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Opinion|Wed, Aug. 22 2007 05:47 PM EDT

Not the Time to Cut and Run

By D. James Kennedy, Ph.D.|Christian Post Guest Columnist

Islam is the world’s second largest religion behind Christianity, but many Americans remain ignorant as to what its 1.3 billion followers are taught in Islam’s holy book, the Qur’an.

Here is a sampling of what the Qur’an teaches, along with the chapter (Surah) and verse in which it is found:

• Muslims must fight until their opponents submit to Islam (Surah 9:29);
• A man may beat his wife (Surah 4:34) and have up to four wives at the same time (Surah 4:3);
• Stealing is punished by the amputation of the hands (Surah 5:38);
• Resisting Islam is punishable by death, crucifixion, amputation, or imprisonment (Surah 5:33).

This is hardly what you would call a religion of peace!

As early as the seventh century, Muslim forces led campaigns to spread Islam across the Middle East. At one time the Islamic Empire eclipsed that of the Roman Empire. However, attempts by Muslim forces to push their way into Christian Europe were stymied by the famous 732 a.d. Battle of Tours in France. Charles Martel, popularly known as “Charles the Hammer,” led this battle against the Muslim armies and is largely credited for preventing Europe from succumbing to Islam’s control.

Today, militant Islamists are back and willing to lay down their lives to destroy both Europe and America. The president of Iran has promised that, “The wave of the Islamic revolution will soon reach the entire world.”

Now is not the time to cut and run. Now is not the time for retreat. We need patriots and Christians like “Charles the Hammer,” to rise up and oppose those who would destroy this country.

Rick Mathes, chairman of Mission Gate Prison Ministry in Missouri is a real Christian patriot standing up for the truth. Several years ago Mathes participated in a training session in which Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim clerics explained their respective beliefs to inmates.

Afterwards, during a question and answer period, Mathes asked the Muslim imam this question: “I understand that most imams and clerics of the Islamic faith have declared a holy jihad (that is a 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’?”

As Mathes recounts, the imam answered immediately: “A non-believer.”

“So, let me make sure I have this straight,” Mathes said. “All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith, so that they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?”

The imam sheepishly answered: “Yes.”

Mathes, not surprisingly, told the imam he had a problem with being his friend when he, his fellow clerics and followers, wanted to kill him.

“Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you 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 there with me?” Mathes asked.

The imam offered no answer.

There needs to be more champions like Mathes who are willing to stand against those who spread deceptive teachings. I believe such patriots exist. I also believe that America is not going to cut and run. I believe that we are going to take our stand and defeat the plans of the unrighteous. The future of our nation depends on it.

Adapted from Dr. Kennedy’s message “Days of Patriotism.”

_________________________________________________

D. James Kennedy, Ph.D., is senior minister of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, and president of Coral Ridge Ministries, an international Christian broadcast outreach.

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  • Sat Mar 14, 2009 8:57 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    I wish the writer had not taken the portion of the verses out of Kuran to make his point. 1st of all Kuran was revealed 1400 yrs ago. Many of its verses by Allah (God is English word which new language, Jesus did not use the word God, He used the word "Allahu" very close to Allah) were revealed to take care of issues at that time. Unfortunately we compare Islam with West not with Christianity. Thatâ

  • Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:50 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    "Charles Martel, popularly known as "Charles the Hammer," led this battle against the Muslim armies and is largely credited for preventing Europe from succumbing to Islam's control".

    Charles Martel endeavoured to restore the rights of the Catholic hierarchy. He rendered crucial assistance to Christian Civilization. It was his descendant, Charlemagne, who became the first Holy Roman Emperor and rendered an even greater service. My advice, if you are going to use him as an example, is to strengthen the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Ronald Reagan went a long way by setting up diplomatic ties but there is still much work to be done. History shows us what needs to be done, but we have to be united.

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