The Kingdom Come

It used to be that when America reluctantly but finally became involved in a conflict or a war, the oppressed welcomed our involvement. Our involvement usually meant that the end result was a more stabilized nation that would give more opportunity to more people.

So, why wouldn't Muslims want America's involvement in overthrowing the dictatorial regimes controlling most of the Islamic world?

In a world so neutered, so sissified by political correctness; so "tolerant" of the most debase thoughts and activities where does a person go to find strength against such impotence?

Modern Christianity is often portrayed as a refuge for people barely able to function in life. It is considered the refuge for the weak and dysfunctional.

So, where can a person go to find strength, boldness, and confidence? Christianity used to provide this. It used to be a religion that made people "more than conquerors" in Christ. It used to be a religion that built strong insides and outsides; that is, it transformed the hearts of men and men of hearts into capable, functional, and even superior individuals who built cities and universities, and entire cultures.

In the 15th and 16th centuries Europe experienced a series of world changing revolutions. Christians may think of it as the time when the Protestants opposed the Roman Catholic Church but there was more to it than religious revolution. The populations were over throwing centuries of aristocracy (rule by kings, queens and other "royalty").

More than anything else, this is what appears to be happening in the Middle East, so-called "Arab countries". But it is more than just Arab countries since not all of the nations where these revolts are boiling are actually "Arab". For instance, Iran is mainly Persian with only a 3% Arab population. Bahrain is considered non-Arab.







But clearly, the Islamic world is experiencing a similar time that Europe experienced centuries ago.

History in general is an often manipulated tool since most of us find it boring we easily believe the popular portrayal. For example, the so-called "Dark-Ages" was a period we think of as...well..."dark" or not too enLIGHTened. We think of superstitious religious beliefs holding back advancement in the arts and sciences. Much of this is blamed on Christianity.

To hear the popular portrayal, Christianity held back advancements by suppressing intellectual pursuit. But is this the real story?

Now that it has passed I thought I'd make a few comments on the Qur'an Burning episode (see background here). First, let me say I have read the Qur'an about 4 times through and have extensively studied its background, which is what I wish more people would do before they go around claiming "Islam is a religion of peace". Next, let me say immediately that although I didn't agree with Terry Jones' plan to burn Qur'ans, I think the entire episode has brought out some very useful points of discussion; for Muslims, Christians and all.

Burning Qur'ans just because seemed pointless but if I'd been allowed to interview both Terry Jones and leading Imams (Muslim clergy) I would have asked the following questions.

TO TERRY JONES:

1. Have you ever read a Qur'an? -- Even Paul was familiar with pagan religions of his day and used them against those who held to them. (see Acts 17)
2. Were all of the Qur'ans you intended to burn in English?

TO MUSLIMS:

1. If Jones burns these Qur'ans will he defeat Islam?
2. I thought Qur'ans written in English aren't actually considered legitimate? (since whenever I debate a Muslim they always claim I can't understand the Qur'an unless I read it in Arabic)