All right. Imagine the coolest possible person in the world who could give Acts 17 a shout out. Then multiply the coolness by a trillion, and you're still not even close. I'll give you a hint. He's so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head. He's counted to infinity . . . twice. He uses pepper spray to spice up his steaks. The Dearborn Police are thanking their lucky stars that he wasn't there when they put their hands on Negeen.
Here it is.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Brief Review of Today's Pre-Trial
Hello all! David's going to write and/or upload a more detailed review of what happened today, but here's a heads up:
As a quick review, our attorney, Robert Muise, had essentially put in a motion to dismiss the case. In order to be granted that motion, Robert needs to be able to show that there is no basis at all for a case, and that evidence wouldn't matter one way or another; if the prosecuting attorney can show that there is a basis, and that the case needs to be judged off the evidence, then the case will go on.
The judge reviewed the evidence provided by our attorney and by the city in a pretty intense, interview/dialogue form. It went on for around 2 hours (not exactly sure how long). In the end, the judge decided he needs a little more evidence. He wants more defense from the city attorney on the idea that Roger William's claims about Negeen can possibly constitute probable cause for her arrest. And he also wants better audio from us on the policeman's conversation with Negeen after she was arrested (the camcorder was left running and some of what the policeman said to her can be heard.)
None of us know what's going to happen yet; we have to wait and see what the judge says after he gets these last two pieces of evidence. My guess? He's going to dismiss the parts of the case that have to do with "crowd control" and he's not going to dismiss the parts of the case that have to do with Roger Williams.
But we'll see! Keep us in your prayers! Yours in Christ,
- Nabeel
***UPDATE*** There's a short review of the hearing in the Detroit News here.
As a quick review, our attorney, Robert Muise, had essentially put in a motion to dismiss the case. In order to be granted that motion, Robert needs to be able to show that there is no basis at all for a case, and that evidence wouldn't matter one way or another; if the prosecuting attorney can show that there is a basis, and that the case needs to be judged off the evidence, then the case will go on.
The judge reviewed the evidence provided by our attorney and by the city in a pretty intense, interview/dialogue form. It went on for around 2 hours (not exactly sure how long). In the end, the judge decided he needs a little more evidence. He wants more defense from the city attorney on the idea that Roger William's claims about Negeen can possibly constitute probable cause for her arrest. And he also wants better audio from us on the policeman's conversation with Negeen after she was arrested (the camcorder was left running and some of what the policeman said to her can be heard.)
None of us know what's going to happen yet; we have to wait and see what the judge says after he gets these last two pieces of evidence. My guess? He's going to dismiss the parts of the case that have to do with "crowd control" and he's not going to dismiss the parts of the case that have to do with Roger Williams.
But we'll see! Keep us in your prayers! Yours in Christ,
- Nabeel
***UPDATE*** There's a short review of the hearing in the Detroit News here.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Eight
Acts Chapter Twenty-Eight (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Eight (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-10: Paul spends three months on Malta.
Verses 11-16: Paul sails to Rome.
Verses 17-31: Paul preaches in Rome.
II. SYNOPSIS
Acts 28:3-5--"When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.' He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." There are different kinds of miracles. Here Paul is bitten by a snake, and the natives believe that he is being judged by Justice (the goddess who punishes wrongdoers). But Paul suffers no ill-effects, showing that he has divine approval.
Acts 28:22--"But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” The Jews in Rome knew nothing about Christianity, and yet they had heard plenty of complaints.
Acts 28:23--"When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." Throughout the Book of Acts, we've seen a constant appeal to evidence. Here Paul tries to convince Jews by pointing to Old Testament prophecies.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Eight (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-10: Paul spends three months on Malta.
Verses 11-16: Paul sails to Rome.
Verses 17-31: Paul preaches in Rome.
II. SYNOPSIS
Acts 28:3-5--"When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, 'No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.' He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm." There are different kinds of miracles. Here Paul is bitten by a snake, and the natives believe that he is being judged by Justice (the goddess who punishes wrongdoers). But Paul suffers no ill-effects, showing that he has divine approval.
Acts 28:22--"But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.” The Jews in Rome knew nothing about Christianity, and yet they had heard plenty of complaints.
Acts 28:23--"When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets." Throughout the Book of Acts, we've seen a constant appeal to evidence. Here Paul tries to convince Jews by pointing to Old Testament prophecies.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
David and Nabeel on "Jesus or Muhammad" Tonight!
Nabeel and I will be on TV at 10:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time). We'll be discussing Sharia and the recent Dearborn incident. If you don't get ABN via satellite, you can watch via lives streaming here.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Nabeel vs. Osama Tonight at 8:00 P.M. (EST)
Nabeel will have a televised debate with Osama Abdallah on the preservation of the Qur'an tonight at 8:00 (Eastern Standard Time). Be sure to watch it live on ABN.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Seven
Acts Chapter Twenty-Seven (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Seven (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-12: Paul and his companions set sail for Rome.
Verses 13-38: The ship hits a storm.
Verses 39-44: The ship breaks apart at Malta.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 27:33-36--"As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, 'Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.' And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves." Paul's confidence was a powerful witness to his mostly polytheistic listeners.
Acts 27:42-44--"The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land." If a Roman soldier allowed a prisoner to escape, the soldier would receive whatever sentence the prisoner was to receive. Rather than risk such punishments, the soldiers wanted to kill all of the prisoners. Since the centurion had become fond of Paul, he rejected this solution. Thus, even the prisoners were saved for the sake of Paul.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Seven (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-12: Paul and his companions set sail for Rome.
Verses 13-38: The ship hits a storm.
Verses 39-44: The ship breaks apart at Malta.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 27:33-36--"As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, 'Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.' And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves." Paul's confidence was a powerful witness to his mostly polytheistic listeners.
Acts 27:42-44--"The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land." If a Roman soldier allowed a prisoner to escape, the soldier would receive whatever sentence the prisoner was to receive. Rather than risk such punishments, the soldiers wanted to kill all of the prisoners. Since the centurion had become fond of Paul, he rejected this solution. Thus, even the prisoners were saved for the sake of Paul.
Pedophile Caught Groping Boy in Mosque
I don't care what religion you are, this is disgusting. Many thanks to whoever decided to protect the young boy and shame the pedophile.
We're posting this in the name of justice. Human beings tend to ignore problems in their community until these problems are exposed. For instance, Muslim countries are being called to account for stonings, marriages to child-brides, abuse of women, etc., and we're seeing a positive result. We call on Muslims to deal with the man in this video, and to defend boys from predators.
*****UPDATE***** For some reason, this video starts playing whenever someone comes to Answering Muslims (instead of playing when someone clicks "Play"), and we've gotten some complaints as a result. So I'm replacing the embedded video with a link to it. You can watch the video here.
We're posting this in the name of justice. Human beings tend to ignore problems in their community until these problems are exposed. For instance, Muslim countries are being called to account for stonings, marriages to child-brides, abuse of women, etc., and we're seeing a positive result. We call on Muslims to deal with the man in this video, and to defend boys from predators.
*****UPDATE***** For some reason, this video starts playing whenever someone comes to Answering Muslims (instead of playing when someone clicks "Play"), and we've gotten some complaints as a result. So I'm replacing the embedded video with a link to it. You can watch the video here.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Six
Acts Chapter Twenty-Six (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Six (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-11: Paul speaks about his life before Christianity.
Verses 12-18: Paul speaks about his conversion.
Verses 19-32: Paul preaches the Gospel.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 26:22-23--"To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul is speaking to Jews, wealthy Romans, and others. Here he says that he testifies "both to small and great," showing that the Gospel is for people of all social classes. He then says the Gospel is to be proclaimed "both to our people and to the Gentiles," showing that the Gospel is for all races. The Gospel isn't simply a message about salvation. It breaks down social and racial barriers.
Acts 26:24-25--"And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.' But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.'" Paul's appeal to visions must have made him sound crazy to skeptics. Paul responds that his words are true and rational. Paul then turns his attention back to Agrippa, who had a reputation for being a pious Jew, and therefore wouldn't have been ask skeptical of visions.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Six (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-11: Paul speaks about his life before Christianity.
Verses 12-18: Paul speaks about his conversion.
Verses 19-32: Paul preaches the Gospel.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 26:22-23--"To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul is speaking to Jews, wealthy Romans, and others. Here he says that he testifies "both to small and great," showing that the Gospel is for people of all social classes. He then says the Gospel is to be proclaimed "both to our people and to the Gentiles," showing that the Gospel is for all races. The Gospel isn't simply a message about salvation. It breaks down social and racial barriers.
Acts 26:24-25--"And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.' But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.'" Paul's appeal to visions must have made him sound crazy to skeptics. Paul responds that his words are true and rational. Paul then turns his attention back to Agrippa, who had a reputation for being a pious Jew, and therefore wouldn't have been ask skeptical of visions.
ABN TV Special, Court Appearance, and Support Needed
Dearborn Police assumed they would get away with violating our rights because most people won't bother spending thousands of dollars hiring lawyers, traveling to another state, etc., in order to fight misdemeanor charges. It's easier to simply give in. But giving in is what leads to further violations of civil rights, and that just won't work. We're thankful that the Thomas More Law Center took our case free of charge.
Nabeel and I are heading back to Michigan on Friday. Our hearing is on Monday, but we have some work to do in Dearborn over the weekend (more on this next week). Nabeel also has a televised debate on Friday.
On Saturday, we'll be heading to ABN to do a TV show on the Dearborn catastrophe. Be sure to tune in at 10:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time). We'll be showing video clips, responding to accusations, and taking phone calls. If you don't get ABN via satellite, you can watch live on the internet here.
We need some help covering expenses. Plane tickets, hotel room, and rental car are more than we can cover. Please chip in here:
Nabeel and I are heading back to Michigan on Friday. Our hearing is on Monday, but we have some work to do in Dearborn over the weekend (more on this next week). Nabeel also has a televised debate on Friday.
On Saturday, we'll be heading to ABN to do a TV show on the Dearborn catastrophe. Be sure to tune in at 10:30 P.M. (Eastern Standard Time). We'll be showing video clips, responding to accusations, and taking phone calls. If you don't get ABN via satellite, you can watch live on the internet here.
We need some help covering expenses. Plane tickets, hotel room, and rental car are more than we can cover. Please chip in here:
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Five
Acts Chapter Twenty-Five (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Five (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-12: Paul appeals to Caesar.
Verses 13-27: King Agrippa and Bernice visit Caesarea.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 25:10-11--"But Paul said, 'I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.'” Paul recognized that Festus was trying to please the Jews, which would have made a Jerusalem trial dangerous. As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to Caesar--a long way from the influence of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
(B) Acts 25:26--Festus says, "But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write." Roman leaders would often assemble a panel of officials when judging a difficult case. Here Festus consults with Herod Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the Great, and his half-sister Bernice.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Five (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-12: Paul appeals to Caesar.
Verses 13-27: King Agrippa and Bernice visit Caesarea.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 25:10-11--"But Paul said, 'I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.'” Paul recognized that Festus was trying to please the Jews, which would have made a Jerusalem trial dangerous. As a Roman citizen, Paul had the right to appeal to Caesar--a long way from the influence of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
(B) Acts 25:26--Festus says, "But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write." Roman leaders would often assemble a panel of officials when judging a difficult case. Here Festus consults with Herod Agrippa II, great-grandson of Herod the Great, and his half-sister Bernice.
Pastor Haytham Abi-Haydar and the Road to Dhimmitude
I'm not surprised when Muslims condemn us, or when Muslims lie about us. Islam commands Muslims to subjugate unbelievers, through violence if necessary, and according to Muhammad, "War is deceit." Hence, just about anything goes in Islam when going after one's enemies, and attacks are to be expected.
What I find shocking is that some Christians employ similar tactics, even against fellow Christians. We've seen this numerous times after our trips to Dearborn. While I suspect that most Christians who attack us do so because they've gotten some false information about us, a few Christians are so consistent in actively spreading falsehood about us that something more seems to be at work. Though we usually ignore Christians in the latter group, a few are worthy of note. In this post, I will address the claims of Pastor Haytham Abi-Haydar.
If you're wondering who Haytham is, he's the man who appears at the beginning of Josh McDowell's video here:
If you followed the news concerning last year's Arab Festival, you might remember Haytham as the Christian leader who consistently attacked both George Saieg's ministry and ours, and did so in the secular media (long before bringing any of his concerns to Nabeel and me directly).
In an interview with Fox News, we read:
Yes, you read that correctly. Haytham just condemned George's ministry for distributing too many free DVDs, New Testaments, tracts, etc. Haytham goes on to say that George's ideas aren't welcome in Dearborn.
Muslims aren't here to radicalize or evangelize? Well then, let's drop our guard! Pastor Haytham assures us that Muslims aren't trying to spread Islam, and that they're not willing to use violence to do it. Perhaps next Haytham will try to convince us that the September 11th terrorist attacks were perpetrated by the U.S. government!
Not surprisingly, Haytham blames us for the assaults by security last year. The Detroit Free Press reported:
Let's review the facts from last year.
(1) Security was harassing and entrapping Christians at the festival. (Once police gave security the authority to stop people from distributing literature, security would walk up to Christians and ask for something. They would say something like, "Hey, can I see that Bible?" As soon as the Christian would hand over the Bible, security would take the Christian to police for breaking the rules. They even tried to do this to me. Thus, instead of merely stopping Christians from handing out literature, security actively stopped Christians who were merely witnessing at the festival.)
(2) While security was violating the Constitutional rights of Christians, Muslims were free to walk around the festival distributing materials.
(3) A Muslim booth that was distributing anti-Christian materials was also distributing pamphlets claiming that Islam is a religion of peace.
(4) The booth invited critics to ask questions.
(5) Nabeel approached the booth to ask a question about Surah 9:29 of the Qur'an, which commands Muslims to subjugate non-Muslims (as was happening at the festival).
(6) The Muslims at the booth gave us permission to record the conversation.
(7) Despite the fact that we were allowed to record the conversation, a Muslim security guard illegally grabbed Mary Jo's camera. (Note: We tend to get angry when someone puts their hands on our Christian sister.)
(8) After verifying with a non-Dearborn off-duty police officer that we were indeed allowed to record, and that security had no right to stop us, we returned to the booth.
(9) When we left the booth, I saw the guard that had assaulted Mary Jo.
(10) I recorded the woman so that we could report her actions.
(11) Security then sent a teenager to snatch something from Nabeel's hand, so that they could accuse us of distributing pamphlets. (Note: It was a pamphlet that had been given to us by Muslims at the booth.)
(12) Security then spent the next several minutes slapping us around and kicking Nabeel's legs. Mary Jo was assaulted several times.
(13) We made a video about what happened, so that people would be aware of what was happening in Dearborn.
After this, Haytham started talking to the media. It didn't bother him that Christians were being harassed and entrapped. It didn't bother him that his sister in Christ had been physically assaulted by security. Instead of condemning the injustice in Dearborn, Haytham condemned us in the media. Mayor John O'Reilly held a meeting about us and asked the local Christian groups to condemn us, and Haytham and others agreed and put together a letter condemning us. They contacted us briefly after composing the letter (it was shocking to finally hear directly from those who were publicly attacking us!) and demanded we apologize. Wasn't happening.
Since Haytham was so vocal in his condemnation of us (and in his support for Muslims who persecute Christians) last year, it should come as no surprise that Haytham wasted no time in condemning us (and defending persecutors) this year as well.
Haytham talked to Christianity Today:
I don't know how to break this to Haytham, but if I'm in the middle of 30,000 Muslims, I know how to get them to attack me. I know exactly what to say about Muhammad to get Muslims to assault me. If I wanted Muslims to beat me into the ground, I would rip up a Qur'an, or pull out a Sharpie and start drawing offensive pictures of Muhammad, or start yelling, "Muhammad was a pedophile!" If Nabeel and I were to walk into the middle of a crowd of Muslims and start doing such things, one could fairly accuse us of trying to get Muslims to attack us. But we don't do those things. We have peaceful conversations with Muslims who approach us. The video footage proves this. So why does Haytham keep saying otherwise?
In an article from Mission Network News, we read:
I wonder why they're so good to Haytham. Could it be that Haytham is the one who cleans up their messes, allowing them to continue harassing Christians? Think about it. Muslim security guards physically assault three Christians, including a woman. Haytham defends the Muslims and attacks the Christians. The next year, police falsely arrest four Christians, including an 18-year-old female convert. Haytham defends the police and attacks the Christians. Yes, Dearborn needs Haytham. I'm sure they'll give him a booth every year, so long as he continues helping them in their persecution.
When did we challenge anyone? After falsely accusing us, Haytham goes on to ask why we can't do things a different way. But considering we weren't challenging Muslims, I'm not sure how to answer him. Notice, however, that Haytham lets the cat out of the bag when he says, "I think they are endangering their lives for no reason." Is Haytham suggesting that Dearborn Muslims are so violent, one's life is at risk at the Arab festival when having discussions with Muslims? Such Islamophobia should be reported to Dearborn Police.
I don't recall "many evangelical groups" asking us to change our tactics. Perhaps Haytham can list them for us. But on to a more important question. Why can't we go around in Dearborn with no cameras? We can't go to Dearborn without cameras because people like Haytham are there--people who will invent all kinds of things about us, with no concern for accuracy, honesty, or integrity. Watch this next paragraph:
There you have it. The police were just trying to protect us. That's why they threw us in jail and lied about us numerous times in the police report. That's why we're going to court. It's for our protection, you see.
Notice how many false claims we have here. Haytham says that, when I was arrested, I was challenging a young Muslim man. Actually, I never challenged anyone, and when I was arrested, I was quietly recording a peaceful conversation. Haytham says a young man was screaming at me. Actually, no one was even paying attention to me. They were focusing on Nabeel, who was having a peaceful dialogue with Muslims who were asking him questions about the Gospel. Haytham says that police asked us to disburse. Actually, I asked police if we should move, and they said that we were fine where we were. Haytham says that we refused to disburse. Since we weren't asked to disburse, I have no clue how we refused anything. Haytham says that the problem was "too many people yelling at each other." But even a cursory examination of our video footage shows that no one was yelling at anyone. One Muslim had raised his voice during an earlier discussion, but Nabeel quickly diffused the situation, and they shook hands before the Muslim left. I should also point out that Haytham says that he agrees with what police did, and that he would have done the same. I wonder, Haytham, does that include lying about us in the police report?
But Haytham isn't finished. World Magazine reports:
Four or five video cameras? Quite an exaggeration. Last year, when we approached the Muslim booth, we had a single video camera. After security assaulted Mary Jo, a non-Dearborn off-duty police officer said we should bring along a second camera, so that if one camera operator were to be assaulted, the other would be able to record. When security later assaulted all three of us, we had two cameras, but we didn't catch security kicking Nabeel's legs. Numerous people (after watching our video) suggested a third camera from a distance, and we went with this plan for this year. When we recorded dialogues at the festival, we would have either one or two cameras recording near the discussion, and another far off for security purposes. That's quite different from four or five cameras pointed directly into a person's face. But Haytham doesn't seem to be concerned with actual facts.
Finally, let's look at Haytham's comments in Charisma Magazine, a publication that interviewed several of our critics, but apparently wasn't interested in input from us.
I have no recollection of "insulting others," unless Haytham thinks that peacefully answering questions is an insult to Muslims. Notice that Haytham, like so many others, compares (1) peacefully answering the questions of Muslims who approach us at a public festival with (2) a Muslim entering a church and attacking Christianity. Notice also his admission that, in such a situation, he would kick the Muslim out, and that he therefore agrees with Muslims kicking us out of the festival.
So there you have it. Haytham contends that we were kicked out of the festival for upsetting Muslims, and he completely agrees with kicking us out. Like the police and mayor, Haytham is willing to make things up when he attacks us, and is even willing to deceive the media. Strangely, despite the fact that Haytham's false reports are easily refuted by the video footage, reporters continue to interview him.
Haytham Abi-Haydar is Dearborn's first line of defense when Christians are mistreated. When we were attacked last year, the response was, "But other Christians weren't attacked, so you weren't either." This year, we were falsely arrested, and the response was, "But Christians like Haytham are quite welcome in Dearborn, so how can you say that you were targeted?" Of course Haytham is welcome in Dearborn. The city needs him. The police department needs him. The mayor needs him. Muslims need him. Haytham is a Christian who's willing to defend people who physically attack Christians (even women), falsely arrest Christians, and spread lies about Christians. Haytham even goes the extra mile and spreads lies about Christians who upset the local Muslims.
Why does Haytham do this? Is he seeking the approval of Muslims? Does he think that he's in competition with other ministries, and does he therefore attack them in order to strengthen his own position? We can't really know. But one thing is certain. Haytham's approach, if unchecked, will lead to further persecution of Christians, further assaults, and further arrests. I wonder if there's any point at which Haytham would draw a line. If Muslims had killed us, would Haytham speak out, or would he say we deserved it? If Muslims start raping Christian girls in Dearborn, as they are doing regularly in Egypt and Pakistan, will Haytham say something, or will he continue defending Muslims?
Hopefully, we will never see the answers to these questions. If those who are bravely standing for freedom are successful in Dearborn, Sharia will never be established, and those who assault and falsely arrest Christians will face justice.
***UPDATE*** It seems that Pastor Haytham may be testifying against us in court! It should be interesting, since our video footage refutes his claims. Haytham even went to police in an attempt to strengthen their crumbling case against us. The latest edition of the police report adds:
What I find shocking is that some Christians employ similar tactics, even against fellow Christians. We've seen this numerous times after our trips to Dearborn. While I suspect that most Christians who attack us do so because they've gotten some false information about us, a few Christians are so consistent in actively spreading falsehood about us that something more seems to be at work. Though we usually ignore Christians in the latter group, a few are worthy of note. In this post, I will address the claims of Pastor Haytham Abi-Haydar.
If you're wondering who Haytham is, he's the man who appears at the beginning of Josh McDowell's video here:
If you followed the news concerning last year's Arab Festival, you might remember Haytham as the Christian leader who consistently attacked both George Saieg's ministry and ours, and did so in the secular media (long before bringing any of his concerns to Nabeel and me directly).
In an interview with Fox News, we read:
[S]ome local Christian leaders have taken issue with Saieg's brand of evangelizing.
"They littered this place with their literature," the Rev. Haytham Abi Haydar, who heads the Arabic Christian Alliance Church, told FOXNews.com.
Yes, you read that correctly. Haytham just condemned George's ministry for distributing too many free DVDs, New Testaments, tracts, etc. Haytham goes on to say that George's ideas aren't welcome in Dearborn.
"Just look at the conclusion of these guys -- that Muslims are trying to create Shariah Law in the U.S., [which creates] fear with Christians. But Muslims are not here to radicalize or evangelize the U.S. ... [Saieg's] philosophy and his ideas are not welcome here."
Muslims aren't here to radicalize or evangelize? Well then, let's drop our guard! Pastor Haytham assures us that Muslims aren't trying to spread Islam, and that they're not willing to use violence to do it. Perhaps next Haytham will try to convince us that the September 11th terrorist attacks were perpetrated by the U.S. government!
Not surprisingly, Haytham blames us for the assaults by security last year. The Detroit Free Press reported:
The Rev. Haytham Abi Haydar, a Christian evangelical convert from Islam with Arabic Alliance Church in Dearborn, said that a Christian group called Acts 17 Apologetics caused the problems at this year's Arab festival.
"They put cameras in their faces and were very antagonistic," Abi Haydar said of the group that produced the controversial video that has drawn almost 1.4 million views on YouTube.
Let's review the facts from last year.
(1) Security was harassing and entrapping Christians at the festival. (Once police gave security the authority to stop people from distributing literature, security would walk up to Christians and ask for something. They would say something like, "Hey, can I see that Bible?" As soon as the Christian would hand over the Bible, security would take the Christian to police for breaking the rules. They even tried to do this to me. Thus, instead of merely stopping Christians from handing out literature, security actively stopped Christians who were merely witnessing at the festival.)
(2) While security was violating the Constitutional rights of Christians, Muslims were free to walk around the festival distributing materials.
(3) A Muslim booth that was distributing anti-Christian materials was also distributing pamphlets claiming that Islam is a religion of peace.
(4) The booth invited critics to ask questions.
(5) Nabeel approached the booth to ask a question about Surah 9:29 of the Qur'an, which commands Muslims to subjugate non-Muslims (as was happening at the festival).
(6) The Muslims at the booth gave us permission to record the conversation.
(7) Despite the fact that we were allowed to record the conversation, a Muslim security guard illegally grabbed Mary Jo's camera. (Note: We tend to get angry when someone puts their hands on our Christian sister.)
(8) After verifying with a non-Dearborn off-duty police officer that we were indeed allowed to record, and that security had no right to stop us, we returned to the booth.
(9) When we left the booth, I saw the guard that had assaulted Mary Jo.
(10) I recorded the woman so that we could report her actions.
(11) Security then sent a teenager to snatch something from Nabeel's hand, so that they could accuse us of distributing pamphlets. (Note: It was a pamphlet that had been given to us by Muslims at the booth.)
(12) Security then spent the next several minutes slapping us around and kicking Nabeel's legs. Mary Jo was assaulted several times.
(13) We made a video about what happened, so that people would be aware of what was happening in Dearborn.
After this, Haytham started talking to the media. It didn't bother him that Christians were being harassed and entrapped. It didn't bother him that his sister in Christ had been physically assaulted by security. Instead of condemning the injustice in Dearborn, Haytham condemned us in the media. Mayor John O'Reilly held a meeting about us and asked the local Christian groups to condemn us, and Haytham and others agreed and put together a letter condemning us. They contacted us briefly after composing the letter (it was shocking to finally hear directly from those who were publicly attacking us!) and demanded we apologize. Wasn't happening.
Since Haytham was so vocal in his condemnation of us (and in his support for Muslims who persecute Christians) last year, it should come as no surprise that Haytham wasted no time in condemning us (and defending persecutors) this year as well.
Haytham talked to Christianity Today:
"I think [Acts 17] was fishing for somebody to come attack them," said Haytham Abi-Haydar, pastor of Dearborn's Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church."
I don't know how to break this to Haytham, but if I'm in the middle of 30,000 Muslims, I know how to get them to attack me. I know exactly what to say about Muhammad to get Muslims to assault me. If I wanted Muslims to beat me into the ground, I would rip up a Qur'an, or pull out a Sharpie and start drawing offensive pictures of Muhammad, or start yelling, "Muhammad was a pedophile!" If Nabeel and I were to walk into the middle of a crowd of Muslims and start doing such things, one could fairly accuse us of trying to get Muslims to attack us. But we don't do those things. We have peaceful conversations with Muslims who approach us. The video footage proves this. So why does Haytham keep saying otherwise?
In an article from Mission Network News, we read:
Pastor Haytham Abi-Haydar has been attending the Arab International Festival since 1999, even having been allowed to have a booth at the event. "The community has been very good to us. They never denied us a request. From my perspective, we've never had any incidents."
I wonder why they're so good to Haytham. Could it be that Haytham is the one who cleans up their messes, allowing them to continue harassing Christians? Think about it. Muslim security guards physically assault three Christians, including a woman. Haytham defends the Muslims and attacks the Christians. The next year, police falsely arrest four Christians, including an 18-year-old female convert. Haytham defends the police and attacks the Christians. Yes, Dearborn needs Haytham. I'm sure they'll give him a booth every year, so long as he continues helping them in their persecution.
According to Abi-Haydar, Act 17 challenged Muslims in the crowd. Those challenges seemed to invite a crowd. Abi-Haydar says, "If he thinks that's how to reach out to people and that's how to dialogue with people, I think they are endangering their own lives for no reason."
When did we challenge anyone? After falsely accusing us, Haytham goes on to ask why we can't do things a different way. But considering we weren't challenging Muslims, I'm not sure how to answer him. Notice, however, that Haytham lets the cat out of the bag when he says, "I think they are endangering their lives for no reason." Is Haytham suggesting that Dearborn Muslims are so violent, one's life is at risk at the Arab festival when having discussions with Muslims? Such Islamophobia should be reported to Dearborn Police.
Wood and his organization were asked by many evangelical groups to change their tactics. Abi-Haydar says, "Why can't he go around with no cameras, no intimidating people and ask questions and build relationships with the community and sharing Christ? Why is that difficult?"
I don't recall "many evangelical groups" asking us to change our tactics. Perhaps Haytham can list them for us. But on to a more important question. Why can't we go around in Dearborn with no cameras? We can't go to Dearborn without cameras because people like Haytham are there--people who will invent all kinds of things about us, with no concern for accuracy, honesty, or integrity. Watch this next paragraph:
Abi-Haydar says when Wood was arrested, he was challenging a young Muslim man. The young man was screaming at him. Police asked Woods and his group to disburse. But Abi-Haydar says they didn't. "I know for one fact: if I was the police, I am responsible for the security of the community there and for the security [of Acts 17 Apologetics]. For their own security, I would have forced them to leave the area. And if they would have rejected it, I would have arrested them myself."
It's not about large groups forming, says Abi-Haydar. "It's about too many people yelling at each other. Is that [a good] witness?"
There you have it. The police were just trying to protect us. That's why they threw us in jail and lied about us numerous times in the police report. That's why we're going to court. It's for our protection, you see.
Notice how many false claims we have here. Haytham says that, when I was arrested, I was challenging a young Muslim man. Actually, I never challenged anyone, and when I was arrested, I was quietly recording a peaceful conversation. Haytham says a young man was screaming at me. Actually, no one was even paying attention to me. They were focusing on Nabeel, who was having a peaceful dialogue with Muslims who were asking him questions about the Gospel. Haytham says that police asked us to disburse. Actually, I asked police if we should move, and they said that we were fine where we were. Haytham says that we refused to disburse. Since we weren't asked to disburse, I have no clue how we refused anything. Haytham says that the problem was "too many people yelling at each other." But even a cursory examination of our video footage shows that no one was yelling at anyone. One Muslim had raised his voice during an earlier discussion, but Nabeel quickly diffused the situation, and they shook hands before the Muslim left. I should also point out that Haytham says that he agrees with what police did, and that he would have done the same. I wonder, Haytham, does that include lying about us in the police report?
But Haytham isn't finished. World Magazine reports:
Haytham Abi Haydar, a Lebanese-born pastor who has had a ministry in Dearborn since 1999, told me the presence of "four or five video cameras" is "intimidating" in the crowded streets. Haydar has run a booth next to McDowell: "We have not had any problem with the authorities, and we find the organizers hospitable and most attendees polite."
Haydar said Arab Christians who live in Dearborn don't appreciate the disruption brought by outsiders with no ongoing ministry in the city: "They come here once a year and create a problem we have to deal with the rest of the year. It is a waste and leaves the image of Dearborn distorted."
Four or five video cameras? Quite an exaggeration. Last year, when we approached the Muslim booth, we had a single video camera. After security assaulted Mary Jo, a non-Dearborn off-duty police officer said we should bring along a second camera, so that if one camera operator were to be assaulted, the other would be able to record. When security later assaulted all three of us, we had two cameras, but we didn't catch security kicking Nabeel's legs. Numerous people (after watching our video) suggested a third camera from a distance, and we went with this plan for this year. When we recorded dialogues at the festival, we would have either one or two cameras recording near the discussion, and another far off for security purposes. That's quite different from four or five cameras pointed directly into a person's face. But Haytham doesn't seem to be concerned with actual facts.
Finally, let's look at Haytham's comments in Charisma Magazine, a publication that interviewed several of our critics, but apparently wasn't interested in input from us.
"It really discredits us as a Christian when we make claim that Shariah law is being implemented in Dearborn," said pastor Haytham Abi-Haydar of Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church, who has ministered in Dearborn for more than a decade. "Any guy above 50 percent IQ score would know that that's not true. So our credibility in the community is being compromised. Second, we are being perceived as hostile. We evangelical Christians are coming across as [if] we are out to get [Muslims]." . . .
Abi-Haydar, who has evangelized at the festival for more than a decade, said Wood and Qureshi provoked the crowd. He said Wood challenged a young Muslim man, who began to scream at him.
"He started yelling at them, shouting against them," Abi-Haydar said. "The police was concerned because the circle was growing. He told them to break it up. ... If I was the police, for their own safety I would have told them to break that circle and move on."
Thomas More Law Center senior trial counsel Robert Muise, attorney for the Acts 17 missionaries, said his clients were exercising their free-speech rights. "Preaching the gospel on a city street that Muslims may find offensive so Muslims are shouting threats and profanities at the Christians so that's the basis for the police to arrest the Christians? I think not," he said. "The fact that people who are listening to the message that they may object to the message ... doesn't mean you silence the peaceful speaker. Is it provocative for a Muslim to hear message of the gospel? Well maybe it is, but it's protected by the First Amendment."
Abi-Haydar takes issue with those claims, arguing that the First Amendment does not give Christians the freedom to insult others.
"Nabeel and David are not interested in reaching out to the Muslim community, they are interested in exposing Islam," said Abi-Haydar, a Lebanon-born convert from Islam. "I don't have a problem with exposing Islam, but there is a wrong way to do it. ... If a Muslim guy came to our church and started attacking our faith, guess what we're going to do to him? We're going to kick him out. And that's what they were doing to David and Nabeel."
I have no recollection of "insulting others," unless Haytham thinks that peacefully answering questions is an insult to Muslims. Notice that Haytham, like so many others, compares (1) peacefully answering the questions of Muslims who approach us at a public festival with (2) a Muslim entering a church and attacking Christianity. Notice also his admission that, in such a situation, he would kick the Muslim out, and that he therefore agrees with Muslims kicking us out of the festival.
So there you have it. Haytham contends that we were kicked out of the festival for upsetting Muslims, and he completely agrees with kicking us out. Like the police and mayor, Haytham is willing to make things up when he attacks us, and is even willing to deceive the media. Strangely, despite the fact that Haytham's false reports are easily refuted by the video footage, reporters continue to interview him.
Haytham Abi-Haydar is Dearborn's first line of defense when Christians are mistreated. When we were attacked last year, the response was, "But other Christians weren't attacked, so you weren't either." This year, we were falsely arrested, and the response was, "But Christians like Haytham are quite welcome in Dearborn, so how can you say that you were targeted?" Of course Haytham is welcome in Dearborn. The city needs him. The police department needs him. The mayor needs him. Muslims need him. Haytham is a Christian who's willing to defend people who physically attack Christians (even women), falsely arrest Christians, and spread lies about Christians. Haytham even goes the extra mile and spreads lies about Christians who upset the local Muslims.
Why does Haytham do this? Is he seeking the approval of Muslims? Does he think that he's in competition with other ministries, and does he therefore attack them in order to strengthen his own position? We can't really know. But one thing is certain. Haytham's approach, if unchecked, will lead to further persecution of Christians, further assaults, and further arrests. I wonder if there's any point at which Haytham would draw a line. If Muslims had killed us, would Haytham speak out, or would he say we deserved it? If Muslims start raping Christian girls in Dearborn, as they are doing regularly in Egypt and Pakistan, will Haytham say something, or will he continue defending Muslims?
Hopefully, we will never see the answers to these questions. If those who are bravely standing for freedom are successful in Dearborn, Sharia will never be established, and those who assault and falsely arrest Christians will face justice.
***UPDATE*** It seems that Pastor Haytham may be testifying against us in court! It should be interesting, since our video footage refutes his claims. Haytham even went to police in an attempt to strengthen their crumbling case against us. The latest edition of the police report adds:
Haytham stated he is the pastor and founder of the Arabic Fellowship Alliance Church in Dearborn and also had information that he felt the police should be made aware of. Haytham stated that he also has heard and seen on the internet several negative comments made by David Wood and Nabeel Qureshi regarding the City of Dearborn, the Mayor, and the Chief of Police, that he didn't believe were true. Haytham stated that he witnessed the arrest of the four subjects at the Arab Fest. Haytham was in a booth no more than 20 to 30 feet from where the arrest occurred. He also stated he witnessed Nabeel Qureshi having a volatile conversation with one of the young arab male patrons at the festival. According to Haytham, he believed the arrests were justified by the police.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Four
Acts Chapter Twenty-Four (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Four (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: Paul's gives his defense before Felix.
Verses 22-27: Felix leaves Paul in prison.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 24:2-3--"And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: 'Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.'" Tertullus begins with absurd flattery. Felix was a horrible administrator, was known for taking bribes, and was later removed from office by the Romans. Compare the flattery of Tertullus with the honest introduction by Paul in v. 10: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense."
(B) Acts 24:5-6--"For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him." These are the charges against Paul. Paul responds by admitting that he is a leader among Christians, but that he was not inciting a riot and did not profane the temple. Since accusers had to be present in order to testify against a Roman citizen, Paul points out that the people who had supposedly witnessed him starting a riot were not present.
(C) Acts 24:27--"When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison." Felix, as well as other Roman leaders, tried to balance (1) not abusing Paul, since he was a Roman citizen, with (2) not upsetting the Jews by allowing Paul unrestricted freedom. Though Felix knew that Paul was innocent, he left him in prison in order to satisfy Paul's enemies.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Four (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: Paul's gives his defense before Felix.
Verses 22-27: Felix leaves Paul in prison.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 24:2-3--"And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: 'Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.'" Tertullus begins with absurd flattery. Felix was a horrible administrator, was known for taking bribes, and was later removed from office by the Romans. Compare the flattery of Tertullus with the honest introduction by Paul in v. 10: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense."
(B) Acts 24:5-6--"For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him." These are the charges against Paul. Paul responds by admitting that he is a leader among Christians, but that he was not inciting a riot and did not profane the temple. Since accusers had to be present in order to testify against a Roman citizen, Paul points out that the people who had supposedly witnessed him starting a riot were not present.
(C) Acts 24:27--"When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison." Felix, as well as other Roman leaders, tried to balance (1) not abusing Paul, since he was a Roman citizen, with (2) not upsetting the Jews by allowing Paul unrestricted freedom. Though Felix knew that Paul was innocent, he left him in prison in order to satisfy Paul's enemies.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Three
Acts Chapter Twenty-Three (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Three (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-11: Paul addresses the Jewish Council.
Verses 12-22: Forty men vow to kill Paul.
Verses 23-35: Lysias sends Paul to Governor Felix.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 23:3-5--"Then Paul said to him, 'God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?' Those who stood by said, 'Would you revile God's high priest?' And Paul said, 'I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”'" Paul was before the court as a supposed law breaker, yet the high priest was breaking the law. After realizing that it was the high priest who ordered the assault, Paul stops his rebuke, on the ground that the law doesn't allow him to "speak evil" of the high priest. So Paul, who was accused of violating the law, was actually more dedicated to following the law than the high priest!
Acts 23:6--"Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.'” Though the Jewish population as a whole had far more in common with the Pharisees, the Sadducees formed the majority of the Jewish Council. As a former devout Pharisee, Paul certainly would have retained his distaste for the position of the Sadducees. Here he draws attention to his biggest objection against the Sadducees, and a dispute erupts.
Acts 23:12--"When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." Though they never got to carry out their plot, they wouldn't have starved to death. Jewish law allowed the cancellation of oaths if fulfillment became impossible.
Acts 23:23-24--"Then he called two of the centurions and said, 'Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.'" Four hundred and seventy Roman soldiers would have been around half of the Roman force in Jerusalem. This passage shows how dedicated the Roman military was to protecting Roman citizens from unjust treatment.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Three (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-11: Paul addresses the Jewish Council.
Verses 12-22: Forty men vow to kill Paul.
Verses 23-35: Lysias sends Paul to Governor Felix.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 23:3-5--"Then Paul said to him, 'God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?' Those who stood by said, 'Would you revile God's high priest?' And Paul said, 'I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”'" Paul was before the court as a supposed law breaker, yet the high priest was breaking the law. After realizing that it was the high priest who ordered the assault, Paul stops his rebuke, on the ground that the law doesn't allow him to "speak evil" of the high priest. So Paul, who was accused of violating the law, was actually more dedicated to following the law than the high priest!
Acts 23:6--"Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.'” Though the Jewish population as a whole had far more in common with the Pharisees, the Sadducees formed the majority of the Jewish Council. As a former devout Pharisee, Paul certainly would have retained his distaste for the position of the Sadducees. Here he draws attention to his biggest objection against the Sadducees, and a dispute erupts.
Acts 23:12--"When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul." Though they never got to carry out their plot, they wouldn't have starved to death. Jewish law allowed the cancellation of oaths if fulfillment became impossible.
Acts 23:23-24--"Then he called two of the centurions and said, 'Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.'" Four hundred and seventy Roman soldiers would have been around half of the Roman force in Jerusalem. This passage shows how dedicated the Roman military was to protecting Roman citizens from unjust treatment.
Does the Sun orbit the Earth According to the Qur'an?
I was hoping some Muslims could educate us about these passages.
“(God is) the one Who created the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion” (Sura 21: 33).
I find it rather obvious from what this passage depicts that the day and night depends upon the orbit of the sun and moon. In other words, contrary to what Muslim apologists exclaim about the sun's galactic orbit, the passage appears rather to describe the sun and the moon in parallel orbits.
It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)(Sura 36: 40).
That the Qur'an refers to parallel orbits is further clarified in this passage, which states that the sun and the moon do not catch up each other.
Think of it: what sense does this make if the Qur'an described a galatic orbit since the moon is already attached to such an orbit, and since the orbit relates not to the galaxy but the day and night? Furthermore, notice that this passage states the impossible task of the sun to catch up the moon.
Yet why can't the sun catch up the moon, is due to its inability to do so? Not really! The passage makes it perfectly clear that the sun is not permitted to do so. We might deduce from this that the sun has indeed the ability to catch the moon, hence the switch from day to night, since both travel in parallel orbits; yet their abilities to catch up is simply not permitted.
I might here agree with some that the passages are metaphorical, much like Sura 91: 1-2:
By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; By the Moon as she follows him…(Sura 91: 1-2)
I must say I have no real problem with the metaphorical language of this passage, and I am inclined to believe that this simply describes what is observable from the earth.
Yet there are two following problems here:
The first, which I will refrain from looking at at this point (I intend to do so later), is the very language utilized by the Qur'an in describing the orbits, which appear to be in a close similtude with the pre-Islamic thinkers and hence in line with the observation of people who due to their lack of tools also lacked sufficient insight into our solar system.
The second problem derives from the interpretation of Muhammad himself:
Sahih Al-Bukbari clearly confirms some of these as scientific facts (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 421: Narrated Abu Dharr):
The Prophet asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west.
And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah: ‘And the sun Runs its fixed course for a term (decreed). That is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing.’" (36.38)
http://debunkingquranicscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/does-sun-orbit-earth-according-to-quran.html
“(God is) the one Who created the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion” (Sura 21: 33).
I find it rather obvious from what this passage depicts that the day and night depends upon the orbit of the sun and moon. In other words, contrary to what Muslim apologists exclaim about the sun's galactic orbit, the passage appears rather to describe the sun and the moon in parallel orbits.
It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)(Sura 36: 40).
That the Qur'an refers to parallel orbits is further clarified in this passage, which states that the sun and the moon do not catch up each other.
Think of it: what sense does this make if the Qur'an described a galatic orbit since the moon is already attached to such an orbit, and since the orbit relates not to the galaxy but the day and night? Furthermore, notice that this passage states the impossible task of the sun to catch up the moon.
Yet why can't the sun catch up the moon, is due to its inability to do so? Not really! The passage makes it perfectly clear that the sun is not permitted to do so. We might deduce from this that the sun has indeed the ability to catch the moon, hence the switch from day to night, since both travel in parallel orbits; yet their abilities to catch up is simply not permitted.
I might here agree with some that the passages are metaphorical, much like Sura 91: 1-2:
By the Sun and his (glorious) splendour; By the Moon as she follows him…(Sura 91: 1-2)
I must say I have no real problem with the metaphorical language of this passage, and I am inclined to believe that this simply describes what is observable from the earth.
Yet there are two following problems here:
The first, which I will refrain from looking at at this point (I intend to do so later), is the very language utilized by the Qur'an in describing the orbits, which appear to be in a close similtude with the pre-Islamic thinkers and hence in line with the observation of people who due to their lack of tools also lacked sufficient insight into our solar system.
The second problem derives from the interpretation of Muhammad himself:
Sahih Al-Bukbari clearly confirms some of these as scientific facts (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 54, Number 421: Narrated Abu Dharr):
The Prophet asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west.
And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah: ‘And the sun Runs its fixed course for a term (decreed). That is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing.’" (36.38)
http://debunkingquranicscience.blogspot.com/2010/08/does-sun-orbit-earth-according-to-quran.html
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-Two
Acts Chapter Twenty-Two (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-Two (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: Paul addresses the Jews (largely a review of Paul's conversion in Chapter Nine).
Verses 22-29: Paul before the Roman Tribune.
Verse 30: Paul stands before the Jewish Council.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 22:2--"And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet." The most common language in Israel was Aramaic (and the word "Hebrew" here could mean "Aramaic.") Depending on whether Paul addressed the Jews in Hebrew or Aramaic, this verse could mean either (1) the Jews became quiet because Paul was speaking Hebrew, which would have been a bit more difficult to understand, or (2) the Jews became quiet because Paul was speaking Aramaic, and this was surprising to them, since the mob most likely assumed that Paul was a Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jew).
(B) Acts 22:9--"Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me." For some reason, Muslims often point to this verse as a contradiction when compared with Acts 9:7, which reads, "The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one." Obviously, there's no contradiction here. Paul's companions saw the light but not Jesus, and heard the voice but didn't understand it.
(C) Acts 22:25--"But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?'" It was illegal to flog a Roman citizen without a trial. Paul again demands his civil rights as a Roman citizen.
Acts Chapter Twenty-Two (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: Paul addresses the Jews (largely a review of Paul's conversion in Chapter Nine).
Verses 22-29: Paul before the Roman Tribune.
Verse 30: Paul stands before the Jewish Council.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 22:2--"And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet." The most common language in Israel was Aramaic (and the word "Hebrew" here could mean "Aramaic.") Depending on whether Paul addressed the Jews in Hebrew or Aramaic, this verse could mean either (1) the Jews became quiet because Paul was speaking Hebrew, which would have been a bit more difficult to understand, or (2) the Jews became quiet because Paul was speaking Aramaic, and this was surprising to them, since the mob most likely assumed that Paul was a Hellenist (Greek-speaking Jew).
(B) Acts 22:9--"Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me." For some reason, Muslims often point to this verse as a contradiction when compared with Acts 9:7, which reads, "The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one." Obviously, there's no contradiction here. Paul's companions saw the light but not Jesus, and heard the voice but didn't understand it.
(C) Acts 22:25--"But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, 'Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?'" It was illegal to flog a Roman citizen without a trial. Paul again demands his civil rights as a Roman citizen.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Acts Chapter Twenty-One
Acts Chapter Twenty-One (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty-One (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-16: Paul travels to Jerusalem.
Verses 17-26: Paul meets with James and the elders.
Verses 27-36: Paul is arrested in the Temple.
Verses 37-40: Paul asks to speak to the Jews.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 21:4--"And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem." On the surface, this verse seems to conflict with other passages (e.g. Acts 20:22), which state that the Spirit was leading Paul to go to Jerusalem. We see what's happening a few verses later, however, when Agabus prophesies about what will happen to Paul in Jerusalem. The Spirit revealed that suffering and imprisonment await Paul, and some of the disciples interpret this to mean that Paul should avoid Jerusalem, in order to avoid the suffering and imprisonment. Paul, however, understands that persecution isn't always something to be avoided, and that the Lord wants him to endure it as a witness to the Jews.
Acts 21:8-9--"On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied." In Acts 2:16-21, Peter announced that Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-29) was being fulfilled. Part of the prophecy declared that "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." Here we see Philip's daughters prophesying, in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy and Peter's confirmation.
Acts 21:13--"Then Paul answered, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'” While it is difficult to stand by and do nothing while a fellow believer is being persecuted, Paul wanted the disciples to understand that persecution is part of being a Christian. Indeed, suffering for the sake of the Lord Jesus is an honor, not a disgrace.
Acts 21:26--"Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them." Paul had no objections to Jewish Christians retaining their Jewish heritage, provided they understood that the Law does not save them. Paul's objection to the Law came when some Jewish believers insisted that the Gentiles must obey the Old Testament Law.
Acts Chapter Twenty-One (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-16: Paul travels to Jerusalem.
Verses 17-26: Paul meets with James and the elders.
Verses 27-36: Paul is arrested in the Temple.
Verses 37-40: Paul asks to speak to the Jews.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 21:4--"And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem." On the surface, this verse seems to conflict with other passages (e.g. Acts 20:22), which state that the Spirit was leading Paul to go to Jerusalem. We see what's happening a few verses later, however, when Agabus prophesies about what will happen to Paul in Jerusalem. The Spirit revealed that suffering and imprisonment await Paul, and some of the disciples interpret this to mean that Paul should avoid Jerusalem, in order to avoid the suffering and imprisonment. Paul, however, understands that persecution isn't always something to be avoided, and that the Lord wants him to endure it as a witness to the Jews.
Acts 21:8-9--"On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied." In Acts 2:16-21, Peter announced that Joel's prophecy (Joel 2:28-29) was being fulfilled. Part of the prophecy declared that "your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." Here we see Philip's daughters prophesying, in fulfillment of Joel's prophecy and Peter's confirmation.
Acts 21:13--"Then Paul answered, 'What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.'” While it is difficult to stand by and do nothing while a fellow believer is being persecuted, Paul wanted the disciples to understand that persecution is part of being a Christian. Indeed, suffering for the sake of the Lord Jesus is an honor, not a disgrace.
Acts 21:26--"Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them." Paul had no objections to Jewish Christians retaining their Jewish heritage, provided they understood that the Law does not save them. Paul's objection to the Law came when some Jewish believers insisted that the Gentiles must obey the Old Testament Law.
Perceiving the True Nature of Islam: Rape and Supression
In this post I wanna turn back to the article David Wood posted on the rape of a 12 year old Christian girl raped by a gang of Islamic students.
I am inclined to believe that the incident reveals a notorious reality about the true nature of Islam.
Here is the part of the article:
http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2010/08/pakistani-muslims-continue-gang-raping.html
I am inclined to believe that the incident reveals a notorious reality about the true nature of Islam.
Here is the part of the article:
'...these madrassa students got hold of her and took her in the fields. I tried
to stop them, but they were 15-16 in number.” Seven or eight of the boys
reportedly then raped the girl while the others looked on. Before the attack
began, the teacher overheard one of the students say, “We will teach these
Christians a lesson they will never forget.”
The Christian girl, whose
name has been withheld, was left in the field until some villagers eventually
took her home to her family. The girl’s father and the teacher have attempted to
file a complaint but the officer in charge has refused to comply. Another
officer has since admitted that they are under pressure from Muslim leaders and
extremists to refrain from filing a report. The madrassa students had reportedly
been harassing believers in the surrounding villages, beating and threatening
Christian children to convert to Islam or leave the area.'
http://www.answeringmuslims.com/2010/08/pakistani-muslims-continue-gang-raping.html
As I pointed out in the comment section:
It ... concerns me, that these culprints were all islamic students?
If raping Christian 'dhimmis' or non-believers is completely 'haram' in the Islamic religion, as some Muslims would assert (and we know from various Bukhari and Sahih Muslim passages that such is permitted) would not at least some of these youngsters oppose the act of gang-raping a Christian girl?
My question is: what makes a group of Islamic students studying Islam in a Pakistani madrassa, wanna teach the Christians (who are already dhimmis, second class citizens and suppressed) a lesson, and lesson for what?
1. What makes these students and followers of Islam gang-rape a 12 year old Christian girl?
2. What kind of a twisted mindset inspires students of the Qur’an and the Sunnah to instigate terror on suppressed Christians who are not even able to, nor have the right to defend themselves?
3. What inspires Islamic student to roam on the streets and beat and threaten Christian children either to convert to Islam or to escape the area?
What would Muslims make out of it if 10 Christian Bible students harassed local Muslim children (who were already suppressed) and gang-raped a 12 year old Muslim girl. Furthermore, what would Muslims conclude if the Christian institution and the Christian local authority condoned this action?
1. Keep in mind this incident in Pakistan did not take place in the North West Frontier, or in Taliban area but in close proximity to Islamabad the capital of Pakistan.
2. Keep also in mind that the inspiration that occupies the soul, mind and action of these kids can only derive from influence of the Qur’an and the Hadiths.
From where then does such inspiration derive?
It’s a fact that Muhammed’s close followers raped females:
Narrated Buraida: The prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus (part of the war booty) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath (after a sexual act with a slave girl from the Khumus). I said to Khalid, "Don't you see this (i.e. Ali)? When we reached the prophet I mentioned that to him. He said, "O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Do you hate him for he deserves more than that from the Khumus." (Sahih Bukhari, vol.5, #637)
That Muhammad and Muslims in general were permitted to engage in sex with slave girls is clearly stated by the Qur'an:
Prophet, We have made lawful to you the wives whom you have granted dowries and the slave girls whom God has given you as booty;..." (Sura 33: 50)
These slave girls are according to the passage girls capture in war; hence this suggests sex by force or sex forced upon individuals who simply have not choice but to surrender to such attrocities.
The permission to rape females in Islam is further established by these passages (among others):
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri that during the battle with Bani Al-Mustaliq they (Muslims) captured some females and intended to have sexual relations with them without impregnating them. So they asked the prophet about coitus interruptus. The prophet said, "It is better that you should not do it, for Allah has written whom He is going to create till the Day of Resurrection". (Sahih Bukhari, vol.9, #506) (further reference Bukhari 5: 459)
Abu Sirma said to Abu Said al Khudri: "O Abu Said, did you hear Allah's messenger mentioning about al-azl (coitus interrupts)?" He said, "Yes", and added: "We went out with Allah's messenger on the expedition to the Mustaliq and took captive some excellent Arab women; and we desired them for we were suffering from the absence of our wives, (but at the same time) we also desired ransom for them. So we decided to have sexual intercourse with them but by observing azl" (withdrawing the male sexual organ before emission of semen to avoid conception). But we said: "We are doing an act whereas Allah's messenger is amongst us; why not ask him?" So we asked Allah's messenger and he said: "It does not matter if you do not do it, for every soul that is to be born up to the Day of Resurrection will be born". (Sahih Muslim vol.2, # 3371)
Abu Said al-Khudri said: "The apostle of Allah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of the apostle of Allah were reluctant to have intercourse with the female captives in the presence of their husbands who were unbelievers. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Quranic verse, "And all married women (are forbidden) unto your save those (captives) whom your right hand possesses". That is to say, they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period."" [The Quran verse is 4:24]. (Sunan of Abu Dawud, vol.2, #2150)
It’s also a fact that dhimmis are to be subjugated and suppressed (according to Islam):
Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the people of the Scripture, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued (Sura 9: 29).
My question is this: is rape and subjugation entirely foreign to the religion of Islam, or does it reveal an element within the nature of the Islamic mindset?
Can we truly blame a gang of Islamic students for suppressing the suppressed and raping a 12 year old girl from another religion, when the earliest Muslims and their holy writings themselves condone and instigate such actions?
Friday, August 20, 2010
David and Sam on "Jesus or Muhammad" This Saturday and Sunday! (August 21-22)
If you didn't get enough "Jesus or Muhammad" this week with Dr. James White . . .
If you want to see the Gospel defended and Islam exposed . . .
If you think you can handle a little more . . .
Sam and I will be on "Jesus or Muhammad" this Saturday (10:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time) and Sunday (8:00 P.M. EST). On one show, we'll be discussing the testimony of Sheikh Suhaib Webb, a popular speaker who converted to Islam. On the other show, we'll be discussing Uthman's Original "Burn a Qur'an Day."
Be sure to tune in if you get ABN via satellite. If you don't get the channel, you can watch live on the internet here.
If you want to see the Gospel defended and Islam exposed . . .
If you think you can handle a little more . . .
Sam and I will be on "Jesus or Muhammad" this Saturday (10:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time) and Sunday (8:00 P.M. EST). On one show, we'll be discussing the testimony of Sheikh Suhaib Webb, a popular speaker who converted to Islam. On the other show, we'll be discussing Uthman's Original "Burn a Qur'an Day."
Be sure to tune in if you get ABN via satellite. If you don't get the channel, you can watch live on the internet here.
Miss USA Rima Fakih Opposes Ground Zero Mosque
Regardless of what you think of her stripper photos, this young Muslimah gets major cool points for speaking her mind on such a sensitive issue (and for getting things right!). As far as the United States Constitution is concerned, Muslims have every right to build a mosque at Ground Zero. But when we consider that (1) the 9-11 attacks were carried out by Muslims fighting for Islamic supremacy, (2) many family members of 9-11 victims oppose a mosque at Ground Zero, and (3) most Americans oppose a mosque at Ground Zero, common sense should tell Muslims that this isn't a good idea.Huffington Post--Rima Fakih, the first Muslim Miss USA, has come out against the location of the so-called "Ground Zero mosque."
Fakih, whose faith caused a bit of an uproar when she was first crowned, told Inside Edition on Monday that while she concurs with President Obama on the need for the protection of religious freedom, she also feels that the placement of the Park51 center is a little too close for comfort.
"I totally agree with President Obama with the statement on Constitutional rights of freedom of religion," Fakih tells the show. "I also agree that it shouldn't be so close to the World Trade Center. We should be more concerned with the tragedy than religion."
Acts Chapter Twenty
Acts Chapter Twenty (NIV)
Acts Chapter Twenty (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-6: Paul visits Macedonia and Greece.
Verses 7-16: Paul raises a young man from the dead.
Verses 17-38: Paul gives his farewell address to the elders of Ephesus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 20:8-10--"There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, 'Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.'" The "many lamps" would have reduced the oxygen in the room. Eutychus apparently sat in the window to catch some fresh air, but the late night discussion made him drowsy. He was "taken up dead," but Paul raised him from the dead.
(B) Acts 20:24--"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." This is, in my opinion, one of the coolest verses in the Bible.
(C) Acts 20:28--"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." This is an important verse for discussions of the Deity of Christ. Paul says that God obtained the church "with his own blood." There are two possible interpretations. First, "God" here could refer to Jesus, in which case the verse says that Jesus, who is God, purchased the church with His own blood. Second, since "blood" can refer to relatives or offspring, the verse could be saying that God the Father purchased the church with His own blood, i.e. His own Son. Either way, this verse proclaims the Deity of Christ. (On a different note, Paul tells the leaders to "Pay careful attention to yourselves," meaning that leaders are to be especially vigilant watching over their own spiritual condition, since they set the example for others.)
(D) Acts 20:29-30--"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." Timothy later served in Ephesus. Paul's letters to Timothy show that he was right when he said that false teachers would arise in Ephesus.
Acts Chapter Twenty (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-6: Paul visits Macedonia and Greece.
Verses 7-16: Paul raises a young man from the dead.
Verses 17-38: Paul gives his farewell address to the elders of Ephesus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 20:8-10--"There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, 'Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.'" The "many lamps" would have reduced the oxygen in the room. Eutychus apparently sat in the window to catch some fresh air, but the late night discussion made him drowsy. He was "taken up dead," but Paul raised him from the dead.
(B) Acts 20:24--"But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." This is, in my opinion, one of the coolest verses in the Bible.
(C) Acts 20:28--"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." This is an important verse for discussions of the Deity of Christ. Paul says that God obtained the church "with his own blood." There are two possible interpretations. First, "God" here could refer to Jesus, in which case the verse says that Jesus, who is God, purchased the church with His own blood. Second, since "blood" can refer to relatives or offspring, the verse could be saying that God the Father purchased the church with His own blood, i.e. His own Son. Either way, this verse proclaims the Deity of Christ. (On a different note, Paul tells the leaders to "Pay careful attention to yourselves," meaning that leaders are to be especially vigilant watching over their own spiritual condition, since they set the example for others.)
(D) Acts 20:29-30--"I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them." Timothy later served in Ephesus. Paul's letters to Timothy show that he was right when he said that false teachers would arise in Ephesus.
Pakistani Muslims Continue Gang-Raping Christian Girls (While Western Muslims Look on in Silence)
CANADA FREE PRESS--Two Christian girls in Pakistan’s Punjab province were brutally raped in recent weeks. On July 22, a group of madrassa (Islamic school) students gang-raped a 12-year-old Christian girl in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi district. A teacher who reportedly witnessed the rape stated:
“Three or four Christian girls were washing dishes near a pond…. These guys ran towards them, and the girls started running. One of them fell on the ground, and these madrassa students got hold of her and took her in the fields. I tried to stop them, but they were 15-16 in number.” Seven or eight of the boys reportedly then raped the girl while the others looked on. Before the attack began, the teacher overheard one of the students say, “We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget.”
The Christian girl, whose name has been withheld, was left in the field until some villagers eventually took her home to her family. The girl’s father and the teacher have attempted to file a complaint but the officer in charge has refused to comply. Another officer has since admitted that they are under pressure from Muslim leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a report. The madrassa students had reportedly been harassing believers in the surrounding villages, beating and threatening Christian children to convert to Islam or leave the area.
A 16-year-old Christian girl, whose name has also been withheld, was raped by three men on July 21 in Farooqabad. The three men, who work for the same Muslim employer as her father, overpowered her while she was at home. They then raped her while threatening that they would shoot her in the forehead if she screamed for help. The next morning, the girl’s father, Ghafoor Masih, went to the police station to file a report but the Station House Officer Inspector refused his requests. However, due to pressure from a superior officer, the Inspector finally registered the complaint on July 29. While Ghafoor was on his way home from filing the report, two other Muslims who work for his employer reportedly intercepted and kidnapped him. The men took Ghafoor to their employer’s home where they and another employee shackled and tortured him, leaving him in critical condition. At last report, several of the perpetrators had been arrested. “Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel,” the national director of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement said. “Such vicious incidents are not being stopped by the government, and day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging.”
“Three or four Christian girls were washing dishes near a pond…. These guys ran towards them, and the girls started running. One of them fell on the ground, and these madrassa students got hold of her and took her in the fields. I tried to stop them, but they were 15-16 in number.” Seven or eight of the boys reportedly then raped the girl while the others looked on. Before the attack began, the teacher overheard one of the students say, “We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget.”
The Christian girl, whose name has been withheld, was left in the field until some villagers eventually took her home to her family. The girl’s father and the teacher have attempted to file a complaint but the officer in charge has refused to comply. Another officer has since admitted that they are under pressure from Muslim leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a report. The madrassa students had reportedly been harassing believers in the surrounding villages, beating and threatening Christian children to convert to Islam or leave the area.
A 16-year-old Christian girl, whose name has also been withheld, was raped by three men on July 21 in Farooqabad. The three men, who work for the same Muslim employer as her father, overpowered her while she was at home. They then raped her while threatening that they would shoot her in the forehead if she screamed for help. The next morning, the girl’s father, Ghafoor Masih, went to the police station to file a report but the Station House Officer Inspector refused his requests. However, due to pressure from a superior officer, the Inspector finally registered the complaint on July 29. While Ghafoor was on his way home from filing the report, two other Muslims who work for his employer reportedly intercepted and kidnapped him. The men took Ghafoor to their employer’s home where they and another employee shackled and tortured him, leaving him in critical condition. At last report, several of the perpetrators had been arrested. “Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel,” the national director of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement said. “Such vicious incidents are not being stopped by the government, and day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging.”
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Acts Chapter Nineteen
Acts Chapter Nineteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Nineteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-10: Paul preaches and teaches in Ephesus.
Verses 11-20: Seven sons of Sceva are cast out of the house while trying to cast out a demon.
Verses 21-41: A riot breaks out in Ephesus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 19:11-12--"And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them." There can be no question that God's anointing was on Paul, confirming his status as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
(B) Acts 19:15--"But the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?'" Casting out demons isn't a matter of reciting particular words. Such work demands an appropriate relationship with Jesus Christ. Attempting to confront demons without God's protection is inviting an attack.
(C) Acts 19:30--"But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him." The crowd would most likely have torn Paul to pieces, yet he still wanted to enter the crowd in order to preach.
(D) Acts 19:35--"And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, 'Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?'" In the ancient world, cities would often treat meteorites as objects that fell from heaven. Interestingly, Muhammad often kissed one of these "sacred stones," which is still kissed by Muslims to this day. The Bible condemns reverence for sacred stones, as can be seen in the following passage:
Here the Bible says that Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and as an example the passage notes that he "smashed the sacred stones." This clearly condemns Muhammad, who taught his followers to kiss a sacred stone. We read in the History of at-Tabari (Volume 6, p. 101):
On a completely different note, notice that Muhammad promised to slaughter the Meccans, after he had (1) derided their traditional values, (2) abused their forefathers, (3) reviled their religion, (4) caused division among them, and (5) insulted their gods. This is quite different from the picture of Muhammad presented by Muslims in the West.
Acts Chapter Nineteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-10: Paul preaches and teaches in Ephesus.
Verses 11-20: Seven sons of Sceva are cast out of the house while trying to cast out a demon.
Verses 21-41: A riot breaks out in Ephesus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 19:11-12--"And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his skin were carried away to the sick, and their diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them." There can be no question that God's anointing was on Paul, confirming his status as an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
(B) Acts 19:15--"But the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?'" Casting out demons isn't a matter of reciting particular words. Such work demands an appropriate relationship with Jesus Christ. Attempting to confront demons without God's protection is inviting an attack.
(C) Acts 19:30--"But when Paul wished to go in among the crowd, the disciples would not let him." The crowd would most likely have torn Paul to pieces, yet he still wanted to enter the crowd in order to preach.
(D) Acts 19:35--"And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, 'Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky?'" In the ancient world, cities would often treat meteorites as objects that fell from heaven. Interestingly, Muhammad often kissed one of these "sacred stones," which is still kissed by Muslims to this day. The Bible condemns reverence for sacred stones, as can be seen in the following passage:
2 Kings 18:1-4--"In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother's name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done. He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it. (See also 2 Kings 23:14, where Josiah smashes sacred stones.)
Here the Bible says that Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and as an example the passage notes that he "smashed the sacred stones." This clearly condemns Muhammad, who taught his followers to kiss a sacred stone. We read in the History of at-Tabari (Volume 6, p. 101):
Ibn Humayd- Salamah- Muhammad b. Ishaq- Yahya b. ‘Urwah b. al-Zubayr- his father ‘Urwah-‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As: I said to him, "What was the worst attack you saw by Quraysh upon the Messenger of God when they openly showed their enmity to him?" He replied, "I was with them when their nobles assembled one day in the Hijr and discussed the Messenger of God. They said, ‘We have never seen the like of what we have endured from this man. He has derided our traditional values, abused our forefathers, reviled our religion, caused division among us, and insulted our gods. We have endured a great deal from him,’ or words to that effect. While they were saying this, the Messenger of God suddenly appeared and walked up and kissed the Black Stone. Then he passed by them while performing the circumambulation, and as he did so they made some slanderous remarks about him. I could see from the Messenger of God’s face that he had heard them, but he went on. When he passed the second time they made similar remarks, and I could see from his face that he had heard them, but again he went on. Then he passed them the third time, and they made similar remarks; but this time he stopped and said, ‘Hear, men of Quraysh. By Him in whose hand Muhammad’s soul rests, I have brought you slaughter.’ They were gripped by what he said, and it was as though every man of them had a bird perched on his head; even those of them who had been urging the severest measures against him previously spoke in conciliatory ways to him, using the politest expressions they could think of, and said, ‘Depart in true guidance, Abu al-Qasim; by God you were never ignorant.’"
On a completely different note, notice that Muhammad promised to slaughter the Meccans, after he had (1) derided their traditional values, (2) abused their forefathers, (3) reviled their religion, (4) caused division among them, and (5) insulted their gods. This is quite different from the picture of Muhammad presented by Muslims in the West.
An Outsider's Observation and Perspective
While I am not living in USA, I have to say that the anti-Christian, liberal, and extreme pro-Islamic movement astonishes me. I guess this is what we Christians refer to as the spirit of anti-Christ.
What do we mean by that! Well in what sense do liberalism, atheism (frequently) and Islam cohere together? Where is the logic? Personally as I see it: these, despite their diversity all originate from the same root!
Here is a comment I found on a forum related to the possibility that Obama is a Muslim in disguise. More and more Americans seem to take this view onboard.
What really concerns me when I read such information is not merely Obama religious view, but the collective force, the trend in USA of liberalists, atheists, media, the political system along with Islam that manages to suppress Christianity to such an extent that the next step practically speaking can only result in serious future injustice against the Christian community.
We can only imagine the effect when such individuals are placed in every significant post of the American society, whether religious affairs, foreign ministry and national security. Such individuals will simply sell or hand over your nation and rights to foreign forces and cultures, typically due to political correctness or due to decades of mind-twisting liberal and postmodernist philosophies.
Anyway here is the comment!
(I would like to know if all these points are based upon reality and whether the situation really is what the comment portrays.
PS: There are some offensive points in the comment, I have not removed these for the sake of not corrupting a text borrowed elsewhere.)
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_poll_obama_s_religion
What do we mean by that! Well in what sense do liberalism, atheism (frequently) and Islam cohere together? Where is the logic? Personally as I see it: these, despite their diversity all originate from the same root!
Here is a comment I found on a forum related to the possibility that Obama is a Muslim in disguise. More and more Americans seem to take this view onboard.
What really concerns me when I read such information is not merely Obama religious view, but the collective force, the trend in USA of liberalists, atheists, media, the political system along with Islam that manages to suppress Christianity to such an extent that the next step practically speaking can only result in serious future injustice against the Christian community.
We can only imagine the effect when such individuals are placed in every significant post of the American society, whether religious affairs, foreign ministry and national security. Such individuals will simply sell or hand over your nation and rights to foreign forces and cultures, typically due to political correctness or due to decades of mind-twisting liberal and postmodernist philosophies.
Anyway here is the comment!
(I would like to know if all these points are based upon reality and whether the situation really is what the comment portrays.
PS: There are some offensive points in the comment, I have not removed these for the sake of not corrupting a text borrowed elsewhere.)
You decide for yourself America:
A Christian University is asked to
cover all Crosses in order to have the Pres to speak there, so that it wouldn't
offend "the muslims."
Christians are asked to pray in the street and not
on the lawn of the white house, just a couple of weeks ago;
White House
holds "ram-a-@#$% dinner", a muslim holiday, this last week at the white house;
NASA is asked to not explore space, but to "reach out to the muslim
nations, and let them know how much they've contributed to "space innovation";
Our pres has repeatedly said we are "not a Christian Nation."
Is
he Christian or Muslim?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100819/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_poll_obama_s_religion
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Acts Chapter Eighteen
Acts Chapter Eighteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Eighteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-17: Paul preaches and teaches in Corinth.
Verses 18-23: Paul ends his second missionary journey and returns to Antioch.
Verses 24-28: Apollos learns the Gospel and refutes his opponents in Corinth.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 18:7--"And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue." Paul moves in to a house next door to the Jewish synagogue. This couldn't have pleased Paul's Jewish opponents.
Acts 18:17--"And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this." Once again, Paul's preaching got other people in trouble. Here the ruler of the synagogue (who had most likely become a Christian) was beaten in order to vent anger at Paul.
Acts 18:24-25--"Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." Apparently, Apollos knew some of the facts about Jesus' life and ministry, without knowing the full Gospel. Priscilla and Aquila explain things more fully to him.
Acts 18:27-28--"When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." Here vigorously refuting non-Christians in public is considered a "great help" to believers.
Acts Chapter Eighteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-17: Paul preaches and teaches in Corinth.
Verses 18-23: Paul ends his second missionary journey and returns to Antioch.
Verses 24-28: Apollos learns the Gospel and refutes his opponents in Corinth.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 18:7--"And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue." Paul moves in to a house next door to the Jewish synagogue. This couldn't have pleased Paul's Jewish opponents.
Acts 18:17--"And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this." Once again, Paul's preaching got other people in trouble. Here the ruler of the synagogue (who had most likely become a Christian) was beaten in order to vent anger at Paul.
Acts 18:24-25--"Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John." Apparently, Apollos knew some of the facts about Jesus' life and ministry, without knowing the full Gospel. Priscilla and Aquila explain things more fully to him.
Acts 18:27-28--"When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus." Here vigorously refuting non-Christians in public is considered a "great help" to believers.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Role Reversal Saudi Comedy Provokes Anger among Male Population
All is not lost in Saudi Arabia.
Shame on them! Everyone knows that Christians are the "worst of creatures."
Telegraph--By Richard Spencer
A role reversal comedy shown on Saudi television in which a woman marries four husbands has hit the very nerve it satirised - male pride and double standards.
The comedy was an episode in Saudi Arabia’s most celebrated satirical series, Tash Ma Tash or No Big Deal, a take-off of social prejudices shown annually during the holy month of Ramadan.
The central character takes four husbands, explaining herself using the conventional arguments Saudi men use to exercise their legal and religious privilege of marrying four times.
When she remarries for the first time she complains that her existing husband has stopped caring about his looks after five years, and is preoccupied with work.
The next marriage is for a dare with friends, and the fourth marriage, to a Syrian, she explains by saying that she is now bored with Saudi men.
Then she decides she wants to marry for a fifth time, making the four husbands draw lots to see who will be divorced and plunging them into a morass of jealousy.
Conservative imams, currently on the defensive as King Abdullah attempts to modernise some social attitudes in the country, have been predictably hostile, while men on internet bulletin boards have attacked the series as promoting prostitution.
“What this does is hurt us,” said one imam, Sheikh Saad Al-Buraik. “In the name of comedy, they make fun of our religion and beliefs.” There are regular calls to ban Tash Ma Tash, but it is said to be one of King Abdullah’s favourite programmes. Last week, an episode also provoked controversy, portraying two men who visit the brother of their dead mother, a foreign-born Arab, only to discover he is a Christian priest.
The shock lies in discovering that despite his religion, they come to respect him for his honesty and generosity.
Shame on them! Everyone knows that Christians are the "worst of creatures."
Qur'an 98:6--Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islam, the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him)) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikun will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures.
Acts Chapter Seventeen
Acts Chapter Seventeen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Seventeen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-9: Paul preaches to the Thessalonians.
Verses 10-15: Paul preaches in Berea.
Verses 16-21: Paul reasons with the Athenians.
Verses 22-34: Paul addresses the Court of the Areopagus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 17:2-3--"And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'" This passage notes that it was Paul's custom to enter Jewish synagogues in order to demonstrate from the Jewish scriptures that Jesus had to die and rise from the dead.
(B) Acts 17:6-7--"And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.'” Paul's preaching made things difficult not only for himself, but for the other Christians in Thessalonica as well.
(C) Acts 17:11--"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." It is a virtue in Christianity to carefully examine the evidence with an open mind.
(D) Acts 17:19--"And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, 'May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?'" The Areopagus wasn't merely a meeting place. It was a kind of court that could hand down rulings on religious and moral issues. Paul is on trial so that the court could make a decision as to whether his claims were harmful to the city.
(E) Acts 17:22-23--"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To the unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.'" Many cities in the ancient world had altars to unknown gods, showing that people were worried about not giving some unknown god the proper respect. Paul sees the altar as an acknowledgement that they didn't possess the full truth, and that they should therefore be open to his preaching.
(F) Acts 17:24-25--"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." From the Areopagus, there would have been a clear view of the Acropolis, with numerous temples and idols. Paul asserts that the true God doesn't need these things. (Note: This would have been extremely offensive to the Athenians.)
(G) Acts 17:27-28--"Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’" Paul quotes pagan poets to show that even the pagans had some understanding of a God who is the source of everything.
(H) Acts 17:29--"Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man." Since God created man, and man creates idols, we shouldn't think that God is somehow like our idols, which are less complex than we are.
(I) Acts 17:30-31--"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Paul refers to the time before the preaching of the Gospel as "times of ignorance" (certainly not the most seeker-friendly way to put things!). Paul also says that God has given proof of the Christian message by raising Jesus from the dead. Christianity, contrary to the claims of skeptics and even some Christians, isn't based on blind faith.
Acts Chapter Seventeen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-9: Paul preaches to the Thessalonians.
Verses 10-15: Paul preaches in Berea.
Verses 16-21: Paul reasons with the Athenians.
Verses 22-34: Paul addresses the Court of the Areopagus.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 17:2-3--"And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.'" This passage notes that it was Paul's custom to enter Jewish synagogues in order to demonstrate from the Jewish scriptures that Jesus had to die and rise from the dead.
(B) Acts 17:6-7--"And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, 'These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.'” Paul's preaching made things difficult not only for himself, but for the other Christians in Thessalonica as well.
(C) Acts 17:11--"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." It is a virtue in Christianity to carefully examine the evidence with an open mind.
(D) Acts 17:19--"And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, 'May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?'" The Areopagus wasn't merely a meeting place. It was a kind of court that could hand down rulings on religious and moral issues. Paul is on trial so that the court could make a decision as to whether his claims were harmful to the city.
(E) Acts 17:22-23--"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, "To the unknown god." What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.'" Many cities in the ancient world had altars to unknown gods, showing that people were worried about not giving some unknown god the proper respect. Paul sees the altar as an acknowledgement that they didn't possess the full truth, and that they should therefore be open to his preaching.
(F) Acts 17:24-25--"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything." From the Areopagus, there would have been a clear view of the Acropolis, with numerous temples and idols. Paul asserts that the true God doesn't need these things. (Note: This would have been extremely offensive to the Athenians.)
(G) Acts 17:27-28--"Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’" Paul quotes pagan poets to show that even the pagans had some understanding of a God who is the source of everything.
(H) Acts 17:29--"Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man." Since God created man, and man creates idols, we shouldn't think that God is somehow like our idols, which are less complex than we are.
(I) Acts 17:30-31--"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Paul refers to the time before the preaching of the Gospel as "times of ignorance" (certainly not the most seeker-friendly way to put things!). Paul also says that God has given proof of the Christian message by raising Jesus from the dead. Christianity, contrary to the claims of skeptics and even some Christians, isn't based on blind faith.
James White on "Jesus or Muhammad" Tuesday through Friday!
The notoriously infamous James White will attempt to fill the shoes of both David Wood and Sam Shamoun this week on "Jesus or Muhammad." If you don't get the channel via satellite, you can watch live on the net here. Be sure to support ABN so that they can continue producing shows defending the Gospel and refuting Islam.
Here's the schedule with James (Eastern Standard Time):
Tues 8:30p-10p
Wed 8p-10p
Thurs 8:30p-10:30p
Fri 8:30p-10:30p
Here's the schedule with James (Eastern Standard Time):
Tues 8:30p-10p
Wed 8p-10p
Thurs 8:30p-10:30p
Fri 8:30p-10:30p
Monday, August 16, 2010
Acts Chapter Sixteen
Acts Chapter Sixteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Sixteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-5: Timothy joins Paul and Silas.
Verses 6-10: Through a vision, God calls Paul to Macedonia.
Verses 11-15: Lydia becomes a Christian.
Verses 16-24: Paul and Silas are beaten and jailed.
Verses 25-40: The Philippian jailer becomes a Christian (along with his family).
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 16:3--"Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek." Paul always resisted the claim that circumcision was necessary for salvation. But he also refused to put stumbling blocks in people's way when he preached. Since Paul typically entered Jewish synagogues to preach, and since Timothy would have been considered Jewish (because his mother was Jewish), Paul circumcised Timothy so that Timothy could work with him effectively among the Jews.
(B) Acts 16:10--"And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Notice that the pronoun shifts to "we" here. This must have been when Luke joined Paul's group.
(C) Acts 16:25--"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." The most common argument against Theism is the "Argument from Evil." If God exists, why is there so much suffering? Why doesn't He protect us? It's interesting to see how different the reaction to suffering was in the first century. Paul was routinely beaten, abused, and tortured, yet it never occurred to Paul to say, "Wait a minute! I believe in God. Surely a powerful and loving God would make sure that I don't suffer. Thus, since I'm suffering, God must not exist." For Paul, and for most others in the ancient world, pain and pleasure weren't at the top of the list of priorities. In today's world, well . . .
(D) Acts 16:36-37--"And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” Paul demands public acknowledgement that his civil rights were violated. Interesting.
Acts Chapter Sixteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-5: Timothy joins Paul and Silas.
Verses 6-10: Through a vision, God calls Paul to Macedonia.
Verses 11-15: Lydia becomes a Christian.
Verses 16-24: Paul and Silas are beaten and jailed.
Verses 25-40: The Philippian jailer becomes a Christian (along with his family).
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 16:3--"Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek." Paul always resisted the claim that circumcision was necessary for salvation. But he also refused to put stumbling blocks in people's way when he preached. Since Paul typically entered Jewish synagogues to preach, and since Timothy would have been considered Jewish (because his mother was Jewish), Paul circumcised Timothy so that Timothy could work with him effectively among the Jews.
(B) Acts 16:10--"And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." Notice that the pronoun shifts to "we" here. This must have been when Luke joined Paul's group.
(C) Acts 16:25--"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them." The most common argument against Theism is the "Argument from Evil." If God exists, why is there so much suffering? Why doesn't He protect us? It's interesting to see how different the reaction to suffering was in the first century. Paul was routinely beaten, abused, and tortured, yet it never occurred to Paul to say, "Wait a minute! I believe in God. Surely a powerful and loving God would make sure that I don't suffer. Thus, since I'm suffering, God must not exist." For Paul, and for most others in the ancient world, pain and pleasure weren't at the top of the list of priorities. In today's world, well . . .
(D) Acts 16:36-37--"And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.” But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” Paul demands public acknowledgement that his civil rights were violated. Interesting.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Islam, the Incredible Shrinking Religion
If Islam were the largest religion in the world, we could be sure that Muslims would be shouting it from the rooftops (right along with “Allahu Akhbar”, “Death to the Infidels”, and “I love the Dearborn Police”). Since this isn’t the case, Muslims have to settle for the doubtable, second-rate claim that Islam is the fastest growing religion, a claim made with such frequency and often interjected into discussions at the oddest points (usually when things are going badly), that you get the impression many Muslims think this constitutes some kind of an argument for the divine origin of Islam. Sometimes I hear this claim so often in the space of a single day or week that I am almost inclined to believe, whatever may be said for the truth or falsity of this assertion, that this is the fastest growing argument for Islam.
The point of this post, however, is not to look at whether this claim is true or false as far as the hard evidence goes, which should be fine since most Muslims making this claim don’t know the first thing about how they would go about proving it anyway (and the burden to do so rests on them). Neither is it the point of this post to challenge whether such a claim can properly be considered an argument that Islam is true even if it is the fastest growing religion, though it may be said briefly that this would no more constitute a positive argument for the truth, goodness or beauty of Islam than it would for gangrene, which also spreads quite rapidly. Rather, the point of the present post is to observe that this idea actually contradicts what is taught in Muslim sources.
To make this argument, at least two things must be born in mind:
In the first place, according to the Qur’an, before anyone was ever born, Allah extracted all people from the loins of Adam’s children and made everyone testify to Islamic monotheism:
But if everyone is born a Muslim (as Muslims claim), and if the majority of people in the world are not Muslims (as Muslims are forced to admit), then this means that non-Muslims, i.e. those who comprise the majority of people in the world, actually turned from Islam some time after they were born, thus committing apostasy in some sense. It also means, and here is the punch line: According to Islamic sources, Islam is the fastest shrinking religion on the planet.
The point of this post, however, is not to look at whether this claim is true or false as far as the hard evidence goes, which should be fine since most Muslims making this claim don’t know the first thing about how they would go about proving it anyway (and the burden to do so rests on them). Neither is it the point of this post to challenge whether such a claim can properly be considered an argument that Islam is true even if it is the fastest growing religion, though it may be said briefly that this would no more constitute a positive argument for the truth, goodness or beauty of Islam than it would for gangrene, which also spreads quite rapidly. Rather, the point of the present post is to observe that this idea actually contradicts what is taught in Muslim sources.
To make this argument, at least two things must be born in mind:
In the first place, according to the Qur’an, before anyone was ever born, Allah extracted all people from the loins of Adam’s children and made everyone testify to Islamic monotheism:
Commenting on these ayats, Ibn Kathir said:When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?" - They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful": Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?" (YA, Surah 7:172-173)
Secondly, not only did Allah extract everyone from the loins of Adam’s children before their birth and make them testify that Allah is their lord to the exclusion of all others, but everyone at the time of their actual birth “is born upon this fitrah”, as Ibn Kathir also says above. This point is confirmed by Bukhari in the following hadith:“Allah stated that He brought the descendants of Adam out of their fathers' loins, and they testified against themselves that Allah is their Lord and King and that there is no deity worthy of worship except Him. Allah created them on this Fitrah, or way, just as He said, (So set you (O Muhammad) your face truly towards the religion, Hanifan. Allah's Fitrah with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalqillah.) [30:30]….” (Tafsir Ibn Kathir)
Because Muslims believe that everyone was made to testify to the truth of Islamic monotheism and later were born Muslims, with the added idea that it is their parents who make them a Jew or a Christian, they will often tell people that Islam is their “birthright”. Similarly, when people convert to Islam, Muslims will speak of them as “reverts” rather than as converts, because on this view they are returning to the state of nature in which they were created.Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "No child is born but has the Islamic Faith, but its parents turn it into a Jew or a Christian. It is as you help the animals give birth. Do you find among their offspring a mutilated one before you mutilate them yourself?" The people said, "O Allah's Apostle! What do you think about those (of them) who die young?" The Prophet said, "Allah knows what they would have done (were they to live)." (Bukhari, 8.77.597)
But if everyone is born a Muslim (as Muslims claim), and if the majority of people in the world are not Muslims (as Muslims are forced to admit), then this means that non-Muslims, i.e. those who comprise the majority of people in the world, actually turned from Islam some time after they were born, thus committing apostasy in some sense. It also means, and here is the punch line: According to Islamic sources, Islam is the fastest shrinking religion on the planet.
Acts Chapter Fifteen
Acts Chapter Fifteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Fifteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: The Council in Jerusalem.
Verses 22-35: The Council sends a letter.
Verses 36-41: Paul and Barnabas separate.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 15:1--"Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'" The Jews were given the Law first, then the Gospel. Many of them therefore assumed that all believers should follow the same pattern--submit to the Law, then believe the Gospel. As Peter points out (vv. 8-9), the Holy Spirit had already come upon Gentiles, without their submitting to Jewish Law.
Acts 15:19-20--"Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood." The decision from James shows his wisdom. Gentiles did not need to submit to the Jewish Law. However, many Jewish believers still adhered to Jewish dietary practices, etc. James orders the Gentile Christians to submit to some of the dietary restrictions so that there could be fellowship among the Jewish and Gentile believers. The additional command, to abstain from sexual immorality, was likely given because many of the Gentile believers would have been brought up in an atmosphere where sexual immorality was quite common. Thus, James places special emphasis on sexual purity.
Acts 15:39-40--"And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord." Throughout Acts, problems arise. Yet we see how those problems always turn out for the furtherance of the Gospel. Here, Paul and Barnabas part ways. But the result is two separate missionary teams.
Acts Chapter Fifteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-21: The Council in Jerusalem.
Verses 22-35: The Council sends a letter.
Verses 36-41: Paul and Barnabas separate.
II. KEY PASSAGES
Acts 15:1--"Some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.'" The Jews were given the Law first, then the Gospel. Many of them therefore assumed that all believers should follow the same pattern--submit to the Law, then believe the Gospel. As Peter points out (vv. 8-9), the Holy Spirit had already come upon Gentiles, without their submitting to Jewish Law.
Acts 15:19-20--"Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood." The decision from James shows his wisdom. Gentiles did not need to submit to the Jewish Law. However, many Jewish believers still adhered to Jewish dietary practices, etc. James orders the Gentile Christians to submit to some of the dietary restrictions so that there could be fellowship among the Jewish and Gentile believers. The additional command, to abstain from sexual immorality, was likely given because many of the Gentile believers would have been brought up in an atmosphere where sexual immorality was quite common. Thus, James places special emphasis on sexual purity.
Acts 15:39-40--"And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord." Throughout Acts, problems arise. Yet we see how those problems always turn out for the furtherance of the Gospel. Here, Paul and Barnabas part ways. But the result is two separate missionary teams.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Did Muhammad fight before the hijrah?
In the histories I have read about Muhammad, I have been told that before the hijrah he endured suffering and shame from the Meccans and never fought or was violent. I may have misunderstood the Muslim claim but this is what I understand, that Muhammad did not fight before the hijrah.
However, I am reading my way through the qur'an and it seems this understanding of Muhammad's life does not work easily.
In Sura 16 (the bee)Islamic scholars say that verse 110 comes for the Medinan period and has been inserted into this Meccan sura.
The reason for saying this verse is inserted is that it refers to fighting in a Meccan period sura.
My problem is that it does not read as though it has been inserted. In fact is flows with the argument of the sura and seems to be repeated as an idea in later verses.
The issues I want to discuss are:
1. If the Qur'an is the best source for understanding Muhammad's life (and I think it is), then doesn't it appear that he was fighting before the hijrah? Maybe the hijrah happened not because Muhammad was the victim but because he was the unsuccessful aggressor?
2. Is it right for Muslim scholars to use the theory of "inserted verses" to explain why their reconstruction of Muhammad's life does not match up with what the Qur'an says?
What do you think?
However, I am reading my way through the qur'an and it seems this understanding of Muhammad's life does not work easily.
In Sura 16 (the bee)Islamic scholars say that verse 110 comes for the Medinan period and has been inserted into this Meccan sura.
Then lo! thy Lord - for those who became fugitives after they had been persecuted, and then fought and were steadfast - lo! thy Lord afterward is (for them) indeed Forgiving, Merciful. 16:110
The reason for saying this verse is inserted is that it refers to fighting in a Meccan period sura.
My problem is that it does not read as though it has been inserted. In fact is flows with the argument of the sura and seems to be repeated as an idea in later verses.
If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient. Endure thou patiently (O Muhammad). Thine endurance is only by (the help of) Allah. Grieve not for them, and be not in distress because of that which they devise. 16:126-127
The issues I want to discuss are:
1. If the Qur'an is the best source for understanding Muhammad's life (and I think it is), then doesn't it appear that he was fighting before the hijrah? Maybe the hijrah happened not because Muhammad was the victim but because he was the unsuccessful aggressor?
2. Is it right for Muslim scholars to use the theory of "inserted verses" to explain why their reconstruction of Muhammad's life does not match up with what the Qur'an says?
What do you think?
Acts Chapter Fourteen
Acts Chapter Fourteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Fourteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-7: Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium.
Verses 8-18: Paul and Barnabas preach in Lystra.
Verses 19-23: Paul stoned for preaching in Lystra.
Verses 24-28: Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 14:14-15--"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you . . .'" This is the appropriate response when someone tries to worship you. Paul and Barnabas immediately tear their garments (standard Jewish response to blasphemy) and denounce the claim that they are gods. Compare their reaction with that of Jesus, who, as we have seen, was worshiped as a child (Matthew 2:11), during His ministry (Matthew 14:33; John 9:38), and after His resurrection (Matthew 28:17; Luke 24:52). Neither Jesus nor anyone else ever commanded people not to worship Him.
(B) Acts 14:15--Paul says, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them." Paul refers to the religious rituals of the pagans as "vain things." He thus criticized their religious views while proclaiming the truth. This criticism no doubt made it easier for Paul's enemies to stir up the crowd and ultimately stone him. Strangely, there are many Christians today who don't believe in refuting false views.
(C) Acts 14:21-22--"When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul had been stoned in Lystra. Presumed dead, he was dragged outside of the city. To the shock of everyone, he returned to the city immediately after the stoning. Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe. From there, there was a quick route home to Antioch. However, instead of taking the easy route home, they took a longer route and returned to the cities that had just driven them out. But wouldn't this have led to further persecution? Of course. But for Paul, being persecuted was simply a part of being a Christian.
Acts Chapter Fourteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-7: Paul and Barnabas preach in Iconium.
Verses 8-18: Paul and Barnabas preach in Lystra.
Verses 19-23: Paul stoned for preaching in Lystra.
Verses 24-28: Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 14:14-15--"But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 'Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you . . .'" This is the appropriate response when someone tries to worship you. Paul and Barnabas immediately tear their garments (standard Jewish response to blasphemy) and denounce the claim that they are gods. Compare their reaction with that of Jesus, who, as we have seen, was worshiped as a child (Matthew 2:11), during His ministry (Matthew 14:33; John 9:38), and after His resurrection (Matthew 28:17; Luke 24:52). Neither Jesus nor anyone else ever commanded people not to worship Him.
(B) Acts 14:15--Paul says, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them." Paul refers to the religious rituals of the pagans as "vain things." He thus criticized their religious views while proclaiming the truth. This criticism no doubt made it easier for Paul's enemies to stir up the crowd and ultimately stone him. Strangely, there are many Christians today who don't believe in refuting false views.
(C) Acts 14:21-22--"When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." It's easy to miss the significance of this passage. Paul had been stoned in Lystra. Presumed dead, he was dragged outside of the city. To the shock of everyone, he returned to the city immediately after the stoning. Paul and Barnabas went on to Derbe. From there, there was a quick route home to Antioch. However, instead of taking the easy route home, they took a longer route and returned to the cities that had just driven them out. But wouldn't this have led to further persecution? Of course. But for Paul, being persecuted was simply a part of being a Christian.
Kort Gatterdam, Attorney for Rifqa Bary, Discusses Her Trial
Muslims around the world (including groups like CAIR) mercilessly attacked Rifqa Bary's reputation and her story. Throughout the ordeal, Rifqa's attorney Kort Gatterdam was under gag order not to discuss the case. Now that Rifqa is 18 years old, Gatterdam is free to speak.
PART ONE
PART TWO
PART ONE
PART TWO
Friday, August 13, 2010
Acts Chapter Thirteen
Acts Chapter Thirteen (NIV)
Acts Chapter Thirteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-3: Paul and Barnabas sent on their first missionary journey.
Verses 4-12: Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus.
Verses 13-43: Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch.
Verses 44-52: Paul turns to the Gentiles.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 13:9-10--"But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, 'You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?'" If a Christian were to utter these words today, he would immediately hear, "And you call yourself a Christian!" Biblically, people who attempt to keep others from hearing the Gospel receive the strongest rebuke.
(B) Acts 13:13--"Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem." Luke doesn't tell us why John (Mark) returned to Jerusalem. However, it's clear that Paul didn't want to take Mark on a future missionary journey because of this event (Acts 15:36-40). Mark would later regain Paul's trust (see Colossians 4:10).
(C) Acts 13:26-41--Like Peter, Paul consistently emphasizes Jesus' death (vv. 28-29), resurrection (vv. 30-31), and deity (v. 33), as well as Old Testament prophecies about Jesus (vv. 33-35).
Acts Chapter Thirteen (NASB)
I. SYNOPSIS
Verses 1-3: Paul and Barnabas sent on their first missionary journey.
Verses 4-12: Paul and Barnabas on the island of Cyprus.
Verses 13-43: Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch.
Verses 44-52: Paul turns to the Gentiles.
II. KEY PASSAGES
(A) Acts 13:9-10--"But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, 'You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?'" If a Christian were to utter these words today, he would immediately hear, "And you call yourself a Christian!" Biblically, people who attempt to keep others from hearing the Gospel receive the strongest rebuke.
(B) Acts 13:13--"Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem." Luke doesn't tell us why John (Mark) returned to Jerusalem. However, it's clear that Paul didn't want to take Mark on a future missionary journey because of this event (Acts 15:36-40). Mark would later regain Paul's trust (see Colossians 4:10).
(C) Acts 13:26-41--Like Peter, Paul consistently emphasizes Jesus' death (vv. 28-29), resurrection (vv. 30-31), and deity (v. 33), as well as Old Testament prophecies about Jesus (vv. 33-35).
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Axis of Deception at Arabfest: Roger Williams, Amal Alslami, and Dearborn Police
When Dearborn Police arrested us, they told us that we were being taken to jail for harassing a festival volunteer named Roger Williams. We told them that, with the push of a button, we could refute the accusations against us. Unfortunately, they were looking for an excuse to throw us in jail, so they refused to look at our footage.
Interestingly, by the time the Mayor’s letter, the police report, and the City of Dearborn’s article were released, the accusations against us had changed significantly. We were being accused of inciting a riot, refusing to leave when police ordered us to leave, deliberately blocking a tent entrance, screaming at Muslims, etc.
Why did the accusations change? It’s quite simple. Looking for an excuse to arrest us, police threw us in jail based on a shaky complaint by Roger (and false confirmation by a Muslim woman named Amal Alslami). After eventually examining our footage, police realized that Roger’s claims were completely false. But how then could they justify our arrests when we had informed them, at the festival, that we had exculpatory evidence and that we would only need a few moments of their time to prove our innocence? When all else fails in Dearborn, the solution is to lie. Hence the volley of false allegations.
Here’s what really happened at the festival.
Why would a volunteer like Roger go around harassing Christians and taking them to police? (Roger is the volunteer who took Luke to police for handing out a tract.) Why would he lie about us and get four innocent people thrown in jail? In Dearborn, that’s just how you win the favor of Muslims. This is why Roger lied; it’s why police lied (notice the cheers of Muslims as they falsely arrested us); it’s why the Mayor lied.
This is why we keep connecting everything with Sharia Law. Roger was harassing Christians at the festival because Muslims insist on limiting the rights of Christians, and Roger goes along with it to show them what a great guy he is. Police harass Christians who try to distribute materials, even if it’s outside the festival, because that's how you show the Muslim community that you're on their side. And anyone who dares defend the Constitutional rights of Christians suddenly becomes Dearborn’s Most Wanted.
In a discussion with Jason Smathers, Roger said that he’s currently attending college so that he can do missionary work in a Muslim country. I must say that Roger’s approach to evangelism is quite odd. He attacks Christians in order to build relationships with Muslims, in an effort to turn Muslims into Christians. He’s already had two former Muslims thrown in jail. While many Muslims will love him for punishing apostates, they will never respect him. They will always think of him as their dhimmi.
On a different note, here are the relevant portions of the police report. Please examine Roger’s claims in light of the above video footage. Also note Amal Alslami’s false statement to police. It seems that she initially claimed to be a witness in order to get us thrown in jail, but later realized that she wouldn’t appear in the video footage, and therefore would be exposed as a false witness. Thus, she changed her story.
The entire police report has been posted here by Jason Smathers. (Notice that he had to black out my home address, which the City of Dearborn has been distributing to the public.)
Since police (not to mention the rest of the world) now know that Roger and Amal lied, and that the reporting officers lied, why is the prosecuting attorney still coming after us? Why isn't he instead seeking charges against people who lie and falsify police reports?
Welcome to Dearborn, Friends—where lying is welcome, and truth is forbidden.
Interestingly, by the time the Mayor’s letter, the police report, and the City of Dearborn’s article were released, the accusations against us had changed significantly. We were being accused of inciting a riot, refusing to leave when police ordered us to leave, deliberately blocking a tent entrance, screaming at Muslims, etc.
Why did the accusations change? It’s quite simple. Looking for an excuse to arrest us, police threw us in jail based on a shaky complaint by Roger (and false confirmation by a Muslim woman named Amal Alslami). After eventually examining our footage, police realized that Roger’s claims were completely false. But how then could they justify our arrests when we had informed them, at the festival, that we had exculpatory evidence and that we would only need a few moments of their time to prove our innocence? When all else fails in Dearborn, the solution is to lie. Hence the volley of false allegations.
Here’s what really happened at the festival.
Why would a volunteer like Roger go around harassing Christians and taking them to police? (Roger is the volunteer who took Luke to police for handing out a tract.) Why would he lie about us and get four innocent people thrown in jail? In Dearborn, that’s just how you win the favor of Muslims. This is why Roger lied; it’s why police lied (notice the cheers of Muslims as they falsely arrested us); it’s why the Mayor lied.
This is why we keep connecting everything with Sharia Law. Roger was harassing Christians at the festival because Muslims insist on limiting the rights of Christians, and Roger goes along with it to show them what a great guy he is. Police harass Christians who try to distribute materials, even if it’s outside the festival, because that's how you show the Muslim community that you're on their side. And anyone who dares defend the Constitutional rights of Christians suddenly becomes Dearborn’s Most Wanted.
In a discussion with Jason Smathers, Roger said that he’s currently attending college so that he can do missionary work in a Muslim country. I must say that Roger’s approach to evangelism is quite odd. He attacks Christians in order to build relationships with Muslims, in an effort to turn Muslims into Christians. He’s already had two former Muslims thrown in jail. While many Muslims will love him for punishing apostates, they will never respect him. They will always think of him as their dhimmi.
On a different note, here are the relevant portions of the police report. Please examine Roger’s claims in light of the above video footage. Also note Amal Alslami’s false statement to police. It seems that she initially claimed to be a witness in order to get us thrown in jail, but later realized that she wouldn’t appear in the video footage, and therefore would be exposed as a false witness. Thus, she changed her story.
Corporal Brian Kapanowski Reports:
While inside the Command Trailer during ArabFest, Sgt Mrowka, Ofc Smith and I were notified by Roger Williams (Festival Volunteer) that he had just been harassed by a film crew and Amal Alslami had witnessed the incident. Williams stated a film crew began recording him doing his Festival duties. He advised the subjects (later identified as Negeen Mayel, Nabeel Qureshi, David Wood, and Paul Rezkalla) that he did not want to be filmed and told them to stop. Williams stated that they did not stop and instead, began to surround him. He added that he felt extremely uncomfortable and thought he could not leave although he attempted to several times. They continued to pester him and badger him with questions and continued filming. Williams again told them to stop filming. Qureshi and Wood, as well as Rezkalla, finally put down the microphone and camcorder to speak with him but he noticed Mayel still filming within hearing distance. He radioed to security for assistance and the parties soon left. He advised Alslami that he wished to make a formal complaint with police. Alslami stated she observed the above incident as Williams had recalled. She stated she took photographs of the subjects with her camera for identification purposes, although she did not have same in her possession at the time of report.
Sergeant Jeffrey Mrowka Reports:
While at the police command post trailer, Mr. Roger Williams (Festival Volunteer) responded and reported that a film crew had approached him in the main tent area and began to ask him questions while they video taped him. Williams said he told them he did not wish to participate and did not want to be on video. Williams stated that they continued to point their cameras at him and began to surround him. Williams said he felt extremely uncomfortable and he felt that he was not free to leave. Williams said the incident was witnessed by Amal Alslami (festival worker) and she took photographs. Williams said he would be able to identify the parties involved if he saw them again. I instructed Ptl. Smith and Cpl. Kapanowski to take Mr. Williams and Alslami back to the main tent area in an attempt to identify the parties involved. As the officers left with Mr. Williams and Alslami several radio reports came in over the security portable radio of a group causing a disturbance in the main tent area and to send the police.
Detective Michael Sabo Reports:
I talked to Amal Alslami who was one of the event volunteers who assisted Roger Williams on the night of the incident. I asked Amal to tell me what happened and she stated she was on her golf cart patrolling the grounds when Roger Williams came up to her and told her about the individuals who just harassed him. Amal stated she went with Williams to the police command trailer and assisted in identifying the people that Williams stated was involved. Amal stated she didn’t see any of the confrontation between Williams and the four subjects arrested.
The entire police report has been posted here by Jason Smathers. (Notice that he had to black out my home address, which the City of Dearborn has been distributing to the public.)
Since police (not to mention the rest of the world) now know that Roger and Amal lied, and that the reporting officers lied, why is the prosecuting attorney still coming after us? Why isn't he instead seeking charges against people who lie and falsify police reports?
Welcome to Dearborn, Friends—where lying is welcome, and truth is forbidden.
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