We who are not Muslim must begin the task of reforming our own culture while, at the same time, defending our God-given vision of freedom and liberty against those who would take it from us. We who are not Muslim must also make a concerted effort to offer friendship and support to those Muslims in our communities (and around the world) who share our fear of the cultural regression and terror of radical Islamist ideology.
We should pray for those more moderate Imams who are caught between a rock and a hard place in their own spiritual communities. There are many who are under threat from radicals and are overwhelmed by the Wahhabist theology propounded and spread by the wealth derived from Saudi oil.
The very soul of Islam is at stake and we would do well to pause for a long moment before we assume that Islam itself is the enemy. It is true that our terrorist enemies are virtually all Muslim. It does not necessarily follow, however, that every Muslim is our enemy.
Alongside most ordinary Muslims there are many powerful and influential Muslims in every corner of the world who are our potential allies in this fight. We must seek them out and encourage them. The threat to them is even greater that it is to us...at least in the immediate future. A minutes thought reveals that it is the moderate Muslims who must be terminated before the rest of the world can be brought under submission to the Islamist caricature of Allah.
So then, be very, very worried. But do not be discouraged. God is the God of history as well as of creation. These times, as with all times, belong to God and are in God's hands. We who stand for God's freedom, peace, mercy, justice and redemption must stand boldly, hand in hand with all who will stand with us . . . even, and perhaps more so, if the hand we hold is the hand of a Muslim.
Article comments
1 - Silas Kain
There are (it should not be surprising to say) many moral values held in common between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.
Well, the 'moral values' seem to consistently get us in trouble. The imposition of 'moral values' in the name of any religion is front line opression -- period. The Islamic terrorist utilizes a violent method to impose its brand of oppression. Rev. Pat Robertson uses his bully pulpit to achieve essentially the same thing. There's no difference in the ultimate goal of Pat Robertson or Ossama bin Laden -- just a difference of religious label.
2 - Andy Marsh
Silas - Are you serious? I mean, I'll give you the fact that Robertson's an idiot...but has he ever sent people to another country to kill it's citizens??? He's suggested that someone go do it, but he hasn't financed it!
3 - Silas Kain
Yes, I am VERY serious. The bottom line is that both men are interested in one thing -- the advancement of their respective religions to the point of world domination. We're such a self-righteous people. It's easy to assign the word oppression to Muslims but Robertson's brand of evangelization would also cause basic freedoms to be destroyed. He talks a good game about respecting the Jews. But he doesn't. He needs the Jews to assist him in this crazy idea that they are a necessary ingredient in the advent of the Rapture. Fundamentalist control of our society is as dangerous as the Mullah control of Iran. Wake up and smell the coffee, dude. Religion by any other name is the destruction of God's most precious gift: free will.
4 - Andy Marsh
I'm awake...I live less than a mile from Regents University and Robertson and he's never had ANY affect on my life. except maybe that traffic light on Indian River Rd....
I've had more interaction with the local LDS than anyone from Robertson camp!
As far as religion goes...I like Jesse the Gov's take on it...probably said by someone before him...but I heard him say it...organized religion is a sham...
I just don't see Robertson being anywhere near as bad as Osama...but that's just me...
5 - Baronius
Heck of an article. I'm not sure I agree with it all, but you present your case well. Except:
Our differences primarily lie in how we believe these values should be instilled and enforced in society.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam don't necessarily disagree about the relationship between society and religion. They have all had witch-hunters, zealots, and assassins; they've all had wimps. I think the question is, is there something inherent in Islam which makes it more confrontational? I think there is, and that makes it more resistant to its moderates.
6 - Bird of Paradise
Baronius, Thank you for your kind comment. Ironically, I believe that what is "inherent in Islam that makes it more confrontational...and...more resistant to its moderates" is in how Islam "believes these values should be instilled and enforced in society."
7 - Ruvy in Jerusalem
BoP,
Interesting article. I'll mke the following observations.
Both Islam and Christianity have had time to figure out how to implement social policy and have arrived at differing solutions.
Judaism has not really had a shot at dominance until 58 years ago and still seems caught in modes of repwonse that were and are more appropriate to a homeless exile than to a sovereign existence in a national home.
The question of whether this should be a secular or religious society is still an open one, though it is moving to a decision, very possibly a violent one.