Once again Loki has seized the opportunity to criticize my faith, instead of really addressing what I'm asking. What right do you (Loki) have to tell me what is right and what is wrong? You are not God, you don't know what is in my heart, you do not know what I truly believe. All you have is your own biases and you judge people without knowing them. That is precisely why I asked Aineo to answer my question, because he seems to give feedback without incorporating his own biases. I knew you would bring up Malcolm X. You seem to have forgotten that after he made Hajj, and he saw all the different types of people in Mecca, he realized his views of the white society were wrong, and therefore the views of the Nation of Islam. He severed his relations with them and began preaching about peace and the bonds of humanity, and for that the Nation of Islam killed him. Fortunately for Malcolm X he was able to change his views in the end. Who was Martin Luther King killed by. Aineo gave me a direct answer, There is racism, especially in the Catholic branch of Christianity against people of color. I think there is a better chance of there being a black or female president of the United States then there is of there being a black pope. There is a reason images of God should not be produced.
Ever heard of the Willie Lynch theory? A man named Willie Lynch (where the term lynching came from) proposed a theory to keep blacks from uprising against their slave owners, and also this theory would keep them divided for centuries. Willie Lynch was diabolical, but he was smart (sad to say). He used religion to perpetuate this theory. Tell the lighter slaves they are better than the darker ones, tell all the slaves they are inadequate and not capable of god's love because they are do not look like this image of god.
"Gentlemen, I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest methods of control of slaves.
Ancient Rome would envy us if my program were implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we cherish. I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of woods as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers you are here using the tree and the rope on occasion.
I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree a couple of miles back. You are not only losing a valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, you suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed.
Gentlemen, you know what your problems are: I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them. In my bag here, I have a fool proof method for controlling your Black slaves. I guarantee everyone of you that if installed correctly it will control the slaves for at least 300 hundred years. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it.
I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves: and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences, and think about them.
On top of my list is "Age", but it is there only because it starts with an "A": the second is "Color" or shade, there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantations, status on plantation, attitude of owners, whether the slave live in the valley, on hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, coarse hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences. I shall give you an outline of action-but before that I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust and envy is stronger than adulation, respect, or admiration.
The Black slave after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self re-fueling and self generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands. Don't forget you must pitch the old Black male vs. the young Black male, and the young Black male against the old Black male. You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves and the light skin slaves vs. the dark skin slaves. You must use the female vs. the male, and the male vs. the female. You must also have your white servants and overseers distrust all Blacks, but it is necessary that your slaves trust and depend on us. They must love, respect and trust only us.
Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. If used intensely for one year, the slaves themselves will remain perpetually distrustful. Thank you, gentlemen."
I am tired of being attacked for my faith. If Christians want people to join them, they sure don't do it in a kind and welcoming way. Islam is not a barbarous religion, and prophet Muhammad is not a barbarian. He did not go around killing people to spread Islam. He fought against those who fought against Muslims, we cannot strike first, but we are to fight if we are being persecuted. The people of Mecca did not believe in prophet Muhammad's message, so they sought to destroy him. He was speaking out against their idols, and he was destroying their way of life because the idols brought business into Mecca and made them wealthy. People would c ome from all over to worship the idols and to trade with the Meccans. There were two classes, the very rich and the very poor. The prophet eliminated this class distinction, which led to war.
Durin the prophet's lifetime there were not many Muslims, however after his death Islam spread and an astounding speed. Only in Arabia did war occur in regards to the spread of Islam. Islam did not coerce people to convert. Many continued to remain Jews and Christians and to this day important communities of the followers of these faiths are found in Muslim lands.
The Muslim world has been under colonial rule for quite some time. At the height of European colonial expansion in the 19th century, most of the Islamic world was under colonial rule with the exception of a few regions such as the heart of the Ottoman empire, Persia, Afghanistan, Yemen and certain parts of Arabia. But even these areas were under foreign influence or, in the case of the Ottomans, under constant threat. After the First World War with the breakup of the Ottoman empire, a number of Arab states such as Iraq became independent, others like Jordan were created as a new entity and yet others like Palestine, Syria and Lebanon were either mandated or turned into French colonies. As for Arabia, it was at this time that Saudi Arabia became finally consolidated. As for other parts of the Islamic world, Egypt which had been ruled by the descendents of Muhammad Ali since the l9th century became more independent as a result of the fall of the Ottomans, Turkey was turned into a secular republic by Ataturk, and the Pahlavi dynasty began a new chapter in Persia where its name reverted to its eastern traditional form of Iran. But most of the rest of the Islamic world remained under colonial rule.
The Influence of Christianity has touched all parts of the world, this world is primarily a Christian world. People such as the Indians, both Native Americans and South American, the Africans, the Ethiopains and so many more. I find it ironic that the Africans were forced to covert to Christianity when they were brought to (many of them were Muslims) but yet to this day still find themselves discriminated against by fellow Christians who are supposed to be their brothers!
Hundred of thousands of American?Indians are Christians today because the Christian missionaries converted their ancestors against their will.
In Europe, it was the same thing. When Rome controlled most of the world, the Roman Emperor, Constantine, in 325 CE forced Christianity onto his subjects.
The people of Lithuania did not become Christians because they read the Gospels and decided to accept their teachings. On the contrary, the people of Lithuania were forced into Christianity against their will, as a result of relentless military force! And there are constant accusations against Islam!
Jews had to endure the sword too. Millions of Jews from the fourth century CE until the 20th Century were forced to “kiss the sword” of Christ, or be put to death by that sword. So very many Jews have died at the hands of Christians in the name of Jesus. However, many Jews managed to survive. They survived by lying unfortunately. They converted, but secretly remained Jews. The Christian Church finally realized what was happening and in 1492, the Spanish Inquisition tried to purge the country of these “Secret” Jews, called Marranos.
Why just yesterday I saw on Oprah, Kurt Franklin a famous gospel singer was admitting his addiction to porn. Here is a Christian man, who makes a living singing praises to God, yet he is addicted to pron and cheats on his wife,...oh the irony!
I can't even ask a simple question without getting hassled, so if it'll be that way, then let me return the favor.
In regards to the persecution of Muslims in Iraq and the Middle East...why is a whole country being attacked for something done by individuals? Al-Qaida is a non-state associated organization. Just because they could possibly be In Iraq does not mean the whole country supports terrorism. Al-Qaida is independent, it does not belong to a country, it is a group of radical insane people doing what they think is right according to their warped and twisted minds.
Look and see what this war has caused!
http://www.robert-fisk.com/iraqwarvictims_mar2003.htm
Some of the most diabolocal schemes have been acted out in the name of Christianity, the aparteheid oppression of black South Africans, the slave trade and the en-slavement of Africans in the U.S., The rape of hundreds of slave women that led to the creation of the "mulatto" race, the burning and killing of innocent women in Salem, MA (The Salem witch trials) The extermination of the Native Americans (labled Manifest Destiny) in order to for white Christian Americans to occupy all of the United States, Hitler and the Germans extinction of the jews to create this white "aryan" society of blue-eyed blond haired people which was the image of Jesus (peace be upon him) promoted at that time, The Christian Inquisition, The molestation of children by priests, The KKK's burning of crosses of the yards of black people and the killiing of many others, The Mary Magdalen asylums that held innocent girls for crimes such as being raped, the segragation and mistreatment of blacks less than 50 years ago, and many more accounts. It astounds me that there are still African American Christians today.
Christians don't even treat other Christians well, so I don't know how one can expect a Christian to treat a non-Christian with humillity and understanding such as the teachings of Jesus. Of course in order to defend them selves against these atrocities commited by other Christians they say, "They are not Christians, they did not follow the true teachings of Jesus Christ and the bible." Well, these people who did grevious wrongdoing did truly believe that they were Christians.
I do not believe Christianity is wrong or false, but I believe it is a different interpretation of what we believe, but the principles Muslims and Christians abide by are similar. Christians are people of the book, so they should be able to understand Muslims more than any other persons on earth, but yet we have this need to point fingers and say who is wrong and who is right. Only GOD can judge us and tell us what is wrong and what is right.
Please read this article written by a Christian woman, who has seen the truth that Muslims and Christians should not be warring with each other.
Bush-Voting Christians
Have Lost Their Souls
America Is Lost
By Leslie Bell
11-3-4
Christians are called to emulate Christ. As He lived His life here on earth. That's all we have to go by. The suffering Christ, not the vanquishing one yet to come. We are to follow Him to the cross if necessary, and are commanded to love those who crucify us. "Love your enemies" are His exact words.
Jesus Christ did not "fight back". He did not "kick ass". He did not endeavor to destroy his enemies, or support those that were doing so. Rather, He COMMANDED us as Christians to LOVE them. UNCONDITIONALLY, as He loves us.
Jesus Christ did not bomb women or children for any reason whatsoever. Nor would He ever condone or support such behavior. Jesus Christ abhorred the behavior of Pharisees who prayed publicly and exploited their faith while doing evil behind the scenes. Nor would He have anything at all to do with, or support any kind of "War on Terrorism" whatsoever.
Tough words. Tough commandments. Hard to live by. Even harder to die by. But undeniable. IF you're a Christian and believe in what the Bible says about Jesus Christ's life.
Jesus Christ also warned of those who would come after Him, come in His name, claiming to be doing good in His name, but instead doing unspeakable evil. He warned all Christians against these people, telling us that they would come as "Angels of Light". He didn't go into specifics, but if He had, He might have said that they would promise to appoint judges to end abortion, promise to fund "faith-based" ministries and schools, and cast stones at rivals who "wanted to destroy the family by supporting abortion, voting against parental notification rights, give the 'morning-after' pill to our children," etc., etc.
I hope you get my point by now. The AntiChrist will not come saying "I am evil, follow me". On the contrary, he will say "I am good personified, I will make the world a better place and give all that believe in me and support me everything they want that is good. I will protect the weak and innocent and make peace, and destroy all evildoers."
I'm not saying Bush is THE AntiChrist, but he certainly qualifies as an antiChrist, because every single thing he says, and most importantly, does, goes DIRECTLY AGAINST EVERYTHING that JESUS CHRIST taught, lived, believed, and DIED FOR.
It is time for the Moral Majority and all who identify themselves as "Fundamentalist Christians" to decide what they really are; followers (emulators) of Christ or members or supporters of a worldly power-seeking political movement. YOU CANNOT BE A MEMBER OR SUPPORTER OF ONE and BELONG TO THE OTHER.
Jesus Christ eschewed (avoided to the greatest extent possible) politics and political power at every turn in His life, and His own people turned on Him as a result, desiring a "strong" leader who would come as a conqueror and throw off the occupation of the Romans. There was a reason for this and He said it over and over again in His life; that the world of the Spirit was more important than the world of Man and that the world of Man would fall away and amount to nothing. Suffering to prove you loved your enemies was far more important than vanquishing them.
But aren't we expected to make the world a better place? Absolutely. And Jesus told us how, by LOVING OUR ENEMIES. How do we do that? Find out what they want, why they want it, give it to them, and then give them more. If they ask for our shirt, to give them our cloak also. If they ask for our life or the lives of our loved ones, so be it. First Century Christians went to their deaths in the arena singing and praising God, rather than fight the Romans. How does this make the world a better place? By letting Christ's love so shine through us that all come to Him, by choice and free will. Not by coercion, and certainly not by force, murder, destruction, and worst of all, revenge. Unconditional Love is the only way to true lasting peace. Those First Century Christians' witness converted first a handful, then an emperor, then an entire empire, and eventually the entire world came to know of Jesus. Would this have happened if they died fighting against overwhelming odds? How many other ethnic or religious groups that died fighting the Romans do we know anything at all about today?
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I do NOT want you to stand before God at the final reckoning and have to experience the following: God asks you what you were doing when Bush was bombing women and babies (whatever Bush's reason; it doesn't matter) and you tell God "We were fighting to keep a hunk of rock in a courthouse" or "We were fighting to keep doctors from killing unborn babies" or worst of all "We were fighting to keep what we thought was a Man of God in the White House doing your work, Lord."
A Christian can never lose their salvation, but they can lose their soul when they do what they feel is the right thing for all the wrong reasons. Or actually doing the wrong thing for all the right reasons. Jesus told us how to do the right thing for all the right reasons. It isn't easy. In fact, it's the hardest thing in the world to do. LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. But He also said He would help us do it, if we took the first step.
May God grant you the power of discernment and the power to see "Angels of Light" for what they are. Know them by their works, not by what they claim to be. And may you never be blinded by much lesser meaningless works of seeming good, while abominable acts of unspeakable evil occur immediately behind them.
May God bless you and keep you,
Leslie Bell
P.S. You might say "What about the military? Doesn't somebody have to fight for freedom? What about our Christian young men and women in uniform?"
My answer is going to be very hard, but it is going to be what Jesus taught. As Christians, we aren't to worry about or ever partake in "fighting for freedom" or for anything else; there will always be men and women who will take any opportunity given them to kill for any reason whatsoever. As Christians we aren't to join them, period. God will decide their fate. We are commanded to LOVE OUR ENEMIES. This doesn't ever include bombing, maiming, or killing them for our freedom, their freedom, or anything else. For those that already have done these things, there is complete absolution and forgiveness for all those that ask. Killing is sin. If we have done so, we are called to stop. As individuals and AS A GOD-FEARING NATION.
Then what course of action is there left to take? Crying out the Truth, loud and long. That will be more than enough