I have a habit of checking up on ALL "stories" that come my way from the internet Recently, a friend whose intellect and insight I value, sent along a thrice forwarded email the root of which contained the following:
An interesting article..
Allah or Jesus? by Rick Mathes
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for
maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session
there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic,
Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam
gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.
After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked:
"Please,correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and
clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels
of the world.
And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are
assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the
definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he
replied, "Nonbelievers!" I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this
straight.
All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of
your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?"
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that
of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
He sheepishly replied, "Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John
Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr.
Stanley
ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!"
The Imam was speechless.
I continued, "I also have problem with being your friend when you and your
brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a
question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order
to go to Heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to
Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the 'Diversification'
training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing with the Islamic
Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.
I think everyone in the US should be required to read this, but with the
liberal justice system, liberal media, and the ACLU, there is no way this
will be widely publicized. Please pass this on to all your email contacts.
This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known leader in
prison ministry.
There are two things that get me to Snopes.com fast. The Phrase “ This is a true story” and the phrase “Please pass this along to all your email contacts”
And so…..
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/allah.asp
www.snopes.com is a clearing house for internet legends and rumores, True facts and vague factoids. They do their research and they present an unbiased assessment. I highly recommend you add them to your favorites list.
The most obvious point that our friend Mr. Mathes brings to the table with a ration of one sidedness is the notion that protestant and Catholic Religious leaders would never decree a call for the death of infidels.
Umm....can you say Crusades? How about Inquisitions? The Protestants are a little less weighty in the historical guilt factor, I recall a few young ladies in Massachusetts that got kinda hot under the collar for the purification of Salem, but apart from that we don't credit them with much in the way of religious war. Then there is also that classic read, The Old Testemant. Now any fundamental Christian will tell you (and I'll bet Mr Mathes has said this on occasion) "The Word of God is Holy and Correct " Okay, so how about that little band of Pre-Christ followers who in an effort to inform the world that their God was better than all those lower case gods killed a whole friggin bunch of people. I mean SLAUGHTERED them, while singing the praises of Jahovah? (sorry about the run on sentences)
My friend asks in her response to the original email “what is the purpose of this letter”? My answer is that the original writer wants what all strongly religious people want; "To be proven right". And that proof comes in any form that they can get it in. As long as the story has a happy ending for the Good Guys" it needs no refutation or verification. That is why I never forward a story that I haven't checked the source on first.
For myself, I am likely the worst kind of infidel. I think 99% of religions have cooked God right out of their books. And I think that an awful lot of people are going to be incredibly surprised to see some of the faces that will turn up in heaven.
I think God is bigger than we can define, and I am far to spiritually insignificant to play judge and jury on another mans soul. My faith has taught me that God speaks many languages and is known by many names. Most importantly, God is greater than any mans rule book. It is my guise in life to examine my soul before God and make right that which My heart shows me to be sinful in MY life. No One Elses. And that is more than enough of a job to keep me busy. If another soul finds comfort in God through an action of mine, I like to think it is a successful witness. I have never been called by God though, to attempt to strip anyone of there values and supplant them with mine. That is between each of us and God.
Every religion has it's group of trouble makers. And every religion has its group of shining stars. To me, the shining stars are the ones who feed the hungery, cloth the naked, and visit the lonely.They are those who breed fellowship and love. I have seen shining stars in the uniforms of all religions. I hope that God by what ever name they call It, smiles at them with pride.
The trouble makers are the ones who breed discord and anger. They cut the heads off the innocent. They shoot Abortion Doctors with high powered sniper rifles. Some fight to force the notion of God out of Government, while others fight to force their view of their brand of God down the throats of all through Government.
Finally, it comes down to a simple litmus test for me. Anything I am asked to believe in and support must pass to questions only: Does this help me love God ? and does this help me love my neighbor?
The article is interesting. And worth studying. But it does not pass either question for me.
Part I
It’s not often that when someone jokingly says “Now if I only had some Ninja Throwing Stars”, you get to casually walk over to your tool box and hand them an assortment of several styles to choose from.
It is Day Ten of the shoot and we are making a hell of a lot of progress. Something has clicked, and for today at least, we are all smooth cogs in a well oiled machine. All of us except the cows. The cows had other secret rebellious plans for us. As we loaded my rock solid counter part into the truck for a 200 yard away long shot, a black hefer lowed in an unsettling manner. She was the scout. Something was defiantly afoot. Griffon held on valieantly as the V-8 and the shock absorbers argued audibley about weather or not it was a good idea to be blasting a new trail through golden brown pastures of devoted hillocks. He took air once or twice but never left his post as he protected the most insane back pack contraption ever called a prop.
I pulled around the edge of the hill that marked our drop zone and set cattle running for cover. A good twenty or so were set in attack postion reminiscent of the standard gorilla warfare style of the Nijaro Radicals of lower Quebec. Untrained and unprepared, they scattered in a panic. I finished my circuit of the hill and came to a dead stop as an embarrassed ache formed in my gut. Dead ahead at twenty paces, one lone hunk of half ton usda grade A stood with horns glistening in the afternoon sun. The scattered heard had reformed behind us cutting off the way back. We had fallen right into their hands.
Ever try to create your own Palendrome? This one is supplied by Griffon, our go to man on the front lines in the final chapeters of shooting the footage for A.D. Since it is 1:20 and I walked in the door two minutes ago, this is a short entry, but following soon will be my most excellent adventures of the day including "Truck vs Cows and Man vs Cows. (I smell a theme here). Also coing soon to a bog near you: the naked guy with a sledgehammer.....
