Recently, the Arab League reported that “nearly one-third of Arabs are illiterate, including half of Arab women.” The report also points out that “it’s not just the older generation: Three quarters of the 100 million illiterate people in 21 Arab countries are between the ages of 15 and 45.”
By contrast, 99 percent of Americans 15 years and older are literate, according to the latest government figures. Western nations have for centuries had the most literate populations and literacy rates in the US have been among the highest in the world going back as far as the 1600s when it was estimated that “the literacy rate for men in Massachusetts and Connecticut was somewhere between 89 and 95 percent…” And for “women in those colonies it is estimated to have run as high as 62 percent in the years 1681 – 1697.” (Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death, 1985)
Where Christianity spreads, literacy inevitably follows. A Ugandan university study published in 2007 reveals that while “Arab Muslims were the first to introduce written information (texts) in Uganda, they did not make any effort to teach reading and writing… Literacy in the Roman alphabet was introduced into Uganda by Christian missionaries in the late 19th century.” The report goes on to add that within contemporary Ugandan culture, “Christianity provides the impetus for local literacy practices…”
Another study by the Organization of the Islamic Conference on the status of scientific research in its 57 member states reveals a similar shortcoming in the area of scientific accomplishment.
Of the more than 11.5 million scientific papers published worldwide each year; Muslim countries contribute just 2.5 percent. There are more than 1.5 billion Muslims living across the Islamic world — about a quarter of the world's population — and yet they have generated barely more than one percent of the world’s scientific literature and produced only two scientific Nobel Prize winners.
The Islamic approach to healthcare is still largely based on the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. These sayings, in which Muhammad gave his opinions on medical practices, formed the basis for a distinctive and inadequate medical system from the ninth century onward.
There are simply no scientific innovations emerging out of the Islamic world: no space program, no hi-tech developments, no medical breakthroughs—nothing! Islam cannot provide an adequate basis for science because Islam does not embrace the notion that the universe runs along fundamental principles or laws laid down at creation. Allah—unlike the God of Scripture who is both personal and rational—is impersonal and his intrusion upon the world is arbitrary.
In Christianity, God acts upon nature and the world in ways consistent with His special (Scripture) and natural (creation) revelation. In other words, the God of Scripture is a God of order who created according to laws that are universal and thus men could discern these laws and by theorizing based on these fixed laws, gain a greater understanding of creation. This served as the basis of Western science and its preeminence.
Economically, the Islamic world fares no better. In fact, the Gross Domestic product (GDP) of all Arab countries combined stood at just $1.2 trillion in 2005 – less than that of Spain. This pales in comparison to the U.S. GDP of more than $13 trillion! Unemployment among Arab nations, which hovers around 15 percent, is the highest in the world. The source of what little wealth the Arab world does generate is primarily due to oil, which without Western intervention would have remained an unrealized natural resource.
Comments
john 14-6,
I too have enjoyed your comments on Khanson, and agree with most everything you have said, and have enjoyed reading your contributions to this dialogue. You make a good point that most Muslims put up these logically infallible barriers, making it impossible for them to either deny their beliefs or affirm the truth of Christianity (the major one is that the Quran is defacto perfect and complete, and the Bible is defacto corrupt and incomplete, if they start with this premise it is impossible for headway to be made) still we should never give up, their souls are at stake, and the truth of God must be heard.
Also, though I disagree with Patrick's technique for building a real relationship with Christ amongst Muslims, he does make one correct point, which is that many Muslims are either willfully ignorant (logcially infallible barriers) or forced to be ignorant. The vast majority of Muslims in the world fall into the second category. In Egypt (and most Muslim countries) it is illegal to change one's religion, if it is Islam, also many threats are made against Christians and terrorism ensues. The masses are not even allowed to think, let alone hear the true message of the Bible and an open and safe debate between Christianity and Islam. If these Muslims could hear the truth, most would convert very quickly (indeed we are actually seeing this, as Muslim countries are now one of the fastest growing Christian areas).
Patrick is right on this point, he just shouldn't have assumed that such a cursory, and nearly deceptive, approach could provide true conversion. If we really engage issues with the average Muslim, then they will be able to see the truth, for the willfully ignorant, we still debate and pray that God will change them, but unless they start thinking logically, they will always be closed to any new idea.
Patricks idea sounds good, but it is lacking fundamentals. It almost seems to be deceptive. First of all it leaves in tact all of their previous beliefs of Muhammad as the last prophet, and it assumes that the Muslim is going to be unintelligent. Also, if you are going to make a claim that you read the Quran so casually then it would be a good idea to actually read the Quran and know what it says, lest you be asked a question and be exposed. Parts of the method are good, and might serve as a very brief introductory, but I doubt this can build a real and true faith in Christ which is necessary.
The following evangelistic technique was developed by two men who wish to remain anonymous. More than 1600 Muslims have ask our Savior Jesus Christ to forgive them of their
sins using this method. I hope someone will use this technique with the growing number of Muslims in our country.
Raheem Saleeb And Halick Muzoud
Evangelizing A Muslim by Raheem Saleeb And Halick Muzoud
Using the Quran, the Bible and their own prayers (Surah ul Fatihah)
The following technique can be used with any Muslim once they are open to talking about their faith. We have used it with Muslims whom we have befriended through friendship evangelism (going to dinner together, went fishing with the husband, etc., etc.) We also use this technique in our medial outreaches after the patient has been seen and loved up by our medial staff. It works as long as the person is open to talking about their faith.
“Have you read your Quran lately?”
The usual response is no, most Muslims are “cultural Muslims” and don’t read the Quran.
“I have been reading mine and in chapter (surah) 3 verse 49 it says that Isa Almassih (Jesus the Messiah) healed the sick, gave sight to the blind and raised people from the dead!!!”
“In chapter (surah) 5 verse 48 it says that the Quran was sent to confirm the scriptures before it and that Allah guards it safely, so it couldn’t have been changed or altered.”
Side Bar: (The Muslims memorize the first 7 verse of the Quran and are suppose to use the verses in a prayer they are suppose to pray 5 times a day).
“The prayer you pray five times a day has a verse that says “Show me the straight path of the righteous”. In the New Testament, which is guarded from being corrupted, Isa says “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to God except by me.” So, what you pray for everyday, the straight path, Isa says he is.”
“In the Quran Surah 3:55 it says that God ended Isa’s life on earth and raised him to paradise (heaven). Therefore he knows the way to heaven and tells us how to get there in his Gospels or Ingil. In Mark 2:10 it says that Isa has the authority to forgive sin and if you ask him to forgive your sin, you will be given the straight path to paradise when you die.”
“Do you want to stand before Allah on judgment day with your sins unforgiven?”
NO!
Would like to ask Isa right not to forgive you your sins?
Lead them in a prayer of forgiveness!!!!
This is a great article and info. of this nature needs to be circulated on an increased basis, because I can see in our Countrys not so distant future the freedom of speech possibly being yanked with our changing Democracy here.
I have www.joelstrumpet.com and ordered that book of his "Antichrist, Islams awaited Messiah" and I believe this is the scariest book that I`ve ever read,...because of the fact of the careful research by not only himself but ex-jihad-sts and ex- moderate Islam followers also in how closely their coming "messiah" almost LINE FOR LINE, paralells the book of Revelations coming of the antichrist and the false prophet,...and mind you not alot of speculation here,...But alot of documented research, very mind blowing and an easy read for anyone,....
God wants His people to be literate. Moses studied and learned to read and write. All the prophets and apostles were literate.
God has make sure we have schools, vocational centers, and colleges to educate His people. Many ill informed Christians allow their children to decide whether to get an education or not. However, they have been decieved. They are the parent(s) and not the child. God holds them responsible for the child not getting an education while under their roof. Christians are not suppose to have children and be irresponsible.