I am really disturbed about the case of Abdul Rahman, who is facing torture and execution in Afghanistan because he decided to follow Jesus. You can read the story here. We should never forget that many pay a steep price around the globe for being a Christian, and we should pray for the persecuted church.
Democracy alone will not be enough to make Islamic nations peaceful. They need to submit to the 'Prince of Peace'. Until then, let's not allow the lie that 'Islam is Peace' to go unchecked. Any thoughts?
3 comments:
I'm glad for people like Abdul Rahman...Not his situation but his determination to serve God with his life. I think God has chosen a perfect man to bring a spot light onto the terror of Islam and the determined followers of Christ. If you notice in the book of Acts it wasn't until the church was persecuted that the gospel started reaching outside of Jerusalem, because those that were scattered in the persecutions proclaimed the gospel where they went. I know that God will recieve glory through this. I believe that you are right...We should pray, but as Jesus did, "If it is possible to take this cup from me, nevertheless your will be done."
I find it interesting that we are talking about the spread of democracy and the spread of the Prince of Peace in the same paragraph. Not to say that Jon said anything out of line but just simply that it raises interesting questions. Though I totally support democracy and wish it was the cornerstone of every government in the world, as well as support our President, I am often troubled by the question of where my allegiance should lie.
By invading muslim countries for the sake of democracy, in most Muslims eyes we are also invading under the banner of Christianity since Bush is a Christian and most who support him are as well. It doesn't mean that presumption is right, but that is how most muslims see it. And if these people who so desperately need to submit to Christ and who we are responsible for reaching see it that way, then where should our position be?
The Gospel is obviously our first priority. If, as a nation, by invading muslim countries we are actually putting a poor image of Christians and Christ in Muslims eyes and causing muslims to unite and cling to islam, are we hurting or hindering the Gospel?
And furthermore, if by invading these countries we are actually making it worse for those who pay a steep price for being a Christian is it worth it?
I totally agree with the last post. It's too bad it was anonymous, cuz I'd like to know who I agree with.
Anyway, I think it's not just about "where our allegiance lies" because I believe my allegiance can still lie with my country, and yet I can disagree with the forced-democracy policy. I may be proven wrong someday, because I obviously am unable to see the world in 25 years.
But where I stand now, looking back at the last 2,500 years, I see that nations that forced their culture on other nations had brief periods (200-300 years) of great prosperity, followed by an internal dissolution and ultimate defeat or simple insignificance.
I support our nation and our mission, now that we're there. But I part with many of my friends by believing that our agressive democracy is only going to develop a future generation of haters. Our nation, once respected and loved has become a joke around the world and the picture of arrogance around the world. The fact that we sit over on our side and call the rest of the world naive is proof.
I believe democracy is so powerful that it will spread on its own merits, and not by force. If it is so great, then others will see and know that it is truth. All we need to do is spread it through our talk and our walk and our interaction with the world. Sounds a bit like the gospel, doesn't it? :) The Crusades didn't work for a reason. Even if Iraq does, we now have N. Korea, Iran, Syria, Venezuela and even Russia (still) to worry about.
Sorry this is becoming a foreign policy discussion here, but I feel that this issue is wrapped up in our nation's foreign policy.
I am glad that this man's trial has been dismissed, but many more like it will persist. And unfortunately as the last poster brought up, the muslim world will only be driven further from the Gospel by our guns, than they would from our example of prosperity.
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