I am now officially "Satan"

[Bold Believer]

Indeed that's interesting Islam2Christ. Isa is always the way I've understood Muslims say Jesus, whom they regard as a prophet. (Of course, they then turn around and tell lies about him: He never died. He's not God in human form. God can't have a son.) Given that Mohammed was illiterate, and dictated the Qu'ran, is it possible that one of the people to whom he dictated his information did what you're saying. Let's face it. The deeper one digs into Islam, the more Satanic things seem to pop up.

Islam, from all outward indications, is a caricature of Judaism and Christianity. They claim some of the same prophets (Abraham, for example.) and they have a book which has some OT/NT concepts, yet some of the imagery is downright creepy. The Qaaba is cube-shaped like the Holy of Holies, but it's all black? There's a stone inside which some sources say is venerated. The image my mind gets is that of a Satanic caricature of what God has deemed holy. Not only that, if some sources are to be believed, pre-Islamic Meccans had their gods inside the Qaaba.

As for telling the truth rather than using 'kissy-kissy' love, what good is placating a false religion? Did the Early Christians placate Rome? No. When Caesar said "I, Caesar, am Lord," the Church said, Jesus Christ is Lord. So then, why should I tell anything BUT the truth. I can feel for people who've been deceived into nearly worshiping Mohammed, a man who claims that he could only get inspiration when with his favorite wife.

Even the whole story of Mohammed ascended into Paradise on a white horse makes him out to be a Christ-type figure. No Muslim will openly worship Mohammed as we Christians do Jesus, but do they worship Mohammed in secret? Is the truth about Mohammed ever told to the followers by the teachers of the religion? Come on, if you knew your prophet had a nine year old wife, would you continue to follow him? How is it that people can do this? What are they really told about Aisha?

And let's face it, to go against the teachings of Mohammed is to die in most Islamic cultures. I'm willing to bet that even questioning the teachings' validity will land you in a prison. Unquestioning devotion or death is no way to convince people. They may do all the outward devotions, but in their hearts, they'll be looking for the chance to get away.

Hey Bro,

The further one digs into any false religion they will begin to find satanic influences anathema to God's word. This is not exclusive to the Quran or the teachings of Mohammed. I am not for placating a false religion...but I am not above placating people. Especially people who are deceived. I also don't think that speaking the truth is a bad thing. However, how you speak the truth is a big deal. You can speak the truth with "both barrels" blasting, or you can speak the truth in love.

For example, you said you just recently found out about Mohammed's marriage to Aisha and it sickened you. I think you could have approached the topic in numerous ways...without both barrels blasting. Why not ask them about it? How come they are okay with it? How do they reconcile that knowledge with what they know about Allah? Start a dialogue. Two things happen then...A) you learn about them and how they think, and B) you open them up to dialogue in a non-threatening way that may actually spark productive thought.

There are a ton of angles to open dialogue with Muslims. The fact is that missionaries all over the world are finding great success in Muslim communities because they are drawn to our openness, they are drawn to our freedom in Christ, and they are drawn by the love they are shown. Christianity is a faith that the vast majority of Muslims have no concept of and they are drawn to it. They are more than used to religions that seek to impose themselves or force their ideological standards.

Sorry for being so defensive, and harsh, earlier in the thread.

Axx, no biggy bud. If you were perfect, we'd worship YOU on Sundays.

Islam tends to respect strength and boldness, so that's where I come from. If I dance around the issue, they slough it off. And yes, false religions have an element of satanic influence, but Islam is a caricature of Christianity and Judaism. LIke I said, the black Qaaba compared to the Holy of Holies in its splendor is just one. The prophets and apostles received from the Holy Spirit, Mohammed received his revelations from what was supposedly the angel Gabriel, and he claims that unless he was with Aisha, he could not get inspiration. Is there not something about that situation that just says: DEMONIC!

One other thing: I was dealing with radicals who refuse to listen, not the average Yusef. Another reason for my harder approach.

Since Mohammed was from all accounts, illiterate, it's possible that other men with sinister motives affected his choices as well of what to say and have written.

To their credit, at least the Muslims don't deny Mohammed had sex with a child, unlike a certain "Christian" denomination I can think of: Are you listening Pope Benedict?

[artsylady]

If you guys are right and someday I find myself with a knife to my throat...it won't be because I insulted them, or their beliefs. It will be because I tried to show the love of Christ, because I preached the Word of God.

I think too many don't realize what kind of a weapon love really is. I do believe love is what will win over Muslims. I think there's good reason why the first 2 commandments have to do with love. Do we think about love as a commandment? A requirement? Or do we somehow believe Muslims excempt from this? It's almost as if the Bible reads "Love your neighbor as yourself, unless he's Muslim"

Imagine living your life from childhood without any resemblence of unconditional love? Imagine being brainwashed into believing that real love doesn't exist, and that if you second guess what you're told, you will be outcasted and hated and possibly killed? We can't fathom this, but this is part of their philosophy. It's no wonder many can't question their beliefs. There must be so much to fear in doing so. We should feel compassion for these people who have never experienced unconditional love, even from their own parents.

When we simply attack their religious beliefs without love we stoop to their level - a level they are all too familiar with. However, they really are very unfamiliar with unconditional love. Heck, they'll kill their own daughters if they leave the faith. Love is something they can't handle.

I also think it's okay to lovingly ask questions or make comments. Like "I'm sorry but I have a difficult time understanding why a prophet of god had such a huge sexual appetite and his attraction to a 9 year old? This seems to fly in the face of a serious spiritual connection with God" And if they insult you, then apologize and move on to the next point.

[artsylady]

If you guys are right and someday I find myself with a knife to my throat...it won't be because I insulted them, or their beliefs. It will be because I tried to show the love of Christ, because I preached the Word of God.

I think too many don't realize what kind of a weapon love really is. I do believe love is what will win over Muslims. I think there's good reason why the first 2 commandments have to do with love. Do we think about love as a commandment? A requirement? Or do we somehow believe Muslims excempt from this? It's almost as if the Bible reads "Love your neighbor as yourself, unless he's Muslim"

Imagine living your life from childhood without any resemblence of unconditional love? Imagine being brainwashed into believing that real love doesn't exist, and that if you second guess what you're told, you will be outcasted and hated and possibly killed? We can't fathom this, but this is part of their philosophy. It's no wonder many can't question their beliefs. There must be so much to fear in doing so. We should feel compassion for these people w

[artsylady]

1 Peter 3:15 (New International Version)

15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

I don't know that I have been the direct result of any Muslim's conversion, but I know that I have spoken to Muslims with respect and they in turn listened to me and what I had to say and I might say with interest and even start asking me questions. One thing I hope I said to one particular guy was "Does your religion allow you to ask God questions or to question what you believe? I ask that because I know the God I serve allows for this, knowing that I'm human and born with questions, and as He is a BIG God, he understands that faith can be trying at times". His answer was yes, although I do believe it was a lie to which I responded with "Oh, that's great then. I had previously thought that Islam didn't allow thoughts or questions but it's good that you can reasonably think, search and make comparisons. AFter all, why would God fear this".

Hopefully, he DID start asking the tough questions to God on his own time. We had a business relationship that ended but hopefully I was used there to plant a seed. Sometimes I wonder if we need to see the fruits of our witnessing right away, but we are just there to plant seeds. Hopefully this Muslim guy did not come across a Christian later who unlovingly insulted his beliefs. Or that seed may have rotted quickly.

I don't mean to be too hard to the OP here because I have been guilty myself of using the 'safety' of the Internet to be more 'bold', really meaning obnoxious than I would be in person.

Think about it. If we were standing around in a park with a bunch of Muslims would we agreessively approach them about Mohammed's pedophelia or would be hope for an opportunity to talk with one privately and gently?

[artsylady]

If you want to talk about the most hard hearted Muslims, I heard the testimony of an actual ex Muslim terrorist. He was in a car accident in another country and two Christian men practically fought over who would pay his hospital bill and take him home to recover. I don't recall him saying a single thing about what they actually said to him or arguments they used to win him over. He mentioned nothing of the sort. In fact, he clearly made it know that it was the love these men demonstrated, unconditionally to him, knowing he was a Muslim. He got angry at Mohammed at one point yelling "Allah! Why did you let them show me love!!!" Something completely foreign to him.

So, what are the missionary Christians doing differently when in Muslim countries? I think the answer is clear. I doubt they go out and try to start debating them. My guess is that they start forming friendships and relationships with them.

[Guest]

If you want to talk about the most hard hearted Muslims, I heard the testimony of an actual ex Muslim terrorist. He was in a car accident in another country and two Christian men practically fought over who would pay his hospital bill and take him home to recover. I don't recall him saying a single thing about what they actually said to him or arguments they used to win him over. He mentioned nothing of the sort. In fact, he clearly made it know that it was the love these men demonstrated, unconditionally to him, knowing he was a Muslim. He got angry at Mohammed at one point yelling "Allah! Why did you let them show me love!!!" Something completely foreign to him.

So, what are the missionary Christians doing differently when in Muslim countries? I think the answer is clear. I doubt they go out and try to start debating them. My guess is that they start forming friendships and relationships with them.

Blood Relationships

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.

And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Acts 7:55-60