The
other day I became involved in an online exchange between a couple of Americans
and an obvious supporter of Islam. It began with a picture I posted depicting a
liberal hippy and a jihadist with their arms around each other while standing
on top of a pile of dead bodies and the US flag. The liberal hippy holds a sign
that says "Stop Fascist War on Terrorism," and the jihadist holds a
rope attached to a burka-clad woman who is trying to reach out to a distant
Statue of Liberty. Behind the two grinning men the world is burning.
A
fellow posted below the picture "And shortly after, he cut his head
off," and the Islamist apologist responded by downplaying the effect of
terrorism on the world while accusing the US military of exterminating hundreds
of thousands of people in the name of the 'war on terror'. The conversation
continued as the Islamist cited reasons why Jihad was justified against the
United States due to our brutal and savage invasion and interference in the
affairs of Muslim countries. The exchange was lively to say the least, and in
all fairness I have to commend all who participated for their steadfastness and
dedication to their beliefs, even the Jihadist, although I wasn't drinking his
Kool-Aid at all. If you like, you can read the entire debate here.
What
really cranked my tractor was when the apologist justified the killing of
civilians and other innocents on 9-11 by calling it 'blowback.' I responded by
saying " 'Blowback' must be ok in Islam. Christians are told to turn
the other cheek. Radical Christians kill abortion doctors. Radical Muslims are
justified in killing infidels for a variety of reasons, not in the least being
that infidels are merely not Muslim. 'Blowback' is justified in Islam because
when you get down to the nuts and bolts, Islam is a violent religion. Yeah, we
Americans have some pretty violent nut-jobs, but our religions and governments
don't sanction stoning, decapitation, crucifixion and body dismemberment. Yeah,
some of our states have the death penalty, but we almost always use that option
only on those who do evil acts. Sharia law allows for death to those who oppose
a man's honor. This isn't a matter of apples and oranges. It's a matter of fresh
and rotten. God said "Vengeance is Mine," not "Vengeance is
yours to do as you wish." With all due respect, Islam can stick 'blowback'
where the moon don't shine. With all due respect."
I want to take this opportunity
to apologize for saying 'Islam can stick blowback where the moon don't shine.'
That was inappropriate and uncalled for, and violated about fourteen rules of
debate and etiquette. I should have said 'RADICAL Islam can stick blowback
where the moon don't shine.' I honestly do not have any ill will toward the
average God-loving-daily-praying-five-pillars-following Muslim. I believe fervently
that the majority of Muslims are not fully aware of the diabolical agenda of
Jihadists, and do not understand the twisted logic these monsters have by
following their interpretation of the Qur'an. Why do I believe this about the
average Muslim? Because if they are anything like most Christians, they pick at
the scriptures like chickens feed and attend services once a week more for
socializing than sincere worship.
But this is where the
similarities diverge. When lip-service Christians becomes devout, they begin a
journey led by the Spirit of Christ which will transform them into Grace-worthy
members of the body of Christ, praising and worshipping God while continuing to
grow in understanding and love. When lip-service Muslims becomes devout, they begin
to read more of the Qur'an and hadiths, including the darker side which
condones violence against women, marriage to children, rape and sodomy, and
forcing non-believers to convert or be killed. They begin to listen to the
voices of purely evil radicalized Imams telling them it is their duty to kill
as many non-believers as possible, and how wonderful paradise will be if they
become a martyr in the process. They adopt an attitude of hatred, revenge and a
total disregard for life.
I have Muslim friends. I also
have Hindu, Buddhist and Atheist friends. I don't agree with their beliefs, I
think they are as wrong as wrong can be. I believe that God assumed a human
form in the name of Jesus and lived a sinless life and gave Himself up to be
crucified as the ultimate sacrifice for all our sins, then rose from the dead
three days later to defeat Satan and conquer death so that all who believe on
Him should be cleansed by His blood and have eternal salvation. I believe Jesus
when he said "I am the way, the truth, and the light; no one comes to the
Father but through Me." I know that my redeemer lives. But I WILL NOT
force others to my belief through threat of death. I WILL NOT slaughter those
who don't follow my religion. I WILL NOT treat women like cattle. I WILL NOT
condone murderous revenge against my enemy. I WILL NOT judge others, because
then I'll be judged. I WILL love God with all my body, heart, mind and spirit,
and love my neighbors as myself, even if they are Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and
Muslim.
So while I apologize for my
inappropriate comment, of which I am profoundly sorry, I remain steadfast in my
belief that the justification for mass murder and terrorism because of
'blowback,' or revenge against military action done by the US military against
agents of evil disguised as religion is decidedly WRONG. Personally, I think
war stinks. I think most politicians and power hungry fanatics should be relocated
to a deserted island. I think worshipping God should result in love for ALL my
fellow beings. I think any religion that condones harming others should be
moved to that same island. I think John Lennon was right when he said we should
give peace a chance. I think God's Mercy and Grace abounds. I think we should
get around to the business of loving one another and cut out all the hatred and
divisiveness. I think it can happen. I think NOW is the best time for that to
happen.