It’s hard not to resent and even despise Islam
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Yesterday there was another mass terror attack by Muslim extremists, this time in Paris, France. It is reported that the body count stands at well over 129 dead, 352 injured with 99 of those critically injured.
In 2005 I was privileged to preach in this church in Pakistan: the banner says “Glory Gospel Assembly of Pakistan”
Around the world there continues to be incredible Muslim atrocities: beheadings, torture, kidnappings, even crucifixions.
What are all these terror attacks about? They are about a religion that teaches horrific violence to subjugate people and enforce domination anywhere in the world. If you think that is an exaggeration, please read the rest of this article.
Where Islam spreads, so does violence and domination. It is hard not to resent and even despise it.
At the same time, as a Christ follower, I am called to love everyone, even enemies. Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:43-44 ESV)
Most Muslims are not violent. Indeed, many are turned off by the actions of extremists. They are easy to like and love. I have had the privilege of traveling to many Muslim dominated countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and Indonesia. I love Muslim people.
While I love Muslims, here are some of the major problems with Islam and violence:
1. Islam means “submission” NOT “peace.”
There is an urban myth in the USA that Islam means “peace.”
Actually the word “Islam” means “submission.”
This submission is frequently enforced by domination: physical, political, cultural and so on.
Make no mistake, the goal of Islam is your submission and the domination of the entire world to the system of Islam.
In the afterlife, the goal of Islam is paradise. Paradise (heaven) for Muslims is a place of sensual pleasures. Here is a description of paradise, from the Koran in Sura 55:
“* They will recline on couches upholstered in brocade while the harvest from both orchards droops nearby; * so which of your Lord’s benefits will both of you deny? *Bashful maidens will be there whom no human being has tampered with previously,nor an sprite. * So which of your Lord’s benefits will both of you deny? They will be like rubies and coral; * so which of your Lord’s benefits will both of you deny?”
Sura 56 in the Koran also describes a paradise of “bright-eyed damsels [chaste] just like treasured pearls, as a reward for what they have been doing.”
Quoting their own sources, the goal of Islam is domination on earth (frequently utilizing terror and torture) in order to achieve a reward of sexual fulfillment in paradise with “bashful maidens.”
For these reasons, it is hard not to resent and even despise Islam.
2. Islam has been violent throughout its history and always will be.
Throughout his lifetime Mohammed conquered by the sword. He commissioned his followers to do the same, telling them in at least 18 places in the Koran to fight and kill the enemies of Islam.
For example, in Sura 9:123 the Koran says, “Believers, make war on the infidels [that is any who do not follow Islam] who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them. Know that God is with the righteous.”
Currently there are about 1.3 billion Muslims in the world. While only a fraction of Muslims are radical terrorists, that means:
If only 10% are radical, that equals 130 million.
If only 1% are radical, that is still 13 million!
But even for the non radical, the goal of Islam is domination and when Islam dominates, it typically rejects freedoms:
Women are not respected or educated
Christians and other religions are persecuted
Family members who convert to other religions are persecuted and/or killed
Laws discriminate against minority religions
Our government in the USA is inclined to say that we are in a “war on terrorism.” I understand the desire not to inflame. But while it is true, it is only half of the truth. The whole truth is that we are in a “war on Islamic terrorism” which is a central part of the Koran and Islamic teaching.
3. Islam is a “works” religion which cannot offer personal peace.
How does one receive salvation in Islam? Muslims believe that one must follow the five pillars of Islam in order to be saved to avoid hell and attain paradise.
What is the problem with that? It is the same problem as in all other religions except Christianity: you become the god. It is up to you to save yourself by being good.
But how good is good enough? One never knows, never has assurance, never really has peace with God.
Only Christianity says that God is so perfect that we cannot earn our way to His presence: it had to be paid for by God Himself in the form of His Son Jesus Christ, who died in our place for our sins.
“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5 ESV)
Do Christians serve God? Yes of course! But we don’t serve to earn our way to heaven or pay our own price of admission to heaven. We serve out of gratitude.
Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV)
So I love Muslims. I especially love the thought of introducing them to Isa (Jesus), the only One who can bring salvation and true peace!
For more help on this subject, check out these articles I’ve written: