26 February 2009 by Brian.

For those who haven’t heard, the word ‘Islam’ actually means, “submission.”  The idea is that one submits themselves entirely to Allah.  Now, I have no argument with submitting oneself entirely to God…but the character and nature of the God to whom we submit makes (literally) a world of difference.

Wherever Islam is present, submission is required.  In fact, in contrast to Christianity, the reason for the submission isn’t nearly as important as the fact of submission itself.  So, one can submit voluntarily, under duress, or resist and incur the wrath of Allah as executed by his servants (Warning: side effects may include property destruction, rape, and/or sudden and violent death.)

This FoxNews article relates the brilliant strategy of pacification (which looks suspiciously like submission to me) being employed in Pakistan in response to the violent attacks which had been occurring in that region.

“Amir Haider Khan Hoti, the chief minister for the North West Frontier Province, said authorities would impose Islamic law in Malakand region, which includes the Swat Valley. Swat is a one-time tourist haven in the northwest where extremists have gained sway through brutal tactics including beheading residents, burning girls schools and attacking security forces.
“He said the laws would only be implemented when the valley was peaceful.”

I’m not the smartest guy in the world, but I know that when one of my children throws a tantrum, if I enjoy it and want to see another tantrum in the future, then I give them the thing they’d wanted, couldn’t obtain, and which resulted in the tantrum.  So…how did these militants react?  To no one’s surprise:

“The Swat Taliban said Sunday they would observe a 10-day cease-fire in support of the peace process. They welcomed Monday’s announcement, which did not mention any need for the militants to give up arms.
‘Our whole struggle is for the enforcement of Shariah (Islamic) law,” Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said. “If this really brings us the implementation of Shariah, we will fully cooperate with it.’”

I, for one, am glad that’s all over with!  Good thing they didn’t ask them to give up any of their arms.  That would’ve simply prolonged the illegal violence.  I’m sure everyone feels much better, knowing that from now on, almost all of the violence will be legal!
Jesus said that the gates of Hell would not prevail against His kingdom.  We need to pray for believers in Pakistan and elsewhere in the Muslim world whose homes share a wall with these gates.  These brothers and sisters endure terrible conditions, often having to work menial jobs, even though they have Masters’ degrees, M.D.’s, etc., and face obstacles at every turn.  Those are the good days.  Physical violence, torture at the hands of the government, alienation, and death are real possibilities for them, simply because they have chosen to accept Jesus’ offer of salvation and a relationship with God through Him.
I urge you to pray for missionaries and for the church in the Muslim world.

Posted in Community, Social Injustice, Social Justice, Politics, Evil, Leadership, Missionaries, Missions, Religious fanaticism, Radicalism, Biblical Worldview, Contemporary Christianity, Islam, Spirituality, Morals, Religion, Morality, Sanctity of Life | No Comments »

4 February 2009 by Brian.

Due to the demands of work and family life, my posts had already become infrequent last fall before Thanksgiving.  The Saturday after Thanksgiving, I came down with pneumonia and as you know, I’ve been completely absent since then.  So, as an effort to break the ice again, I offer you the following quote.

“And since the egg-bird-egg sequence leads us to no plausible beginning, is it not reasonable to look for the real origin somewhere outside the sequence altogether?  You have to go outside the sequence of engines, into the world of men, to find the real originator of the rocket.  Is it not equally reasonable to look outside Nature for the real Originator of the natural order?”

- C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

Posted in Humanism, Naturalism, Quotes, Biblical Worldview, Sanctity of Life | 2 Comments »