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Christianity Today, April, 2007 |

IRAQ: THE WAR AT FOUR

Love Your Muslim as Yourself

We remain woefully ignorant about the world's second-largest religion.

A Christianity Today editorial | posted 3/16/2007 09:25AM

As U.S. military engagement in Iraq enters its fifth year, at least one thing should be obvious: Our nation remains woefully ignorant about religious and ethnic factions in the Middle East.

One reason ...

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Greg Livingstone

Posted: March 29, 2007 8:37 AM

Having spent 45 years among or assisting other to make the Gospel make sense to Muslims from Mauritania to Mindanao, I appeal to American Christians to love God with our MINDS! It is no more reasonable to think of Muslims as terrorists than for Musims to think of Americans as Klu Klux Klan! 95% of all the Muslims are just like most Americans-trying to survive life-get their kids through school, and occasionally placate God as they conceive of Him.

Julie

Posted: March 28, 2007 6:12 PM

As I read this article, I am humbled at how little Americans, myself included, know about Islam. I am really really sad about the violence in Iraq, a conflict the American government created. I am encouraged to hear about Christians sowing seeds of peace and understanding through diplomatic means. Lastly, I am reminded how difficult it really is to live a grace filled life. One step might be to pray that individuals and governments move away from a stereotypical understanding into grace-filled human understanding. One thing I know... we can't do it without God!

christopher

Posted: March 28, 2007 3:31 AM


It's time to preach good new to muslim,our Chinese church should do our best to Chinese muslim.

Virgil Young

Posted: March 27, 2007 9:52 PM


Islam (Muslim) They have swore to either get us to accept their Allah or they are to murder us. I do not want theses people in our country and I would like to see all of them deported and our borders closed.

SANDRA

Posted: March 27, 2007 8:52 PM


If Americans ever had an on-going enemy, it would be those of Islam. We are infidels to them; our annihilation is their goal, because we are a spiritual cancer to their faith. Our culture is offensive to many more of them than it is to us. This is a chance to obey Jesus (those weren't "suggestions") and love the enemy - not someone we hate but someone who hates us.

Darren King

Posted: March 26, 2007 6:17 PM

"The coming of Jesus was the death of all religion." Good article. "Seek first to listen and understand". That certainly applies in this discussion about our Muslim neighbors. I believe more needs to be said about a life in Christ being about people being freed of religious, ethnic, sectarian bonds. Posturing as if Muslims are demonic is not only inacurrate, but also furthers a trend that Jesus came to deliver us from. It is ridiculously simple-minded and naive to suggest than Allah is Satan. In the Last Battle, C.S. Lewis suggested those who worshiped God (by any name - in this case, Tash, representing Allah) were received by Aslan (representing Jesus) as if they were worshipping him- because they were worshipping God in spirit and truth, to the best of their ability. More also needs to be said about the common beginnings of the world's three major religions. That common bond makes an "us versus them" mentality even more untenable.

John Mustol

Posted: March 21, 2007 5:33 PM

Re: Iraq and religion. In 2003, we invaded a nation which we knew almost nothing about, whose languages we do not speak, religious groups we do not understand, social and community structures we do not know, and whose politics and history we do not grasp. And we continue to fail to understand as we interpret events in terms of our own assumptions and biases. Our ignorance and folly is historic. The Iraq Adventure is one of the worst moral and practical failures in the history of American foreign policy. Not only are we ignorant, but we are arrogant. Besides being sinful, this makes us dangerous. May God help us to repent and turn to him. And may God protect the world from us.

wayne

Posted: March 21, 2007 11:27 AM


regarding Kashifs' brief comment.."As a man thinketh in his heart,so is he" Prov.23:7..Mans' actions reflect what is in his heart..those who hate,torture,kill and behead reveal what Islam teaches.The misunderstanding is not the burden of the Evangelical,but it is the Muslim who needs to find Basic religious understanding.....

Bill Skinner

Posted: March 21, 2007 7:50 AM

Where are all of the articles and books by Christian seminarians and practitioners about Islam that set forth why they think Allah is God? There are plenty of books describing how Islam and Mohammed's teachings always lead to Muslim dominance of Christians and Jews once the Muslim becomes devout enough to really study Islam. Picking verses from the Quran to show Islam is peace loving does little good if you do not understand the principle of "abrogation" applicable to the writings or the historical sequence of Mohammed's claimed revelations over 23 years. My own view at this point is that Allah is not the same as God. Your article has some good leads.

Ross	Posted: March 20, 2007 5:30 PM

The truth is that if everyone knew more of the truth of the religion that was spread by the sword, invading country after country and killing everyone who disagreed with them, there would be even more distrust of Muslims. This killing of each other, as well as relatives, over the leadership of Islam began immediately upon Mohammed's death, and they've been wielding the sword ever since. No amount of diplomacy or compromise on our part will satisfy these mentally ill, hateful people. Don't be fooled into thinking it's only a small minority that are radicals. The truth is that the radicals have much support from a large portion of the Muslim world. I agreee that people should learn more about Islam, but they should learn it to keep aware and beware of their Muslim neighbors because the Muslims will do whatever they are told to do by Muslim leaders.

WP	Posted: March 19, 2007 6:13 PM


Jesus asks us to love our neighbors and that includes Muslims. Jesus would never say that Christians are better for we all are sinners too.

Sam from uganda

Posted: March 19, 2007 2:46 AM

Hi thanks for that contribution,but thing you really know that religion will never take to us heaven and another thing is we are leaving in a secular world where we think ev'thing is inthe eyes God and our Lord Jesus Christ.Let us stop compromising things but stick to truth and that is the word of God and if we say we have faith in God then lets us do what he says in his word"faith with actions".The only way to heaven is his Son Jesus Christ and apart from that there no any to lead to heaven,neither islam.Get me no(ndiwatonny@yahoo.com)

Caesar Warrington

Posted: March 18, 2007 1:41 PM

Well over half a decade after 9/11, and with Islam and the Middle East constantly in the news, Americans still remain quite ignorant of the Islamic faith. Mostly those who bear responsibilty for this are the Evangelical churches and their conservative allies in talk radio. Both entities present Islam as some alien belief system outside this so-called "Judeo-Christian" tradition (a most over-used and inaccurate term if there ever was one).

D. Kelley

Posted: March 18, 2007 7:13 AM


Surely as christians we know how important it is to love one another yet scripture does tell us to" be wise as the serpent, but harmless as the dove." We are about loving but we can't be stupid.

tobyd

Posted: March 17, 2007 10:38 PM

Rom 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. Ti 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

osman

Posted: March 17, 2007 10:25 PM

I don't know what the hate you guys have towards Islam.I am a Muslim and grew up in half Muslim and Christian country.I want to tell you that there is no a single verse of Qur'an which is against humanity... and there is no religion other than Islam which teaches a Universal Brotherhood. You western people have a distorted image of Islam(mainly distorted by your influential medias),you better read Quran and ask Muslims for any doubt you have.This is what is expected from civilized people.You can't speak based on what you have heard but only based on knowledge what you have witnessed.In my country there r more Muslims than there are Christians(...Ethiopia,East Africa) but we have lived for centuries peacefully.You are judgeing Islam based on how some groups are behaving.What if i say Christian is a violent religion based on what christians have done(WWI,WWII,Hiroshman and Nagas...) Just be civilized people you ve to read a lot.

Scott Tonk

Posted: March 17, 2007 3:37 PM

We certainly do need a LOT more knowledge of Islam and of the varieties within Islam, its history, its culture, its impact on various cultures, the impact of various cultures on Islam, and related areas. Initiatives that will increase mutual knowledge and respect between Christians, Jews and Muslims are most welcome, including interreligious cooperation in suitable areas. The article's call for greater knowledgeability about Islam is right on target. I give this article a rating of five stars. The only reason my feedback shows as one star is that I could not undo a mistake in rating it.

muslima

Posted: March 17, 2007 11:32 AM

As a muslim. I respect all of Allah's (God's) creation. I wouldn't have it any other way. Mutual peace and respect. This is the way of Jesus (May Peace and Blessings of Allah almighty be upon him), as well as Mohammed (May Peace and Blessings of Allah almighty be upon him), and all of the other messengers. Think about all we have in common and leave media opinion behind. We all have to meet our creator sooner or later. We have to answer for ourselves not others. So lets all improve ourselves. The world should follow. InshAllah(God willing).

Mona Monroe

Posted: March 17, 2007 11:28 AM

Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you. These were the words of our Lord and we should. The Bible also instructs as to be wise and not to be fooled. It is not about the people, it is all about the god they serve. They are taught, from childhood, to hate us and it is heroic for them to die killing Christians and Jews. This is truly not a religious war, it is a spiritual war. I will continue to pray for the Muslim people, who are so very deceived and grow closer to God through Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. It is so very crirical that Christians and Jews be truthfully educated in the Word of God. This is only possible by the Holy Spirit. Let us not be a stumbling block or lead others astray by false teaching. Blessings,

Yousef

Posted: March 17, 2007 10:23 AM

And who is the real Moslem? Is he the one who loves his parents and respects them according to the teachings of Quran ? Or the one who is asked to kill Jews and Christians and not take them for friends accoding to the teachings of the same Quran? I think Moslems have a big problem in determining which part they need to follow in their religion. I lived, grew up and studied in an Islamic country and I could see that both are in one; what a problem. ! A Moslem can sit with UBL and plan a horrible attack on innocent people supported by the teachings of Quran; likewise, a peacful one could sit with the Pope and plan a peace project supported by the the Quran too .

Another Pat

Posted: March 17, 2007 10:05 AM

I appreciated your article with its emphasis on getting to know the Islamic religion, the culture of their people and how we should love them. I also read other reviews and can understand these readers' viewpoints. Yes, we see Islamics/muslims as the enemy. That's why it's hard to love them. But as Christians, we are to love our enemies and bless those who curse us. Just because muslims are out to destroy Christians, doesn't mean we are to retaliate in kind. Just be sure you are fully clothed in the Armor of God - the one and only true God.

Treesy

Posted: March 17, 2007 9:11 AM

The common denominator is Islam. While the adherents of Islam are not inherently evil any more than the rest of us, their religion is. It stands in direct opposition to the divinity of Christ and places Mohammed and Allah above Him. The fruit of it will therefore be evil. Recognizing the true nature of Islam is important, apologizing for it is dangerous. We must be careful not to equate appreciation for other faiths as being equal to appreciating others.

Olaf B. Raasch

Posted: March 17, 2007 4:27 AM

I will give you a selection of verses in the Qur'an where Mohammad confirms the authority of the Bible.Please look up Q.10:94, Q.3:3, Q.5:52, Q.4.50. The result is therefore that the Qur'an itself takes away any reason for the Muslim to reject the authority and trustworthiness of the Old and New Testament. This however, is never taught in Muslim schools, but the negative aspect of the Qur'an which is hate your enemy Jews, Christians, and any other infidel you come across apart from Fundamentalist Islam. This contradiction in the Qur'an is unrestrained and unvarnished, and therefore probably of little use to the educated Muslim.He would not know what to follow. But since man is loaded with sin and the Qur'an not from YHWH (Our LORD) but from the true enemy (Satan the devil) the way is clear to Hell for any Muslim. Therefore love the person (as or Lord does) and hate what he does and believe.

Gimy	Posted: March 17, 2007 1:39 AM


Me as I suvivor of the islamic prosecution in my own country, I feel disgusted by this article titled "Love your muslims as yourelf" Have you ever been to islamic countries? Do muslims love Christians? Do muslims allow Christians to build the Church of Christ as they are building their mosques here in US, Canada and others non-muslims countries? What love are you talking about?

Kashif

Posted: March 17, 2007 12:17 AM


Great article, we are what we think...the world needs more positivity like this !

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