Subscribe to our BlogIs Humankind Guided Under an Umbrella of the Battle Over the Books?
By Shelley Smith
As the Bible and the Koran continue to influence human events, can the urging of the spread of the Word spark further fierce global conflicts in the future?
President Bush is urging a push for Mideast peace to fight against terrorism and extremists who seek new weapons and new operatives to overthrow governments and attack the U.S., while public views and terrorist recruitment are still being strongly influenced by the battle over the Bible vs. the Koran
The commonality of Christians and Muslims both being the “people of the book” has turned into a marketing battle and a playing field for distortions of scripture of the Holy Books.
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With Christianity and Islam influencing public opinion, how the Books’ scriptures are interpreted play a key role in the complexities of terrorist beliefs and actions. The Koran is the most widely read book in the Islamic world and reciting the Koran is the backbone of Muslim education. In Iran, if an Iranian becomes a human repository or “hafiz” of the book, they qualify for an automatic university degree. Reciting the Koran has been an Iranian tournament in the Islamic world that attracts hundreds of thousands of Muslims.
The tools of technology through modernization have helped spread the books of the Bible and the Koran. Christian conversion is wide spread, but Islamic expansion has mostly come about through population growth and global migration, rather than conversion.
But there is a difference between Christian missionary works and that of Muslim missionary works. While Christian missionaries work to win the souls of others and reinvigorate the faithful, Muslim missionaries work to not just reinvigorate the faithful, but encourage zealotry towards their religion and are less aimed at the winning of new souls.
The other difference that further divides the Christian and Muslims through the teachings comes through the Saudi view. Through the Saudi view they do stress the passages that affirm the Christian Gospel and the Hebrew Torah as revelations of God and a path to salvation, but insist Muhammad delivered the final revelation from God, but Christianity and Judaism lost their ability to save souls.
Wealth and globalization through the Internet, television and radio is a bonanza to both religions. Saudi oil wealth distributes approximately 30m Koran through a vast network of mosques, Islamic societies and embassies to increase the weight of Islam. With Al- Qaeda terrorist video messages now available for download from militant Web sites to help terrorist organization and their followers spread the group’s messages of their interpretation of Islam and monotheism to make international audiences more aware of their movement; this does not help the Muslim faithful who do follow the peaceful interpretation of their Islamic faith or those Muslims who work against terrorist actions or motives. As the “war on terror” has disrupted Missionary organizations, Christian and Muslims are finding it difficult to spread the word. The Muslim use of technology and internet publishing providers are making the literal translation of the Koran uncomfortable for the Muslims. Then too, many American’s are lacking in both the understanding of Christian and Islamic biblical knowledge. As the Muslims prefer to read the Koran in the original Arabic, many Muslims find it is difficult to understand and illiteracy rates are high throughout the Muslim world. Then there is the problem of the production of counterfeit Korans that are designed to plant doubt in the minds of Muslims as some Christian groups try to convert Muslims. Also, within this uneven playing field in the U.S., Muslims can build mosques, but in Saudi Arabia and Iran the Bible is barred from distribution.
While there is a difference between getting and understanding a Holy Book there lays the problem too of the laws that rule under the Muslim religion against Christian apostasy in many parts of the world. Many Christians lack the understanding of Islamic religious law. The traditional Islamic law states to encourage the Islamic faithful to renounce their faith is a crime and the penalty for apostasy by a Muslim is death. Without an educated understanding, knowledge and an acceptable respect of each others cultures and religions, the possibility of peace and “the lamb lying with the lion” will continue to not exist. Global terrorism and related criminal activities that are correlated with religion will continue to thrive based on misinterpretation and the will not to settle differences.
Sources:
The Battle of the Books - Economist.com, Dec. 2007
Peace Plan, Iran on Bush Mideast Agenda, AP Jan 2008
al-Qaida Videos Now on Cell Phones AP, Jan 2008
The Harvest Fields: Statistics 2007 Edition
About the Author Shelley Smith is an expert in analysis and research on national and international law, foreign affairs, criminal justice systems and the psychology of criminal behavior. Smith is currently working toward a B.A in Intelligence Studies with a focus on analysis and terrorism at American Military University.
Comments
Shelly,
Interesting piece! Not many folks are willing to address the issue which you seem to have willingly thrown out into the open for public debate. Good for you. I respect your courage.
However, I read your article three times in an attempt to clarify where there is an issue over the distortion of “Holy Books”. I fail to see where terrorist recruitment is being strongly influenced by the ‘battle over the Bible vs. the Qur’an’.
While some “fringe groups” posing as Christians might be attempting to recruit people on what they say is their biblical birthright, inheritance, master race, etc., that is false. An objective person could easily open the Bible and read that God has a plan for salvation for all mankind that does not require a call to physical arms, conquest of territories, or conversion at the tip of the sword. In fact, the Bible speaks very clearly to the opposite,
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. [1]
If the God of the Bible wanted Christians to take up arms to further His Kingdom, would he have not required as much from His Messenger, Jesus the Messiah?
In fact, when faced with the opportunity to take up arms and fight for His cause, even ‘save’ His human life, Jesus delivered this rebuke to Peter who had just cut off the ear of a guard coming to arrest his rabbi (Jesus),
….Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?" [2]
Immediately after this and prior to being taken away by his cohorts, Jesus healed the man’s ear.
Jesus commanded His disciples to go into the world and preach the Gospel (good news of salvation from the penalty for our sins, i.e. eternity separated from God [hell]) by repenting of one’s sins, confessing Jesus as Lord and Savior, and committing to a life of obedience to Him. John 14:6 says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Taken in its entirety, John 14 would be a chapter that Muslims would say qualifies Christians as “polytheists” or ‘Al-Mushrikoon’ (guilty of aligning others with God), and thereby condemned to Hell (at the very least).
Bible believing Christians believe that Jesus was God in the flesh; Emmanuel, or God with us. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, and on the third day rose again to prove that He alone had the power over life and death. Christians believe, amongst other things, that the life of Jesus is the role model for them to strive to follow.
Similarly, pious Muslims strive to follow the example of the life of their prophet, Muhammad. Muhammad claimed that he was the final (or seal of the prophets) prophet, and his life was to be the example for all Muslims to follow.
Muslims believe that the Qur’an is the direct word of Allah from his mouth to Muhammad’s pen. There is no room for interpretation outside of the literal, printed text. Pious (and even as some might say moderate)Muslims take very seriously the idea of re-writing the Qur’an to change its’ text or meaning. I cannot blame them.
Unfortunately, Allah’s message to Muhammad was much different than the message that Jesus gave Peter (and all Christians) that night in Gethsemane;
Fighting is prescribed upon you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be Companions of the Fire and will abide therein. [3]
Although I am not an Islamic scholar, these verses contain some serious implications for Muslims. It is implied that a Muslim can turn from their faith and die in unbelief- and then be committed to hell! In fact, it should be noted that Muhammad himself was concerned for his eternal well being. As he lied on his deathbed (from illness, not injuries sustained during Jihad), Muhammad told his followers to pray for him and Allah’s mercy to be upon him. That is why, to this very day, Muslims, when mentioning Muhammad, say the term, (PBUH) or “peace be upon him.” Sadly, they still cannot tell you for sure they know where Muhammad’s soul is spending eternity.
Whereas Jesus commanded Christians to be the salt and the light and to spread the message of reconciliation and peace with God through Jesus Christ, Muhammad was adamant that his followers not make friends, trust, or take as protectors, people of other religions;
O ye who believe! if any from among you turn back from his Faith, soon will Allah produce a people whom He will love as they will love Him, lowly with the Believers, mighty against the Rejecters, fighting in the Way of Allah, and never afraid of the reproaches of such as find fault. That is the Grace of Allah, which He will bestow on whom He pleaseth. And Allah encompasseth all, and He knoweth all things.
Your (real) friends are (no less than) Allah, His Messenger, and the (Fellowship of) Believers, those who establish regular prayers and regular charity, and they bow down humbly (in worship). [4]
This passage is one of the main reasons that it is difficult to spread the Gospel message in Muslim lands, not America’s “War on Terror”.
It is not only Bibles that are banned in Iran and Saudi Arabia; it is also illegal to even build a church.
Jesus taught in Synagogues, on mountains and boats, and even in the homes of tax collectors! He healed the blind, lame, and sick- he raised the dead!. He forgave Peter even after he denied knowing Jesus on three different occasions! He offered His gift freely to Romans, gentiles, Samaritans, and Jews alike. It is an offer the He still extends to this day.
Conversely, Allah told Muhammad,
Or think ye that ye shall be abandoned, as though Allah did not know those among you who strive with might and main, and take none for friends and protectors except Allah, His Messenger, and the (community of) Believers? But Allah is well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
It is not for such as join gods with Allah, to visit or maintain the mosques of Allah while they witness against their own souls to infidelity. The works of such bear no fruit: in Fire shall they dwell.
The mosques of Allah shall be visited and maintained by such as believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish regular prayers, and practise regular charity, and fear none (at all) except Allah. It is they who are expected to be on true guidance. [5]
And when preaching an all inclusive plurality that allows humans to choose for themselves whether or not to follow a god (let alone The God), Muhammad gave these timeless instructions that are not open to interpretation or reformation;
Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. The Jews call 'Uzair a son of Allah, and the Christians call Al-Masih the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (in this) they but imitate what the Unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the Truth! [6]
This underscores the true nature of the battle that the world faces today. It is not between the Bible and the Qur’an, but between the author of the Bible and the author of the Qur’an.
They cannot both be true. The Qur’an is the only ‘holy’ book that spends time insulting and demeaning other religions.
The Bible opens the door to God’s revelation of Himself over the course of thousands of years. Yet, His character, nature, and message never change.
Man has sinned and God has provided a way to be saved. If man chooses, the door is open for him. If not, man is free to live with his choice and consequences.
It is between the man, and his Creator.
1 John 2: 22-23 says, “Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.” The Qur’an denies Jesus Christ.
The Qur’an purports to be uttered directly from the angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad. Under Sha’ria (Quranic) law, unbelievers, infidels, and polytheists, have the option to convert to Islam, submit to being a second class human being, or pay the Jizya (poll tax), to ensure their protected (dhimmi) status. [6]
Christians know that this war is not about territory, buildings, or riches; “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” [7]
Whereas Allah has instructed the Muslims that,
Not equal are those Believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) hath Allah promised good: but those who strive and fight hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward. Ranks specially bestowed by Him and Forgiveness and Mercy, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [8]
It must be made clear that the “GWOT” is not a crusade against Islam. The statistical evidence has shown that the majority of Muslims are not actively engaged in the fundamentalist/ Jihadist practice of Islam anymore than Americans are engaged in the fundamentalist practice of Christianity!
The true global war is that which is on for men's souls.
Global warming, global terror, bird flu, hurricanes, and tsunami's will come and go.
Eternity will not change, and there are only two sides to be on.
References
[1] The Holy Bible. Ephesians. 2:4-9
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=56&chapter=2&version=31
[2] The Holy Bible. Matthew 26: 50-54
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=26&version=31
[3] Qur’an. Sura 2: 216-217 http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/dispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=2&nAya=216&t=eng&l=eng
[4] Qur’an. Sura 5:54-55 http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/dispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=5&nAya=54&t=eng&l=eng
[5] Qur’an. Sura 9: 16-18 http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/dispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=9&nAya=16&t=eng&l=eng
[6] Qur’an. Sura 9 http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/dispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=9&nAya=29&t=eng&l=eng
[7] The Holy Bible. Ephesians 6:12
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206;&version=31;
[8] Qur’an. Sura 4:95-96http://quran.al-islam.com/Targama/dispTargam.asp?nType=1&nSora=4&nAya=95&t=eng&l=eng
Posted by: Maxwell Smart | January 17, 2008 8:32 AM