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
-- 