptists are larger. Source: U.S. Almanac Muslims > Fastest growing religion in the U.S. > Expected to double by 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!
Texas ranks: Fifth in number of Muslims. • Texas has 100,000 registered Muslim voters • The American Muslim Council states “American Muslims have arrived as a political force”
Collin County • Islamic Association of Collin County • 7,500 Muslims are members • Last April, Ali Samanacontested for a City Council seat in the city of Frisco, Texas. • On a Frisco web site (Posted on 12/04/2005) : “ Islamic web designers compete for chance to fire missiles at American troops by remote control”
Where is all this growth coming from? • Asia – Africa --- Growing primarily thru population growth (births) • According to the United Nations, the global birthrate will soon be 50% Muslim • Western Europe – Growing primarily thru immigration • Canada – Growing primarily thru immigration
Where is all this growth coming from? • US -- While part of the rise in the population of Muslims in the United States is due to immigration, the phenomenal growth of Islam in the past 10 years has come from an increasing number of… Americans converting to Islam.
Where is all this growth coming from? • US – conversions to Islam. - Islam continues to draw followers at an estimated rate of 135,000 converts per year. - 30% of American Muslims are converts to the faith. + Per “Christianity Today”, in Cleveland 95% of the Muslims are converts + Half of the number American converts to Islam come from the African-American community. (many in prison – 35,000/yr) + Islam groups are now highly visible on American campuses - practice strong proselytizing techniques US Muslim converts include professors, journalists, politicians, actors, and athletes. Who do YOU think make up #2?
American women make up the second largest group of converts to Islam. Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in their sleeping places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great. (Quran, 4:34)
We want answers --- • What motivated people to do such horrendous things? • What is “jihad”? • Do all Muslims believe the same thing? • What do the millions of Muslims living in the U.S. believe? • Is Islam simply a “different religion”? • Is “Allah” the same as your God? • What do you tell your children? • And as Christians, we must come to comprehend our attitudes and actions in regard to the Muslim people.
Why Is Islam Growing So Rapidly? • Dr. EverttHuffard • the recognized “expert” within the church on Islam: - His mission experiences began as a teenager when his parents moved to Jerusalem, Jordan. - Dr. Huffard lived in Nazareth for eight years and is a specialist in evangelism and Islam. - Formerly professor of missionlogy at Harding University - Currently Dean, Harding University Graduate School of Religion - Widely sought-after lectureship speaker
Why Is Islam Growing So Rapidly? • Dr. Evertt Huffard suggests some factors: 1 – It fills a moral and political vacuum > Corruption is rampant in many areas where Islam flourishes 2 – ISLAM claims a universal allegiance to an almighty GOD > It is a contrast to the idolatry of Arabia and the icons of the Eastern church. > The God of Islam is preeminently a God of “power.” 3 – IT OFFERS A SIMPLE RELIGION. > The traditions of Judaism and the Eastern Orthodox church had become complex and cumbersome. > Islam asked only that its adherents accept the “5 Pillars.” > It promotes a firm monotheism and a strict moral code. 4 –THERE ARE CULTURAL AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS TO ISLAM.
