12/23/06

It seems Donald Poorman, from the Gazette Letters to the Editor Thursday, December 21, should remember the phrase, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” He has a complete lack of knowledge of Islam and western civilization in general. He asserts that Islam “believes in ... perseverance to doing what is morally correct” and includes “tolerance of other religions.” How does he explain Qur'an 98:6 where it states that those who reject Islam are “the vilest of creatures”? Or Qur'an 47:4 where Allah commands Muslims to “smite the necks” of the “unbelievers”? The translation of even the name Islam means “submission”. Qur'an 9:5 states, “...slay the idolaters wherever ye may find them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free!” Mr. Poorman obviously does not know that the Crusades were in reaction to Islamic violent military invasions of the west by those taking action on those words. That stands in stark contrast to Jesus who said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:44).

Mr. Poorman states that he is a Lutheran but he does not understand that he could not continue to live as a Lutheran in Muslim countries. It is illegal to openly practice any other religion besides Islam in Muslim countries. Christians are routinely oppressed (under dhimmi status) and often killed in those countries. If Christians follow Jesus' words to “make disciples” in all the world they will be under a death sentence under Muslim law. However, in the western countries where Christianity dominates, the Muslims are left alone to practice their religion in any way they see fit. Unfortunately, some of those countries are now regretting that decision (France in particular) as their Muslim populations have recently become violent.

Mr. Poorman should take a look at the news once in a while. If he did, he would notice that there is no outcry from the Muslim community against acts of violence committed in the name of their religion. However, we see great outcry and denunciation from the Christian community when someone claims violence in the name of Christ.

Mr. Poorman would make a great stand-in for a replay of 1938 where Neville Chamberlain, then Prime Minister of the U.K., declared we will have “Peace for our Time” only to be deep into World War II a brief year later. According to Sharia (Muslim law) believers are allowed to lie to non-believers in order to further Islam. That makes treaties worthless and negotiations a major waste of time. There is no reasoning with serious Muslims and Muslim countries for peace as long as they hold to Sharia.

Let's hope people like Mr. Poorman take the time to educate themselves on what Islam is and what the real problems are in this area. I agree with him, “Our country can do so much better.”