The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Religious Freedom and Islam

I have a question for you all. What do you think is the extent of religious freedom in the world or in the United States? What I mean, specifically, is in regard to Islam and their religious ideas about slaughtering Christians. I don't buy that stuff about "militant" Islam not being "normative" Islam when they do the things they do to Christians every day. Since the United States' laws were founded upon biblical laws, what should be the extent of our cry for religious liberty in the U.S.? Our religion is what says they shouldn't be able to murder people like that. The Bible is absolute truth recorded, but what to the people that don't see that? How shall we say over their Q'uran that "you shall not murder?"

Ben

What's it cost to join the NRA?

I don't know, but I wouldn't call the NRA as the bastion of conservatism. They will endorse pro abortion candidates and the likes.

Someone else is up late, too! I agree, John. I just said that because too many, having guns, means having defense. It does to me, in a way. That post about the NRA was kind of a joke. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Ben

At the moment I would say that we still enjoy, in this country at least, a remarkable degree of religious freedom compared to the rest of the world. That said, it is far from perfect.

Biblically based laws can only go so far. They can create an environment that enhances belief and practise, but they cannot cause belief. How shall we say to their Qur'anic beliefs that "thou shalt not murder"? By not murdering. By showing them that we value life. By valuing their lives as we value our own. By doing it in the name of Christ, which is easy and lawful to do-- when asked. So Christians need to be so different in the Muslim world as to be asked why they are so different and how they got that way.

There is much more going on in the Islamic world than is reported. It is necessary to have patience, to pray, and to understand that, as in the US, the only way things will change is for the Lord to cause them to change. We need to be assiduous in making sure that our missionaries are not just about proclaiming the Gospel, but that they are committed to nurturing disciples.

Islam is militant, but much more patiently so than Chrsitianity. People like Osama bin Laden are the aberration, but only by their impatience. Would that the same could be said of Christianity.

This topic has always been one where I really can't come up with a solid answer to.
As a Christian I believe all religions other than Christianity are idolatry. However the U.S.A and Canada are not theocracies, so I would have to say that as long as a particular religious group doesn't start doing things against the laws of the land, i.e. murder etc... Then they should be allowed to practice their religion.

I also believe that if Muslims in North America started practicing their religion in the manner it was meant to be practiced, then we would have a serious problem.
We would be forced to round up every single Muslim in the country and deal with them.
I believe this would cause World War 3.

Another problem that we have is that in Islam a Muslim can lie to anyone who is not Muslim.

Tom

Hey everybody already lies to everybody. I don't see that as a major problem.

Ben, I'd like to address your belief America was founded on Christianity. George Washington was a freemason and a deist. As were countless others. The Laws of Nature and of Nature's God, does not imply Jesus Christ. The Capitol building recieved a masonic dedication. The Washington monument and US dollar have masonic emblems. They took bits of Christianity that suited them. Jefferson and his bible are perfect examples.

America could only ever be classified as a Christian nation by the populace. Suggesting the government or laws are Christian or Christian based is dangerous in my opinion.

The Saint

"Hey everybody already lies to everybody. I don't see that as a major problem."

When I said that I was referring to the fact that the Koran says any Muslim can legitimately lie to any infidel for the cause (not exact words).
In Christianity, we can't do that. That doesn't mean that we will not lie, but when we do we are sinning.

Why is this important?
I think it is important because many Western Muslims claim that true Islam is a peaceful religion that nobody should be threatened by. While I don't doubt that many Muslims believe that, it could be possible that they could be saying that to dupe the West into complacency. Then when they are strong enough, they will go for the juggler.

When you stop and think about it, even President Bush has stated that Islam is a peaceful loving religion.

Tom

You are right in saying that many were deist. But if my poor memory serves me correctly, deist were still very religious or very moral. Even though they did not believe one could know God, but one was still responsible and would have to answer to God according to God's laws. (Ok now history students correct me if my brief summation missed the point.)

Dr. Michael Horton's book "Made in America" addresses the religious climate of early America quite well, I highly recommend this book. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/BigThumbUp.gif" alt="" /> It's a good read.

Thank you Tom, I believe I missed your point the first time. Yes, I'd agree with you from experience as well as intellectually. I have had muslim co-workers tell me if Allah told them to kill me they would. Now the problem is that the Koran does tell them to kill me.

When ye encounter the infidels, strike off their heads till ye have made a great slaughter among them, and of the rest make fast the fetters" (Sura 47:4).

rc, I'll cite John 14:6 in reply. No amount of morality outside of Jesus Christ amounts to anything. A deist and agnostic are still pagans.