Islam

I had to make a decision to start writing on this topic... knowing it would be controversial. Again, I am not looking for a debate nor am I going to cover every possible view on a subject that has been debated for 6000 years. I believe when you stray from the truth, when deception produced by man is allowed to creep into the doctrine, when the majority of followers believe it to be true... we've got a problem. Man (along with Satan's handiwork) is the source of our conflict.

There is a reason why over the course of thousands of years, certain religious groups have resulted in nations and governments of democracy and peace. There is a reason why other religions have resulted in nations and governments of dictators, oppression and conflict. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see that 90% of the 100+ conflicts around the globe are related to oppression by one particular religious belief.

LET ME MAKE THIS VERY CLEAR, and I have stated this several times... There are exceptional, wonderful people of every faith. I've known (and have been friends) with a diverse group of people including a few atheists. I can respect these people, love them, but still believe they are on the wrong path. Please be patient with me until we get into the meat of what I'm wanting to convey.
The entirety of my purpose here is to show you why I believe there is a conflict coming that has been talked about for several thousand years. Why the word talked about the law, fulfillment of the law, and deception of the law. And, how man has corrupted the very word that God gave us in the beginning.

My focus and purpose in writing really revolves around the next 3 religions. I believe the old testament is the truth that God shared with mankind. I believe it is the basis for faith that we are meant to understand. And I believe the direction that these last 3 faiths took is the division that God spoke about thousands of years ago. The division that would result in a building conflict among governments and nations that will be seen in our lifetime if the words are indeed truth.

Overview: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam are three closely related religions because they all revere Abraham and other Old Testament teachings. Although these three religions started with similar beliefs, Islam began to add its own teachings on the framework of the Old Testament based on Muhammad. It is interesting to note that Muslims believe in the virgin birth, heaven and hell and other shared ideals, but instead of promoting love and peace... they have really promoted war and encouraged forced conversion of others to Islam or face war and death. Unfortunately, this is more the rule than the exception.

The name of this religion, Islam, is derived from the word "salam," which means peace. Islam is seriously conflicted in its message with its violent beliefs and call for Jihad against anyone who disagrees with its view. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims believe in one God, heaven and hell, the virgin birth, etc. It is unfortunate that the teachings of Muhammad distorted God's intentions in Old Testament law.

Take this one verse from the Koran which refers to non-muslims:

"Fight for the sake of God! Slay them wherever you find them. Drive them out of their places. Fight against them until idolatry is no more and Islam reigns supreme. We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. If you should die or be slain in the cause of God, His forgiveness and His mercy would surely be better. Never think that those who were slain in the cause of God are dead. Seek out your enemies relentlessly! Cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads... strike off their fingers! "(Suras 2, 3)

Most religious historians view Islam as having been founded in 622 AD by Muhammad the Prophet. He lived from about 570 to 632 AD). The religion started in Mecca, when they say that the angel Jibreel (Gabriel) read the first revelation to Muhammad. Unfortunately, there is no other documentation that indicates Gabriel had any contact outside of what is backed up in the Old Testament. (Mohammed and Muhammed are alternate spellings for his name.) Islam is seen as the youngest of the world's great religions.

Followers of Islam are called Muslims. "Allah" is an Arabic word which means "the One True God." An alternate spelling for "Muslim" that is occasionally used is "Moslim"; it is not recommended because it is often pronounced "mawzlem": which sounds like an Arabic word for "oppressor" (somewhat ironic). Some Western writers in the past have referred to Islam as "Mohammedism"; this is deeply offensive to many Muslims, as its usage can lead some to the concept that Muhammad the Prophet was in some way divine.

There are many interesting (disturbing and troubling) events that have been recorded about Muhammad's birth and childhood. None have historical documentation or witnesses:

His mother, wanting a son of importance and power, said "When he was born, there was a light that issued out of my pudendum and lit the places of Syria." His foster family tells of many experiences of amazingly good luck while he was in their care. As a young child, the family says the angel Jibreel visited the boy, ripped his chest open, removed his heart, extracted a blood clot from it, and returned him to normal. Keep in mind that God ALWAYS provides witnesses to events and points he wants to drive home. For many in the old testament there are literally hundreds or thousands of witnesses. There is nothing to back up any of Muhammad’s experiences.

While still young, he was sent into the desert to be raised by a foster family. He was orphaned at the age of 6 and brought up by his uncle. As a child, he worked as a shepherd. He was taken on a caravan to Syria by his uncle at the age of 9 (or perhaps 12). Later, as a youth, he was employed as a camel driver on the trade routes between Syria and Arabia. Muhammad later managed caravans on behalf of merchants. He met people of different religious beliefs on his travels, and was able to observe and learn about Judaism, Christianity and the indigenous Pagan religions.

After marriage, he was able to spend more time in meditation. At the age of 40, (610 AD), he said he was visited in Mecca by the angel Gabriel. He developed the conviction that he had been ordained a Prophet and given the task of converting his countrymen to his new faith.

He met considerable opposition to his teachings. In 622 AD he moved north to Medina due to increasing persecution. The trek is known as the hegira. Here he was disappointed by the rejection of his message by the Jews. Through religious persecution, oppression of people (especially women), beheadings, persuasion, military activity, wars and political negotiation, Muhammad became a powerful leader in Arabia, and Islam was “established” throughout the area.

During the time of Muhammad's life, and even after it... there was no written texts or documents of the religion. In fact, about 99% of the new faith's Muslim believers were illiterate. 80 Years after the death of Muhammad, a group of followers decided to kidnap two men who were literate and known as writers. One was a Christian priest from Babylon and the other was a Jewish Rabbi. They were threatened with a beheading and told to write a "holy book" for this faith or they would be beheaded!
Let’s just cut through the B.S. for a moment. Do you think that the God of the universe would need to establish his holy book by kidnapping writers (a Christian and a Jew), threatening their lives, and then cutting off their heads??

Sadly, these men were killed anyway, but they did write the Koran as was demanded. Here is what you need to know:

If you study biblical numerology at some point, you will discover the importance and significance of the number 19 in the Jewish faith. As this Rabbi sat in prison writing (in his view) a book of deception, he decided to leave coded messages to the world about the book he was forced to write. To let the world know a Jew actually wrote the texts, he embedded 19 letters, 19 words, 19 verses and 19 chapters in the book. The only two verses that do not follow this are those that say Muhammad is the true God. But that wasn't enough for the clues...

The Jewish Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters in it. So, 22 chapters of the book start with "A-l-m". In the Jewish faith "Alm" means "I do not believe this" or "these words mean nothing". His goal was to discredit his writing and this book of deception.

The Islamic faith is one of breaking of the old testament covenant, based on war, based on oppression of people and women, based on deception, based on fear, and based on power. It certainly has NOT been a religion of peace.

Interesting Side Note: Muhammad started 'receiving' inspiration in 610 AD. Most of his family and close followers thought he had a disease. The episodes resulted in him violently convulsing on the ground and foaming at the mouth. The descriptions of his behavior strangely resemble Grand Mal seizures (or what most people believed was demon possession). He became physically ill and he was actually very troubled by what he was experiencing. Knowing and believing in the Old Testament, Muhammad realized that these ‘visions’ were seriously in opposition to the teachings he was raised with. In fact, he was initially SO conflicted about the information he was given during these episodes, and asked followers and his wife if they were demonic deception or really from Allah. Of course, his wife would not let him speak of his concerns to anyone else and she insisted that he was a prophet.

OK… so you know how I like to cut through the B.S.:) Do you think the God of the universe would reveal his truth through violent episodes? This is not consistent with ANY revelation ever given in the past or later in the new testament.

One needs to contrast the "vision" or "prophecy" given to believers of the faiths. Where the Jews & Christians are given knowledge by visitation by angels or taken "up" in a vision of what is to come... the Muslim prophet convulsed, foamed at the mouth, had sensations of choking to death, and seized uncontrollably for up to several hours which resulted in sickness for several days.

If God wanted to reveal himself to you… reveal the plan he had for mankind, which method do you honestly think he would use? Which method would Satan use? (the great deceiver and liar of old). Islam, the Muslim’s religion is one of works. Your sin behavior is measured on a scale. If you are 51% good, you will go to heaven. This is because the Muslim god 'remembers all sin'. It is interesting to note that the Jewish/Christian God states for believers, "I will remember their sins no more".

Even on his death bed, Muhammad did not know if he was going to heaven.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar which started with the hegira, a 300 mile trek in 622 AD when Muhammad relocated from Mecca to Medina.

A Muslim's duties as described in the Five Pillars of Islam are:

To recite at least once during their lifetime the shahadah (the creed: "There is no God but God and Muhammad is his Prophet"). Most Muslims repeat it at least daily.

To perform the salat (prayer) 5 times a day, if possible. This is recited while orienting one's body towards Mecca. It is done in the morning, at noon, mid-afternoon, after sunset and just before sleeping.

To donate regularly to charity through zakat. This is a 2.5% charity tax on the income and property of middle and upper class Muslims. Believers are urged to make additional donations to the needy as they feel moved.

To fast during the month of Ramadan. This is believed to be the month that Muhammad received the first revelation of the Koran from God. If economically and physically able, to make at least one hajj (pilgrimage) to Mecca.

Jihad is a call to fight against non-Muslims in the defense of Islam.

Traditional Christians and Muslims have certain beliefs in common concerning Jesus. The difference in this is quite obvious. Because the works of Jesus were witnessed by hundreds, even thousands of people. There are secular texts and biblical writings that correlate. Unlike Muhammad’s experiences that had no witnesses to back them up. So, Muslims agree with Christians about Jesus, that:

• His birth was miraculous.
• He cured people of illness.
• He restored dead people to life.

However, they obviously differ from Christians in a number of major areas. Muslims DO NOT believe:

-In original sin (that everyone inherits a sinful nature because of Adam and Eve's transgression)
-That Jesus was killed during a crucifixion. Muslims believe that he escaped being executed, and later reappeared to his disciples without having first died.
-That Jesus was resurrected (or resurrected himself) circa 30 AD.
-Salvation is dependent either upon belief in the resurrection of Jesus (as in Paul's writings) or belief that Jesus is the Son of God (as in the Gospel of John).

The War On Terror: Due to the current conflicts in Iraq, Iran and the Middle East, one needs to review teachings of Islam to fully understand what has happened. The US government is cautious to say this is a war against Islam. Unfortunately, the events since 9/11 are typical of Islamic Jihad as instructed by Mohammad.

Only in the USA is Islamic Jihad a "theory". In every country across the world Jihad is practiced and exalted.

Jihad is a 'Holy War'. Any Muslim that converts to another religion is to be killed. Muslims believe they should kill any 'infidels' (Jews and Christians) if they will not convert. Muslims believe they should kill innocent women and children. This is the teaching of Islam and it cannot be sugar coated no matter how you look at it. There are peace-loving Muslims all over the world, but their teachings promote just the opposite.

There are 3 levels to Jihad:
1) Shock: Remove the enemy from his comfort zone.
2) Vulnerability: Let the enemy know they are susceptible to attack.
3) Humiliation: Make the enemy the weaker vessel.

It was necessary for the world to fight against these attacks in a timely fashion, and without letting up. According to Islamic Jihad, a strong enemy is to be engaged but a weak enemy is to be overtaken.

It is interesting to note that Muslims are to lead a pure life, free from sexual immorality. However, the reward for being a martyr or killing the 'enemy' is immediate glorification in the highest level of paradise (heaven). All of the sins committed to do their terror are forgiven immediately at death. The ends justify the means in every case. When the individual gets to heaven. They will have 70 virgins at their beck and call (it appears that Muslim women are simply out of luck in the afterlife!). In fact, they insist that hell will be occupied 2/3 by women! Less than 1/3 of women go to heaven.

The Islamic paradise is described in great sensual detail in the Koran and the Traditions; for instance, Koran sura 56 verses 12 -40 ; sura 55 verses 54-56 ; sura 76 verses 12-22; sura 56 verses 12- 39:

"They shall recline on jeweled couches face to face, and there shall wait on them immortal youths with bowls and ewers and a cup of purest wine (that will neither pain their heads nor take away their reason); with fruits of their own choice and flesh of fowls that they relish. And theirs shall be the dark-eyed houris, chaste as hidden pearls: a guerdon for their deeds... We created the houris and made them virgins, loving companions for those on the right hand..."

The Prophet Muhammad was heard saying via Hadith number 2,562 in the Sunan al-Tirmidhi says,

"The reward for the people of Heaven is 80,000 servants and 72 women, over which stands a dome of pearls, aquamarine and ruby." The whole thing is skewed toward the male idea of a good time. You have to admit, the Islam heaven as Party Central sure beats the Christian idea of angels with harps.
Modern apologists of Islam try to downplay the evident materialism and sexual implications of such descriptions, but, as the Encyclopaedia of Islam says, even orthodox Muslim theologians such as al Ghazali (died 1111 AD) and Al-Ash'ari (died 935 AD) have "admitted extreme sensual pleasures in paradise".

OK. Time to take a breather. Let’s think about this. Even if you have a wee bit of knowledge of the Old Testament, doesn’t it seem strange that Islam takes their basis of knowledge and then heads off in the completely opposite direction? Newer writings (like the new testament) are not meant to replace the old… but enhance it. Do you REALLY believe that the God of the universe would set up a reward system based on sex and wine... on excesses? Or does this sound like a religion that once again distorted the truth and was designed my males of the species?

With Islam, the only way to 'assure' one's going to heaven is to be a martyr. Surviving family members are always provided for by fellow Muslims. The family is taken care of with a agreed to amount of money to buy their martyrdom. With this kind of reward for homicide bombers and murderers, it is easy to see there is no shortage of willing participants. These are not 'freedom fighters'. They are fighting to keep people in bondage. Always have.

Islam takes the Old Testament, then heads off in an entirely different direction with the views of Muhammad. It seriously contradicts itself at this point. There is mounting evidence from historical documents that indicate Muhammad had some type of seizure disorder, or was possibly demonically possessed. Regardless, man took something good and then distorted it to fit his needs. We are beginning to see a disturbing pattern when man starts to make up the rules.

Final Thoughts: We’re really just getting started. But do you remember what God told us? There would be a basis for faith given to man (the Old Testament). Remember that we were told there would be those that received the “law”. Then there would be a group that had freedom as the “law was fulfilled”. And finally, there would be a group that would take the original teachings and twist it so that there would be a “deception of the law”. As we approach the time of conflict among the 3 religions and the nations, which group do you feel Islam fits into?

Next: We’ll look at the people that received the original law. The Jewish faith.