Why do you think many people in the world are more threatened by Christianity than Islam?

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Question:

Radical Islam has declared Jihad on the West, Israel and Europe, has enslaved women, beheaded the innocent or infidel, and has declared Honor Killings and Sharia Law as the law of Islam.  Now, many Muslims are wonderful people, yet most of the terrorism in the world we see is a Radical form of the Islamic Faith....YET....the world is more concerned about ridding the Christian faith and the teachings of Jesus Christ (GOD), who came to earth in the flesh of MAN, the SON of GOD to bring Peace, Redemption and Salvation to the world.

The HOLY BIBLE even speaks of Demons on the Earth in the LAST DAYS before Jesus returns, running the world into the Ground of evil and dis-obedience of the one true living GOD, and the only thing that makes them *TREMBLE* is the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST....JAMES 2:19-You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

My Reply:

I think the term you used, "Radical" Islamics, could be a part of it, since then the finger can be pointed to a small group and say, "it's just them, not us." I also think more people are familiar with Christianity than they are with Islam, so being a mystery religion, it's easier for Muslims and others to make Islam look like the victim, or to mislead people into believing it's a pure religion that only focus' on peace and submission to God (even though it's not).

The Bible tells us that false prophets and teachers will come from all around, and their messages will be sweet to the taste, even turning strong Christian believers away from the Lord. And since the flesh is at war with the Spirit, and the Spirit is connected with Christ, it's only natural that anything of the flesh should see anything of the Spirit as a threat.
If you'd like some more resources on Islam, Christianity, and witnessing to Muslims, then I'd suggest "Persecution.com, also known as "Voices of the Martyrs".  Otherwise, please feel free to check out some of the links below.

---Pastor Andy

Some of these resources may be helpful for further study on this topic:

  

Iran: Desperate for God  
("Iran: Desperate for God" is also available through Persecution.com. I read a pre-released portion of the book and loved it...very explanatory, backed up by real events and experiences.)

This Resource May Be Helpful In Witnessing To Muslims About Jesus Christ:   

Jesus in the Koran

Question:

Why does the Koran state that Jesus wasn't really crucified?  I'm Christian and I also respect the Muslim following...I've been developing large respect for the Koran since I've been studying it...my mind is baffled by this disparity though...If Jesus wasn't really crucified, as the Koran states, then that pretty much makes Christianity null and void. But I've had such powerfully undeniable experiences as a Christian, so I'm not about to turn away from that belief system. Sometimes I want to throw religion out the window because there are so many contradictions, but I really do value the depth and intellectual value of it all. Care to contribute some (peaceful, non-inflammatory) insights?

My Reply:You're absolutely correct in saying that if Jesus hadn't died on the cross, then Christianity would be void. I too have done some studies on Islam, and I have also had many discussions with both Sunni and Shiite Muslims on this topic, and I have found that Islam's take on the crucifixion is contradicts itself with their beliefs about who Jesus was/is.

For instance, Muslims say Jesus didn't die on the cross, but instead set up a buddy to take the fall for him. The Muslims even have a name made up for the supposed guy. But there are several problems with saying this:

1) In order to be a "prophet" in the eyes of Muslims, one must be blameless, sinless, and worthy of being in the direct presence of God. Now, though they deny Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, they do acknowledge that Jesus returned later, that Jesus claimed He'd died and was resurrected, and that Jesus later ascended into the clouds, promising to one day return to judge the world. But you see, the problem with this belief is that if Jesus claimed to have died on the cross, but really didn't, then Jesus would be a liar, and thus would disqualify Himself as being a prophet of God. And if Jesus is not a prophet of God, then Islam would also be void, because Muhammad claimed Jesus to be a prophet.

2) If Muhammad claimed Jesus to be a prophet, but it turned out that Jesus wasn't, then that would also void Muhammad's credibility as a prophet of God.

Their point of explaining away Jesus as being the Messiah, and claim Him as being only a prophet, allows Muhammad to claim to be the final prophet, even giving him permission to correct (or change) Jesus' teachings.

In your studies of Islam, you may find it interesting that there are actually a lot of similarities in the practices of Islam when compared with Catholicism. For instance, the prayer beads (or the Catholic Rosary). They also have saints, prominent people in the faith, who they are told to pin to their walls and pray to. And if you go to Mecca during their pilgrimage, I understand there's some holy rock they're told to bow to (as Catholics do to statues).

Notice, most religious cults build off of Christianity in one form or another. They change the faith, alter God and His character (ultimately making their god different from the God of Israel), take away the relationship part of Christianity and make it all about good works and deeds (like taking Jesus out of the equation and turning it back to a law-based religion), is led by somebody who claims the authority to do so, and promotes that their way is the only and/or correct way. Islam is no different in this respect.

---Pastor Andy