I get the point, we all get the point. Criticism of Islam
in America = increased
persecution of Christians in Muslim countries. But do
people who urge caution
get the point ? What they are saying is that we should, as
a "virtue," stop
being critical so that unjust persecutions perpetrated
by Muslims, should
be minimized.
Such counsel is appeasement, nothing less. Islam, American
Muslims claim,
is peaceful and tolerant. Sure it is, when Muslims are a
tiny minority and
must keep a low profile for reasons of safety. But we see
what happens
when Muslim numbers increase, "natural" arrogance bubbles
to the surface.
Hence one so-far overlooked dimension of the mosque issue,
a reassertion
of Muslim arrogance, which people simply don't like.
I have no answers to the question of persecution of
Christians overseas,
but I can tell you that the responsibility we have before
all else is to
speak truthfully about teachings that are intrinsic to
Islam, enshrined
in the Qur'an, which are completely un-American, even
anti-American.
If Muslims in Egypt or Pakistan don't like it, their tough
luck.
If those Muslims attack local Christians the US gvt has the
responsibility
to demand that Muslim nations observe the provisions of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Will the current
administration
do so ? Actually, at least to limited extent, the answer
is "yes." It has
already done so in a number of significant cases. Too
tepidly, we may say,
with no teeth, we may add. But we can demand serious
efforts for UDHR
compliance --and make a stink about it until there are
solid results
and overseas Christians are not persecuted for criticisms
of Islam
in the United States.
My humble opinion
Billy
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NYC Mosque Rhetoric May Harm Persecuted Christians
Thu, Sep. 02, 2010 Posted: 09:07 AM EDT
The sometimes hateful rhetoric being used by opponents of
the proposed mosque near ground zero can result in
violence against Christians living in Muslim-dominated
countries, warned a ministry leader who works with
persecuted Christians.
“I think it’s important to remember, as Americans are
often unable to do, that there are millions of Christians
in the Middle East,” said Dr. Carl Moeller, president/CEO
of Open Doors USA, on Wednesday.
Moeller, who noted that there are some 10 million
Christians in Egypt and six million in Pakistan, said the
“more vile and hateful” protests against the proposed
project can inflame Muslim extremists. Since extremists in
the Middle East cannot take their anger out on Americans,
they take revenge on local Christians, which they
associate with America, he said.
Several years ago, the Danish cartoons that poked fun at
the Muslim prophet Mohammed caused massive rioting in the
Middle East, Moeller recalled. During the uproar, angry
Muslims beat up local Christians and torched churches.
“We talk often about our rights as Americans to protest.
It is true,” Moeller said. “But we also have
responsibilities, not only to our societies but to those
vulnerable communities that are at risk because of our
actions.”
For months, average Americans, politicians and recently
even President Obama have been drawn into an
emotionally-charged debate about whether a $100 million
Muslim community center and mosque should be built two
blocks from ground zero.
Proponents of the project, called Park51, maintain it
would be a symbol of America’s religious tolerance and
strengthen interfaith relations. Meanwhile, opponents say
the center would be an offense to the nearly 3,000 people
who died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Recently, New York Gov. David Paterson waded into the
controversy by offering to discuss with the developers of
Park51 about moving the center elsewhere.
SoHo Properties, the developer of Park51, expressed
interest in the discussion with Paterson.
In the mean time, Moeller has called on Americans to try
to remain civil in the debate.
“When we let our emotions get out of hand and we let our
disagreement spill over into hatred and vilification, then
that is being echoed and amplified in the Muslim world,”
warned Moeller. “The ultimate result is innocent people
being killed, pastors being killed, and churches being
burned throughout the Muslim world.”
Open Doors works to strengthen believers suffering from
interrogation, arrest and other forms of oppression
because of their faith in over 45 of the most persecuted
countries worldwide.
Michelle A. Vu
Christian Post Reporter
-- 