tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91214271321341128972024-03-13T05:09:40.933-07:00Daniel Shayesteh on Islam and FreedomDaniel Shayestehhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07438343296752599990noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-86643295709742649562017-12-11T00:23:00.000-08:002017-12-11T00:23:33.874-08:00The Position of the Bible on Freedom<div style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
Using freedom of choice in the Bible for selfish motives ends up in spiritual death (Genesis 2:17 and 3:3) and the loss of unity and peace. God showed Adam, the first man on the earth, what was good and what was evil. He pleaded with Adam to take His advice and use his freedom of choice in a way so as to not fall into evil temptation and lose his freedom as a result. Adam ignored God’s advice and was deceived by an alternative thought. We know the rest of the story of how Adam and his wife Eve were tempted by a new idea without evaluating its consequences and subsequently they lost their intimate fellowship with God and with one another. The new idea should have helped them to enjoy a continuing healthy unity if it was right, but it wasn’t. </div>
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The new idea came from Satan, anti-God or anti-Christ, according to the Christian doctrine. This anti-God is the god of disunity who injects lies into the human mind by tempting people to think that they are each eligible to do everything they desire without thinking about the rights of others. He twists the doctrine of pure freedom by adding to it some selfish or unknown things in order to make people self-centered and to create disunity among them all for his domination. The central mission of God is also to wake people up to the schemes of Satan and provide the way of salvation for them. Since God Himself is free by nature and respects freedom of choice, He therefore has no other way than to plead with people to enter a dialogue with Him, allow Him to reveal the truth to them and free them from the atrocities of self-centeredness.</div>
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We see that both God and anti-God speak about freedom. But their definitions of and approaches to freedom are different. It takes an heroic effort to distinguish the difference between these two tactics. Let me give you a few contemporary examples to see where God and Satan have been trying to take us.</div>
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The establishment of political atheism in the 20<sup>th</sup> century shifted many people’s attention from Christianity to the formation of Communism, the arrangement of a social organization which was supposed to free people, mainly the working class, from any discrimination or exploitation so that they could have access to all things equally. Theoretically this looked convincing and attractive since it aimed to free people from bias and the misuse of power and to provide everything for everyone. However, soon after the institutionalization of Communism in some countries, everything, including freedom, took on a new definition and became subject to the power of the central government. As a result, people were only allowed to speak or act in accordance with whatever the dominant Communist government espoused. Therefore, the desire for equal social, political and economic justice ended up in another version of dictatorship which restricted freedom in numerous ways to house favoritism, mistreatment and misuse of power. Later on, millions of people were killed by Communist governments simply because they questioned the authenticity of Communism. </div>
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Likewise, in the West, because of the influence of Post Modernism, many Western politicians have adopted a different kind of social construct which has fueled the growth of relativism and skepticism, especially towards Judeo-Christian beliefs and, in particular, the freedom that is central to the Gospel and the purpose of Jesus coming to earth. This trend has led Western societies to a place where they now put their hope in unsustainable notions like multiculturalism and/or pluralism. These ideas are full of fantasy. They are, in fact, an enemy to true unity that can only be found in the transformed life that Jesus opens up for us.</div>
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A third reason for the limitation on freedom is that the church in the West has not been discerning enough or courageously vocal enough in evaluating secular ideas about freedom and defending authentic, Biblical freedom. Negative views broadcast about Christianity have led many to reject the Bible without any personal knowledge about its true position of freedom. Now, there are many prominent leftist elites whose criticism about the Bible via YouTube are sadly indications of their illiteracy about the teachings of the Bible. Imagine the enormity of these scholars’ negative impact on people, especially on the young generation of our time who are not interested in personal investigation. The church is called to teach the manifold wisdom of God to the world (Ephesians 3:10), but most evangelical churches have fallen short in revealing the manifold wisdom of God to their own congregations. Churches mainly speak about a few parts of God’s wisdom such as prayer, unconditional love and salvation or spiritual freedom. Other significant parts of God’s wisdom are not taught so that people can learn to defend their true freedom in God with convincing reasons against the bogus freedom that has confused many in every way and created enemies of the church.</div>
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Biblical freedom does not only include the spiritual realm, but <i>every</i> aspect of life on earth. In its first pages, the Bible teaches us the significance of using our freedom of choice in a way to establish a unified society (the first family on earth). Adam used his discerning power, named animals each according to their instinct and evaluated whether he would be able to establish a unified and free society with animals. He discovered that he wouldn’t be able to do so. Adam was convinced that none of the animals he named would become a suitable companion for him or have an intimate fellowship with him for a long-lasting unity. Animals have no creativity or organizational purpose. We can teach the cleverest among them to do only primitive things for entertainment, but they are unable to understand a plan, the ways for achieving it or the purposes behind it. They are therefore unable to enter a planned partnership with us. They are by nature subject to the law of wildlife and that law can in any moment escalate even among the most teachable of them to attack people. It is because that law of wildlife does not recognize any difference between good and bad. </div>
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Isn’t it strange that we are asked by many of our contemporary, so-called intellectuals to pursue a kind of freedom or live a life that does not recognize any difference between good and evil and has no ethics? It is shocking that such irresponsible ideas stem from the minds of intellectuals who are employed using our tax-monies to teach discernment to our children. Instead they put pressure on students to leave their God-given freedom behind and follow this mindless alternative. Until our young are taught to correctly understand the teaching of the Bible on the issue of freedom, they will not be able to resist these silly ideas that aim to chain them with confusion. We are face-to-face with many silly ideas daily and we need to make our Biblical stand in God clearer and free people from misperception. </div>
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The freedom in the Bible is a creative freedom which encourages people to use their minds, hearts and consciences to compare ideas and choose the one that establishes life with productivity, long-lasting unity and peace. The God of the Bible respects this creative freedom and calls upon people for reasoning and conscious decision making:</div>
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<i>Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah; though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool.</i> (Isaiah 1:18, MKJV)</div>
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<i>I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live.</i> (Deuteronomy 30:19, MKJV)</div>
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<i>You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.</i> (John 8:32, MKJV)</div>
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Because of our freedom of choice, everything is within our reach for a reason. We are capable of basing our lives on reason or rejecting reason. We have autonomy to evaluate and reject a false idea or blindly bow down to it. In a comparable way, we are also free to respect the rights of others and avoid ending up in jail or breach others’ rights and go to jail. We are free to accept life and live eternally or follow the path of death and end up in hell. It is all based on our own conscious decision-making. We are free to use our brains, become creative and be a blessing to many or to remain indifferent and fall into the miseries of a random life. The path that lacks a consistent position on freedom will lead progressively downwards to a place where people will be hurt immeasurably.</div>
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Not many people in the world are able to grasp that an unstable and man-made freedom is the gateway to a progressive failure. It is for this reason that the freedom of the Bible supersedes the unstable man-made freedom which is 1. not reciprocal, 2. limits people’s ability to speak their minds and hearts and 3. lacks sound principles. No one with such limitations or ambiguities will be able to face the reality of life, hear the truth and thereby act freely. We have every solid reason to stand for Biblical freedom.</div>
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<i>Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.</i> (Galatians 5:1, MKJV)</div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-49040027635565434402017-09-02T01:56:00.000-07:002017-09-03T01:28:58.706-07:00'Reasoning through Dialogue' may Help our Generation<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14.7px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 13.3px;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">What is the best way to respond if someone or a community deceives, betrays, belittles </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">you, or lies about you, or aims to destroy you and your interests? Would you want to </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">search for any possible way to dialogue with them?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.7px;">"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 1:18, KJV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-size: 14.7px;">It is amazing that the most powerful God who is superior in justice and everything else </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">sees the solution in dialogue. This sentence from the Almighty God is full of grace,</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">mercy and love. Otherwise, who will be able to reason with the holy and spotless God if </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">God chooses to assess short-fallings with His absolute justice? This is because God’s </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">judgement is His last option in His approach to those who betray Him or lie about Him. </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14.7px;">God puts His justice into practice only when people shut the door forever to their ability to reason</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">. </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">For this reason, He is commending and surrendering His whole being </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">and the entirety of His </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">Kingdom to dialogue before the Judgement Day arrives, so that </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">people may be able to see that He is interested in reconciliation not condemnation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">This bilateral culture of reasoning from God started to manifest itself in remarkable ways</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">since the Protestant Movement in the West. It progressively flourished into every part of </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">life and brought about astounding changes for good among western nations. This was the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">first broad welcome to God’s culture by many nations after over two thousand years from </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">the time of the prophet Isaiah to the Protestant Reformation. Westerners started to </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">discover that it would be their fundamental responsibility to give reason for what they </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">had and also sought reason even from their top leaders since they were divinely ordained </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">for two-sided reason. By pursuing this Judeo-Christian culture, western nations grew </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">rapidly, qualified their family, community and organizational cultures and thereby </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">became the most creative nations in the world. For this reason, the West became the most </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">favorite place for many people to migrate to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Now, there is little interest in Judeo-Christian culture in the West since </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">authoritarian socialism started to make its roots stronger under the freedoms ushered in by postmodernism. Because of </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">its centralized, evolutionary leadership, socialism intentionally targeted the hearts and </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">minds of western politicians and academics with the intention of aligning their policies with the unfriendly </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">approach to reasoning and freedom that is the true face of socialism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In socialism only one group, the working class, is entitled to have a voice - not the business </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">owners or the wardens of the free market economy. This is because socialism’s conviction is </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">that a business owner shouldn’t be able to make more money than the salaries of his workers. To do so would be evidence that </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">he had abused the workesr. A worker in a free market economy is therefore seen as a victim and his voice must be assisted so that he may </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">dominate the owners of business. But business owners on the other hand must be made voiceless until their wealth disappears and society has become totally egalitarian. </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">This is the definition of freedom in socialism; it is a one-way freedom – the freedom of the ‘victims’. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.7px;">It is funny that the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">first socialists rose to find a better solution against the money cartel’s one-way freedom </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14.7px;">and exploitation in 19th and early 20th Century. But it is interesting to note that, by the late 20</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12.2px; line-height: normal;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14.7px;"> century, they themselves had fallen into the same </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">trap and ended up embracing the principles they once disliked. Interestingly though, Socialists of the 21st Century </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">are still living with the 19th Century mindset (even though it is out-of-date </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">according to their own evolutionary philosophy). Ideologically speaking, they are </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">immeasurably confused, perverted and thereby unable to think deeply. They see that the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">conditions of workers in 20th and 21st Centuries changed for good. Western business </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">owners solved </span><i style="font-size: 14.7px;">their</i><span style="font-size: 14.7px;"> problems with workers by listening to their reasoning and ideas through Bench-</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">Marking and Enterprise Agreements and other innovative initiatives. Workplaces became characterised by financial incentives for increased productivity. In many businesses workers were given representation on Boards and in management. To this day, </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">the conditions of workers in western countries are way better than the conditions of </span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14.7px;">workers in socialist countries. The old unjust ethics that had been evident in many organizations of the 19</span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 12.2px; line-height: normal;"><sup>th</sup></span><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-size: 14.7px;"> century have given </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">way to the work ethics that flow out of the the teachings of Jesus Christ. Industrial laws were no longer shaped by the principles of the bad old </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">days of exploitation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Sadly, it is now the socialists who aim to erase good functional western laws by spreading their </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">socialist ideology and ethics. One is their primary tactics is the use of the “victimhood” ethos in order to claim for themselves the higher moral ground of being the superior </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">thinkers. Socialists leaders like Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Fidel Castro and many others </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">slaughtered millions of their fellow citizens (many of them downtrodden workers) under a justification of socialist ideology. Yet they still claimed that the workers were ‘victims’ in order to </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">emotionally justify their violence and secure their political dominance. They were always afraid to lose </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">their moral high ground and therefore had no choice but to play the self-righteousness </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">game using the ruse of victimhood. The truth is that this victimhood has always been accompanied by </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">bluff and deceit. For both followers and defenders of socialism, the goal and effect of this strategy is the accumulation of more </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">power and control.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">So, the second powerful ethos in socialism is bluffing or lying. Almost a century </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">of practice has made socialists expert in lying about their critics while </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">cleverly attributing their own flaws and failures to others.</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">A third deceptive ethic of socialism is its </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">overt support for any group that has the potential to claim victimhood - even if they have little knowledge of or sympathy for socialism. According to socialism, victims should have more rights than </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">others in everything, even to the point of destroying the rights and freedoms of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">For this reason, socialists, and all their allied leftists love to create or champion </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">victims in any way they can since ‘the End Justifies Means’. Victims must <b>always</b> remain victims so that socialism is able to survive in western democratic societies characterised by Judeo-Christian principles and values which have nurtured a culture where there is reasoning between both sides. </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">Socialists know that, if they lose the leverage of ‘the victim mindset’, it will be the end of their ideology. Even if </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">they avail themselves of the countless opportunities for bilateral reasoning in conversation with non-socialists, they will lose their ascendency. This was what happened between Regan, </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">a defender of the free market economy, and the socialist Gorbachev. Gorbachev’s </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">openness to dialogue and reasoning brought socialism to an end in Russia. Genuine dialogue </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">changes the landscape for socialists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Most socialists of our time are slaves to their old ideological principles. They therefore </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">have zero tolerance for creative mutual conversation. By drawing the media into </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">their service, they have had remarkable success in reshaping the minds of many </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">westerners. They have skilfully used journalists to spread the victim mindset and, in so doing, have largely silenced the Christian voice in community dialogue.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Socialists and all their quasi-socialist sympathizers know that ‘victim’ propaganda is a </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">most effective tool in winning people’s minds and enlisting their advocacy for socialist causes. Socialist leaders rejoice in being ‘stage-managers’ rather than ‘lead players’ in the socialist march that is sweeping through western nations. Interestingly, one of the victim groups that they champion is fundamentalist Islamic activists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Actually, the union between the socialists and Islamists in the West is largely because of Islam’s </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">identification with a victim mindset. Muslim communities all over the world have taken up the persona of being</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">victims at the hands of non-Muslims. Their thinking is that this victimhood will not end until Muslims </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">occupy the entire world and release the world from non-Islamic values. Victimhood is the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">life-long destiny of each Muslim shaped by Muhammad and it will never come to an end </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">unless all other beliefs disappear. That’s why ISIS has risen. This victim mindset </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">has always been there throughout the history of Islam. Muhammad </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">rose because an angel forced him to follow Allah against other religions that were opposed to him (Ibn Hisham, </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">Sirat Rasul Allah, P.106-107); Sunnis rose because Shiites were at odds with them over the right to the caliphate; Shiites rose because of Sunni oppression; The Sunni Muslim Brotherhood rose </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">because of colonialist oppression: Shiite, Ayatollah Khomeini rose because of Israel’s </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">and America’s oppression; Palestinian fundamentalism - Hezbollah, Hamas - rose because of the creation of Israel </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">which is an offense to Islam; and our contemporary terrorists have risen </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">because of Islam’s core excuse - they see themselves as victims.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We can see how the tyrannical gamesmanship of ‘victimhood’ dominated thinking in the West. </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">It produces pressure to repeal existing legislation. It is used to shame and humiliate anyone who dares to disagree with it. Socialists use the gamemanship of 'victimhood' as a principle to belittle their oppositions, discriminate against them, call them haters or cause them to lose their jobs once their opposition has crossed the line and revealed the evil plans of socialists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Christians are now forced </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">to leave their Christian beliefs in their homes or their churches and bow down to the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">leftist credo almost everywhere you go. Wherever they go, they will find themselves face to face with a legion </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">of victims who will target them with accusations of bullying, insult, victimization, humiliation or racism.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Isn’t it shocking and heart-breaking that leftists have become the dire enemies of </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">Christianity which originally gave them space and respected their rights to express themselves freely!? Such a wicked pay back </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">to our beautiful Christian values.</span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">How should we respond to </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">such wickedness? How about the response of Jesus Christ: </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.7px;">"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:24, MKJV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We forgive them because they do not know. However, this appeal put forward by Christ for </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">forgiveness does not mean we should ignore those who seek to manipulate our society in this way. Indeed, if this were to be the outcome, His church wouldn’t be established </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">and His manifold wisdom wouldn’t be revealed by His Church (Ephesians 3:10).</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Secondly, our forgiveness becomes sweeter and more meaningful if we stand to enlighten the </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">minds and hearts of those who belittle us or want to get rid of us. That’s why God is </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">pleading with his enemies to give their reasons and to hear our reasons:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they </span><span style="font-size: 14.7px;">shall become like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)</span></blockquote>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-29175924133297975672017-05-27T03:41:00.000-07:002017-05-27T03:41:08.109-07:00Christ and the Relational Problems of our Generation (Part 2)<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;">
How can we manifest the truth about our faith in Christ to individuals in our contemporary generation who do not have the mind of Christ and are lost and incapacitated by the beliefs and ideologies they have adopted? Many are unable to or too busy to evaluate the values underpinning their own beliefs and ideas. Nor do they anticipate the outcomes of their actions which are shaped by those beliefs. Only Christ can help them to pause and see what they have been missing and how they have been exposing their own lives and the lives of their communities to progressive moral bankruptcy. It is therefore urgent for us to reveal the mind and heart of Christ to them and become explicit in shining the Christ-light on all matters of life, but particularly the spiritual. </div>
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Perhaps one of the most effective and legitimate tools in this light-shining endeavor is a creative conversation. Even though a person may be aware that Christ stands in opposition to many parts of their beliefs, they may not have experienced the challenge and stimulation of such a conversation. The revelation of Christ will fully engage a person’s mind, heart and conscience in such a conversation. The Holy Spirit often harnesses a person’s competence and capacity to discover the truth individually without the bias of pre-suppositions. Christ will help them to allow their consciences to become vocal about the truth since their freedom is closely linked to the awareness and declaration of their conscience about right and wrong. Christ wants them to experience a true testimony within themselves about the belief they hold which can give them peace. He knows that they will not be able to have a comfortable testimony in themselves unless they follow His model. </div>
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This manner of creating awareness in people is inventive and productive because of the work of God in the Creation of humanity. The Gospel states that since God has created people in His own image, their conscience therefore bears witness to the principles which sprang from God’s image into their lives against their own conflicting thoughts, accusations or even excuses. </div>
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<i>14 for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15 who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves </i>their<i> thoughts accusing or else excusing </i>them<i>)</i> (Romans 2: 14 – 15 NKJV) </div>
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In other words, so long as we are prepared to introduce Christ to them and can get them into a dynamic conversation with us and help them to discover their own conflicting moral stands, they have inherent capacity to discover the Christ-light and be enlightened., Even a person’s own conflicting thoughts, when exposed by discussion and challenge can demonstrate the human capacity to differentiate between truth and falsehood. We can challenge a person, if we have confidence in Christ, to prove the authenticity of their belief to us if they desire us to follow their path. In being asked to verbally expound their beliefs, a person is forced to formulate and justify them which can expose the inadequacies and inconsistencies. Certainly, they will give their hearts to Christ if they continue to discuss with us.</div>
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How do we get people into a dialogue with us? What are the fundamental tools that bring a Christian and a non-Christian together for an open and creative dialogue? </div>
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Each person in the world understandably desires to have the best of everything in life. For us Christians, this is a strong God-inspired tool that focuses our attention on the very nature of what <b><i>is</i></b> the best. Other people may not know what is truly the best. Nevertheless, their claim to have the best or their desire to search for the best is a powerful instinct to motivate them for a conversation. In my interactions with people over the years I have come face to face with individuals who claim their belief to be the best among all. My response to them has often been “I would love to have your belief if you can prove its greatness to me.” My rational appeal has encouraged some of them to evaluate their assertion and to prove the accuracy of their claims as we have exchanged emails in a logical dialogue. This has opened the space for us to discuss the approaches of our respective beliefs about life in comparison with the values of Christ. Praise God, this has resulted in some of them putting their trust in Christ. </div>
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When it comes to us, as the followers of Christ, our tool is the identity we have in Christ. He calls us as His light for the world. His light in us has established us as His heavenly examples to shine among people, drawing their attention, edifying them and illuminating their hearts and minds for everything in life. The very reason for Christ shining through us is to make us wise, enabling us to share our wisdom with others, teaching and convincing them to allow Christ to shine through them too. The light and wisdom of Christ is closely linked to the teaching of the whole Bible. The prophet Daniel prophesied:</div>
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<i>And those who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the sky; and those who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever.</i> (Daniel 12:3, MKJV)</div>
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This verse is a prophesy about Christ and His followers. The true followers of Christ are called wise and asked to make the manifold wisdom of God known to people. </div>
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<i>8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what </i>is<i> the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly </i>places,<i> 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, </i>(Ephesians 3: 8-11 NKJV)</div>
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The manifold wisdom of God is about the entirety of life - spiritual, social, moral, political, economic. The light of Christ is to fashion our minds and hearts with the beauties of Christ’s mind and heart about every aspect and stage of life so that we can teach people and prepare and mature them to teach others in a similar way. That’s why His Gospel calls us His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). An ambassador knows his/her sender and can reveal and represent his values. For example, in a discussion about leadership we need to know why the leadership of Christ transcends the model of their leadership and how it unites people in family and society for a harmonious, creative and productive life. What principles are there in the leadership model of Christ which inspire people to understand and believe that their contribution for the success of others will result in their own success?</div>
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This is the kind of disciple Christ desires us to become, helping others to think deeply about life and grasp bigger pictures for enlightening others. He has commanded us to make disciples (Matthew 28:19) so that not only do they put into practice all that He taught but also teach others to do so. Therefore, as His ambassadors we are responsible to reveal His teaching about all things to individuals and nations on earth under His caring, loving and generous leadership: things about God, about His character, how relevant He is to the life of people, what kind of leadership model He has, how people deal with each other under His leadership, what life will look like without Him, what His concerns are about individuals and nations, what initiatives He has taken to draw people’s attention to reconciliation and a long-lasting peace and why people need to leave other models behind and follow His model.</div>
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Jesus not only revealed to us God and His plans with His manifold wisdom but also laid an unshakable foundation for teaching people to overcome all kinds of relational hindrances. This was to help people reach reconciliation and to live in peace. He taught us so that we could allow Him to use us as His examples to teach others. We need to honor Him by becoming His faithful disciples, His salt and light in a world that suffers from relational problems.</div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-33609816948818664042017-03-21T03:04:00.000-07:002017-03-21T03:04:44.483-07:00Christ and the Relational Problems of Our Generation<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">For over three decades I lived in two Islamic countries while I was a Muslim. I learned that practically speaking self-interest carried more weight than the family interest which carries a secondary weight and what is in the interests of the wider society comes last. Leaders, either amongst extended families or in other circles, speak to one another about their deeper desires and efforts for togetherness and the success of everybody, as if they are angels sent for establishing a harmonious life. But it is all to manipulate, overtake, leave others behind and gain more for themselves. Of course, there are a handful of people who want to have a simple life and stay away from these games as much as they can.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">These relational and psychological problems are because the dominant belief has closed the door to humility, servanthood and self-sacrifice becoming the leading factors in leadership. It rather has opened the door wide for the accumulation of power in any possible way and through every means, as the saying goes, “The </span>end justifies the means”. Under the authority of such belief you need to do everything it takes, ethical or unethical, to gain power at any cost and to establish yourself as the most authoritative figure. You need power to occupy the mind and heart of every person and thing, including media to become your political players for silencing others and to ensure the longevity of your rule. Then every truth-lover will be branded as betrayer or threat and all others will be called to rise, like a tribal movement, against the threat and destroy it at its conception. That’s why the Middle East has become the stronghold of bloodshed for centuries.</div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">I also learned that leaders were always perfect and the most gracious ones. They do not need any opinion or advice to reform their leadership since they are faultless. Reformation falls only on the shoulders of followers in order to learn better ways to perform their duties that the new leaders expect from them. The leader is not accountable to anyone, but all are accountable to him. Nobody has the right to speak about the leader’s weaknesses or failure - everybody is obliged to present even the leader’s failures as his victories. The leader twists words and presents circumstances in such a way as to command praise from the people, such as presenting his leadership as extraordinarily good and that the country has never seen such a caring and gracious leader. Recently, I was listening to the comments of a self-established once-for-all-time president of a Muslim country on YouTube. This dictator was talking in a meeting, saying that his close companions were worrying that he had brought his country to a such a level of unimaginable overt freedom that it presented a risk of being confusing to the populace. Imagine that in a country where there is scarcely any freedom everyone is obliged to rejoice and say that they have abundant freedom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Most contemporary Islamic countries’ laws speak in favour of freedom and equal opportunity, but they remain only inside the legal books just to give leaders a basis for lip service either nationally or internationally. Lip service has always been a practice in Islamic countries right from the establishment of Islam until now. It demonstrates how religious and ideological values and habits override laws in dictatorial ideologies, and how an authoritarian belief trains its adherents, directly or indirectly, to view laws and regulations as secondary to power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Muslim leaders have always had two kinds of lifestyles, apparent and secret. The secret life is known to the immediate family members only and also to some extent to very close and trustable friends or companions. Whereas the apparent life is a show for demonstrating in a manipulative way that the leader is benevolent and ethical, all for him to pave the way for himself to penetrate and dominate endlessly. This dualistic lifestyle has become the cause of weighty psychological problems in all Islamic countries where people are forced to coat words with niceness and serve the interests of unjust people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We see how Islam has affected the life of its followers negatively and endangered a harmonious life among its followers. It is impossible for Muslims to be cured of</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">these psychological and relational illnesses unless they leave Islam and come to faith in Christ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Our jaws drop anytime we see similar kinds of psychological problems in the west, especially amongst many educated people who have turned their back on Judeo-Christian values. They too, like in Islamic countries, hide their real ideological colors behind talk superficially coated with democracy, freedom and equal rights. They do this in order to reach their goals in a hypocritical way as if it is too hard for them to invest their time, money and energy for the spread of their beliefs openly and with honesty. Not only this, they also react with coercion and intimidation, if a person standing true to his/her community exposes their insincerities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Why do they do this? Because their ideas and beliefs, like Islam, cannot handle truth and reason. The followers are therefore unable to realize that in a democratic society actions and words need to be filtered for protecting the freedom and rights of all. Since these beliefs and ideas do not stand for the freedom and right of all, they push their followers to receive endorsement or allegiance via dishonesty and manipulation. We are all aware that dishonesty and deception are the two inseparable friends of discrimination, intimidation and war.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Anti-Judeo-Christian values in the west misled people with the notion of “all are true” in order to confuse people, create a cultural war between the national and minority cultures’ adherents for benefiting from these cultural clashes and thereby receive the support of people who fall into their traps. For them the power for domination comes from clashes among various people groups, like the “thesis and anti-thesis” of Socialism or “Muslims against non-Muslims” of Islam. This was the reason for the establishment of multiculturalism so that each cultural group could receive sovereignty for its culture and push its course until domination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Unfortunately, their politics worked. Many surrendered to them blindly since they were unaware of their agendas and still are. As a result, they dominated and gave further legal power to minority groups to bully those who did not confirm their ways. Even many migrants, who have come to have a better life in the west, have learned from these narcissistic westerners that it is ok to disregard the fundamental values and constitutions in the west and stand for their own cultures, cultures that have failed in their own motherlands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We can see how these beliefs and ideologies have incapacitated people and turned them to become the enemies of their own lives and the lives of people surrounding them. This is a spiritual war orchestrated by Satan. Otherwise, it wouldn’t encourage people to base their faith in deception, coercion and hostility. Satan has made these people sick from the top of their heads to their toes. They need proper treatment. They need the eye-opening words of Jesus Christ, His brain, reason, compassion, love and reconciliation in order to be able to know the truth and become free. For this reason, we, as the followers of Jesus Christ, need </span>to look at them with the eyes of Christ and speak to them with the mind, heart and mouth of Jesus Christ. That’s why He told us:</div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. </i>(Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.</i> (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Light makes things visible, reveals their beauties for acceptance but their defects for rejection. We need to shine amongst deceived people so that they can discover the remedy for their lives. We are the adherents of the truthful belief. A truthful belief does not hide its own objects behind deceiving words. That’s why the Gospel of Jesus Christ says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>[We] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. </i>(2 Corinthians 4:2, KJV).</span></blockquote>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-26672675381003542912017-02-08T02:29:00.000-08:002017-02-08T11:55:25.432-08:00What Unites Us Is Different from What Unites the Rest<div style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-kerning: none;">Adherents of almost all beliefs and religions speak about unity, but in practice that unity ends up either in disintegration, with destructive fall-out among its own members, or it ends up in a long-lasting and constructive relationship.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">All those beliefs that promote the theory of evolution and also the religion of Islam speak about an ultimate global unity, but all believe that they cannot reach unity unless their group strive against other groups and prevails over them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">All other beliefs that see the solution in the power of man and crown him as a god believe that they will reach unity by empowering individualism and self-centeredness, whereas self-centeredness is the major obstacle to unity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">There can be no hope of unification among individuals, groups or people or nations for a long-lasting relationship unless they are under a head whose belief is designed to unite people together from the beginning to the end. He combats the threat of conflict among them but establishes them in a path where they are able to unite their hearts, minds, feelings, plans, purposes and acts in such a way as if they belong to one another as the members of a healthy body. He not only unites them in all conduct of life but strengthens their zeal to love one another as their own body and further become the voice of this unity to others. This amazing unity is taught in the Gospel of Jesus Christ only:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. </i>(Philippians 2:2-5, ESV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">People need to follow Jesus Christ who is able to take the human race as a whole, bring people together from various national backgrounds, renew their minds and hearts so that they can walk together delightfully in His Path. Life which ensues from the message of the gospel practically and consistently nurtures unity despite differences in cultures, habits and laws. Cultural and habitual differences naturally force people into alienation and dominance. However a true belief enlarges people’s understanding of and commitment to taking personal responsibility for establishing unity. It enriches cultures so that people can unite their whole strength, wills, practices, cares and judgments together for following the best role model and thereby protect themselves from the forces of alienation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">In a truly unified group, people do not reject each other, but have unceasing peace which enables advancement in every aspect of life. This is because in peace the advancement of one also represents the advancement and benefit of others. There is no sense of competitiveness or personal gain at the expense of others.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">The greatness of Jesus Christ is seen in His ability to establish such a unity among people of all colors, races, nationalities and ranks. For this unique task He deserves to be the commander in all things and among all nations and generations. The Prophet Isaiah defines the role of Jesus Christ very well:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>…. the government shall be on His shoulder; and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. There is no end of the increase of His government and peace …. </i>(Read Isaiah 9:6-7, MKJV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">Because He is the Prince of Peace, there is no end of His unity, and because He has the heart of an everlasting and loving Father, He does not allow war and hostility to run the lives of His followers. That’s why nothing is more important than the love and harmony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Gospel says:</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;"><i>Through Him having made peace through the blood of His cross, it pleased the Father to reconcile all things to Himself through Him, whether the things on earth or the things in Heaven. </i>(Colossians 1:20, MKJV)</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">By virtue of the reconciliation through Jesus Christ, we are established for eternal unity and peace. Our friendship in Christ is not divided but perfect to the extent that not only do we share the joy of reconciliation here on earth but also hereafter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-kerning: none;">We, as the followers of Christ, are called to be the messengers of this unity to the world. Let us exercise our role in this New Year faithfully, embrace His plan for unity with the full purpose of our hearts and thereby prove to others by our lives that He is the only One to unite people in eternal truth, love and peace. The practice of our unity on earth will make the unity plan of Jesus Christ relevant to all nations and will pave the way for us all for an amazing song of unity in the future (Revelation 7:9-12).</span></div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-58705229920391528372016-12-13T22:18:00.001-08:002016-12-13T22:18:24.736-08:00Jesus Came to Reconcile the World to God<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
Two persons or parties cannot truly unite with one another if they are not of the same mind and heart. Also a true unity does not take place unless priority is given to the values that guarantee a long-lasting relationship. Unity with God also is not exempt from this principle. It is impossible for a person who is spiritually chained to the kingdom of sin, to unite with God, who is absolutely against sin by nature, unless that person allows his/her spiritual citizenship to become godly. This is what the true meaning and mission of Christmas should be since it is predominantly regarded as a season of celebration for the Birth of Jesus Christ. The revelation of Jesus Christ is to release people from the kingdom of Satan and establish them in the Kingdom of God. When we understand the way this transition takes place and when we allow this Redeemer to unite us with God, then we are with God and part of His community and plan, as the Gospel says:</div>
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<i>But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name. </i>(John 1:12, MKJV)</div>
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Those who receive Christ and allow Him to set their minds and hearts in heaven are enabled to grasp the true meaning of Christmas, the Birth of Christ. This is because they have accepted the revelation of God in Christ and are thereby honored by God who declares them members of His own kingdom and household; His co-workers and children. (Ephesians 2) They now carry the citizenship of God’s Kingdom with God’s extraordinary reverence and have the right to be the spokesmen and women of God. They are authorized to represent God as His ambassadors and reveal His Kingdom values to those who do not know Him and haven’t received Him yet.</div>
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Therefore, the object of Christmas, in its true meaning, is to reveal that God stepped into life on earth in order to carry out His plan for long-lasting reconciliation and unity. Man’s mind and heart function conditionally and as a result produce conditional and relative reconciliation which can be breached anytime conditions necessitate. But God’s mind and heart are based on unconditional love which makes the harmony enduring from the beginning to the end. </div>
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The unconditional love of God is His greatest Christmas gift to humanity. It is the greatest because while people were in bondage to Satan, God’s enemy, and did not deserve His love and forgiveness, He took a sacrificial step, paid an astonishing price in order to redeem people from the bondage of Satan and reconcile them to Himself. As the Gospel says:</div>
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<i>For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.</i> (John 3:16-17)</div>
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With this sacrifice, God gives His eternal love and compassion as free gifts to His own enemies (Romans 5:8) in order to open their eyes to the truth, redeem them from spiritual death and hopelessness and establish them in eternal life, peace and joy. Through this sacrificial initiative, God also reveals the doctrinal differences between His concept and the worldly concepts so that people can understand the object of His revelation in Jesus Christ and avoid blind obedience. As the Gospel says:</div>
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<i>And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.</i> (John 8:32, MKJV)</div>
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No matter who started the Christmas celebration, whether or not they were authorized by God to start such a celebration for the Birth of Christ or whether the day of Christmas matches the actual Birthday of Jesus Christ or not, the majority have accepted that Christmas is about the Birth of Jesus Christ. If this is the case now, it then should be a time of receiving and representing Jesus Christ and a season of experiencing the eternal joy of reconciliation with God.</div>
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God is not against people’s gifts to one another and their generosity towards needy people at Christmas time. But more than anything else, He loves the true message of Christmas being revealed to people through our gifts and through every other thing we do. For this reason, we need to allow our presents and happiness to function inside the frame-work of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. </div>
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God revealed Himself in Jesus Christ to change us so that we can adapt ourselves to His way of life in order to have enduring peace in ourselves, in our relationships with one another and with God. God did not give His only begotten Son for the sake of our worldly and short-lived pleasures. The world’s pleasure is a self or a group oriented pleasure which can become the cause of misery for many. Aren’t thousands of wandering refugees in the Middle East the result of a self-oriented pleasure and preference? God’s pleasure is different from this worldly pleasure. Worldly pleasure is without Christ, alienated from the heart of God and does not focus on the purposes of life. This is because it is not from God and therefore cannot be the object of true life. God’s pleasure instead is to save and shield people from extremists and to give purpose to their lives. God is like the shepherd who attends his flocks sacrificially and delights in them. God rejoices over preparing His followers to become like Him and be blessings to one another.</div>
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Let us therefore please the heart of our God and practically prove to people that Christmas is about the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ. He revealed Himself in Jesus to give us a heavenly identity so that we could put Jesus at the center of our lives and make His expectations our priorities. He expects us to be functional with our new heavenly identity on earth and proclaim to our children, grandchildren, surroundings and to the world that His Birth declares the everlasting love of the God of the universe to His creatures so that they can have long-lasting fellowship with God, rejoice in peace and unity with Him and one another eternally.</div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-49638812667384279682016-11-03T22:50:00.000-07:002016-11-03T22:50:56.143-07:00Freedom Necessitates Evaluation<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;">Freedom cannot flourish in a society or survive without analyzing the merits of beliefs and values and without standing for the best out of all of them. Indeed, we can only demonstrate our freedom when our freedom of choice is esteemed in our societies and we are in no way under pressure to follow things blindly. In a free society, people have individual space to practice their autonomy and to put their analyzing power into practice. This helps them to make healthy decisions and to have meaningful lives based on good and rational reasons.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div>
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Nothing should bother people's freedom of choice. This is essential if they are morally expected to be responsible for their attitudes and actions in a society. If regulations are made to limit the exercising of free will for evaluation or choice, then it rids people of any social responsibility. In other words, if the law limits me in my ability to think before I act, then I cannot be held responsible for my actions since I was forbidden to analyze and anticipate the consequences. </div>
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So we see how vital it is for us to approach life with open minds and hearts, making a willful decision for whatever we want to choose or follow. That’s why the Gospel of Christ asks Christians not to follow Christ blindly<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> but to be prepared and to give reasons for following Christ:</div>
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<i>…. always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.</i> (1Peter 3.15, ESV)</div>
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Living in a society, either with diversity or uniformity, makes us responsible to give reasons for the values we follow. Every follower of Christ is asked to give reasons for the establishment of his/her hope in Christ. These reasons reveal the life quality of Christ in every aspect of life either philosophically, doctrinally, politically, socially, economically or ethically. Unlike all other beliefs and philosophies, the life in Christ is not compatible with vagueness. It is based on the knowledge of the truth which allows the truth to flourish in every sphere of life, creating freedom. This freedom in turn becomes the motivating factor in our lives to protect freedom. We do this through the exercising of our minds, hearts and consciences in all circumstances, and also in our relationships with others, friends or strangers alike, in order to educate or strengthen them to do the same. This creates openness so that people become interested in reading the chapters’ of each other’s lives and in searching for the best together<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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This dynamic culture of Christianity was amiably welcomed by many organizations in the West after the protestant movement, and it played a significant role in making western organizations creative, productive and successful. It brought all employees together, no matter what their ranks and backgrounds, so that they could share the result of their investigations, experiences and knowledge with each other. This helped them to discover the best means for better and higher quality performance. The Gospel of Christ states that the members of one body are all equally significant and function in harmony. Western organizations also applied this principle so that their ‘members’ function in harmony in every aspect. They established the Benchmark and brought all, from the lower level worker to the chief executive officers, together in order to erase barriers so as to operate as a unified organizational body. </div>
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It is amazing that this Christian principle has now become an inevitable part of the organizational culture in most successful businesses in the West (and in the world). Many of our contemporary business leaders and managers reject Christianity on the surface. But underneath they have allowed Christian participative leadership, relational values and work ethics to become the pillars of their organizational cultures. This has made for substantial success despite the challenges of competition. Very few of these leaders and managers want to compromise this Culture of Success with political correctness, multiculturalism and relativism since the result of compromise will be huge losses for them. We saw how some financial institutions in the West were deceived by Islamists and opened their doors to the Islamic Sharia Finance, but soon some realized the stagnant nature of Islamic economic principles which focuses on the interests of its adherents only. Some of them abandoned the Sharia culture and went back to their already dynamic Christian practices and values. </div>
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My aim in saying this is to say that most leaders of successful businesses act as hypocrites and contrary to the practices of Christian values and ethics when involved in educational institutions and governmental organizations. They turn their backs on the same values that are the fundamental factors for success in their own organizations. Because of political correctness, they are unable to or do not want to understand the fact that their countries will go bankrupt and fail immeasurably if they do not support the practice of the same Christian principles for their own countries too. They are not far-sighted enough to see that the the biblical culture is woven into their organizational cultures, and their organizational life is a part of their countries’ economic life too. If their countries fail, their businesses will fail too. If they support governments and educational centers who turn their back on Christian values, the anti-Christian government’s norms will also, sooner or later, affect their own organizations negatively. In the same way, the universities’ anti-Christian graduates will also, sooner or later, become their employees and become a threat to their successful organizational cultures. Then it will be too late and difficult for them to defend their rights and to fight against the established rules, regulations and individuals who are out to erase their means of progress.</div>
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We see how subtly dualism and short-sightedness have occupied the atmosphere of the West now and do not allow people to pursue a meaningful life. Communities are forced to leave investigation, evaluation, discussion and healthy decision-making behind, bowing down to a failing culture of ignorance and indifference which progressively narrows their freedom and enslaves them to a complete totalitarianism. People’s growing dependence on this worsening culture is stealing their respect of Christ’s beliefs and values, subtly leading them to a future which will be the end of their freedom and civilization. We have lost our freedom in universities, schools and governmental offices; we will do the same soon in our worship places and homes too.</div>
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Freedom cannot function if people’s minds, hearts and consciences are restricted by governmental and school regulations. Individual autonomy for investigation, comparison, debating, rejecting or accepting is the sacred right in each person’s life and the landmark for protecting freedom. Any invasion of this sacred autonomy is the failure of freedom. </div>
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The doctrine of Christ has proven itself practically to be the only cause and power of freedom in the West. People need to be encouraged to relentlessly investigate this and to see how powerful and effective the values of Christ are for the establishment of freedom. It is a violation of human rights if people are limited in their ability to investigate and discover the means for their freedom. It is our urgent responsibility, therefore, to wake up people to realize that understanding is the key for having freedom:</div>
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<i>You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.</i> (John 8:32, ESV)</div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-25254890040308019292016-10-10T03:18:00.001-07:002016-10-10T03:18:08.267-07:00Subtly Confined and Consumed<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
I remember how we young Iranians based our allegiance blindly on Ayatollah Khomeini’s verbal claim that Islam would fill in all of the inconsistencies in our society and take us to democracy. His comment exploited a major blind spot of the younger generation at that time in Iran; we who yearned for democracy, yet did not know that the very heart of Islam is incompatible with democracy. Ayatollah Khomeini’s proclamation of democracy was indeed a seductive ploy for him and his committed mullahs to reach for power and in fact entirely block the road to democracy. As a result, we became our own enemies by surrendering ourselves and our country to Ayatollah Khomeini who later made our own motherland a prison for us. For those of us who were able to run away from Iran and take shelter in the West it is truly heartbreaking and worrying to see that aggressive ideologues of the West are deceiving people with similar forms of socio-political pretenses, aiming to blind our societies, grasp long awaited authoritarianism and destroy the freedom we have. We never imagined seeing this in the West before our migration. Through my doctoral study, I had already discovered the uniqueness of Christian values and how its dynamic, considerate and creative leadership style was able to equip Western citizens to manifest the most successful lifestyle on earth. This gave us a vision for our migration to the West and a hope that the West would certainly have something strong to bind us new<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">-</span>comers to its existing citizens and them to us so that together we could value freedom, integrate and do whatever we could to protect our new country from potential threats. </div>
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Instead, we are shocked to see how far astray the West has gone, undermining its golden values and welcoming the values of foreign models that have long gone bankrupt in their respective lands. In particular, multiculturalism has given rise to the paradoxical dilemma of constraining certain discussion and expression with the straight jacket of political correctness, while giving free expression and liberty to anti-Christian sentiments. To mock, despise and discredit the Judea-Christian foundation of Western culture and society has become the popular discourse while subtly and naively these anti-Christians display tolerance toward insolvent cultures which erode freedom and fairness. Now many westerners, particularly a large number of young people, have fallen into traps of aggression and thereby find themselves bullying Christianity without knowing that their actions have been selling out their own freedom to the home-spun presentations of the self-styled guardians in the West. Amazingly, these people call themselves the promoters of freedom without realizing that they have been seduced, exploited and consumed for the destruction of freedom. They are unaware that their minds have become restrained with beliefs and patterns which are not compatible with freedom. </div>
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What will the future be for a society that is highly exposed to such unawareness and incomprehension? The old proverb says:</div>
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<i>The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. </i>(Proverb 21:16, KJV)</div>
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Lack of understanding confines people and makes them passive, unresponsive and irresponsible. That’s why the Bible equates the lack of understanding with death. Understanding is a gateway to freedom. Jesus said:</div>
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<i>You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. </i>(John 8:32, MKJV)</div>
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Neglecting the significance of understanding, following leaders and beliefs blindly, walking in their ways irrationally and sightlessly are roadblocks to freedom. This is what is happening in our societies and many of our contemporaries are acting as barricades to freedom. They are wrapped in perplexity, made slaves to the indefinite calls of opportunists and thereby are unable to walk in the path of freedom and live victoriously. It is true when the Bible says:</div>
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<i>If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself for the battle? </i>(1 Corinthians 14:8)</div>
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Can uncertainty wake people, bind them together as a nation, give them a reasonable vision and authorize them with strength to win the battles that threaten their existence and freedom? No. Only clarity and understanding can build up souls in truth so that they can understand who they are, why they are on earth and in which direction they need to walk. </div>
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There is no doubt that many of our people are deceived and abused. It is our responsibility to inform them in any way possible so that they can free themselves from following false examples. There have always been people throughout history who loved their own personal aspirations more than the interest of their nations. There have also been courageous people who tirelessly informed others and fought for the protection of their nations’ freedom. The liberty we have in the West has not come to us accidentally. Lives were burned by selfish leaders in the squares of the West for their courage in protecting their nations’ liberty. With their sacrifices, they taught their generations that leaders may ignore their own personal rights, but they may not turn their back on the rights of their nations. These children of freedom could not sit idle and allow egocentric leaders to sacrifice the rights of people to their own individual interests. We need to follow their examples. Ignoring the interests of our nation is like turning our back on our own families since our families make up our nations. </div>
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We need to follow the standard of Jesus Christ. He knew that it was costly to love the world and engage people in avoiding blind obedience but recruiting them to discover the truth. Yet He paid the price and fulfilled His love for the world. This is what we need to do if we truly love people and long for them to become free. </div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-63770440753936525152016-09-07T00:23:00.002-07:002016-09-07T00:26:45.574-07:00Disharmony Among Leaders' Beliefs, Plans and Actions<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
In recent decades we have witnessed frequently a high degree of disharmony in the plans of many leaders from civilised countries. They have not only been contradicting each other, but some of their plans have been sharply resisting others' plans as well. Imagine the destiny of a community whose leaders are ill equipped, resisting their own leadership style with contradictory plans and approaches. What can then be expected to happen in the midst of their community? It is obvious that a spirit of conflict and rivalry will prevail. Harmony and peace will be dismissed and the means of discord and polarisation will dominate. </div>
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We all know what happens in countries with dictatorships, how leaders put themselves at the center of everything and force people to take their side. Even leaders in some western countries have been imposing themselves on their citizens and coercing them to take a position without testing the validity or truth of that view. Leadership has become more like emotional or political propaganda that compels people to join a party or group without a clear picture of the end result of their case. Not many of our contemporary leaders are interested in facing the real issues of our time and investing in discovering real remedies for problems. Their plans are nothing but fantasies and their approaches nothing but punching air. They love to spend their time on superficial things just to keep people emotionally engaged. A classic example would be how much concern and discussion was aired by some US leaders over whether there should be free access to opposite gender toilets!</div>
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When a leader is ill-equipped or unable to address the real needs of his people the result is confusion and no solid majority standard. A leader without a sound and stable moral code is more difficult to hold accountable to their own integrity. Unfortunately, many leaders in the West have disassociated themselves from Christian morality<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> Instead, they operate according to a fluid, relativist morality and rule randomly, thereby justifying whatever the consequences of their leadership decisions may be.</div>
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Such an unpredictable leadership will be the cause of divisions, indifference, discord, disloyalties, ethnic rivalry, discrimination, hatred, violence and wickedness. These evils will penetrate every sphere of national culture, progressively turning it into a culture of death and<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> in this way<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> blocking the path to unity and peace. No society can become healthy with such an erratic leadership that paves the way for doing evil.</div>
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One confusion that seems to dominate among our contemporary leaders is around Globalization and Multiculturalism. These are two popular ideologies that are, in practice, in conflict with one another. On one hand, leaders claim to be committed to a ‘global’ doctrine for political and economic co-operation. On the other hand, internally, they proclaim the sovereignty of the doctrine of ‘multiculturalism’, in which full freedom is given to each individual culture to run its own course. This is argued on the grounds of the belief that sectarianism must be avoided at all costs. </div>
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Think about the war against Climate Change by Western leaders. They have been marching ahead to obligate all nations and people groups to follow their particular climate-friendly agenda. But at the same time the same leaders have not only been defending the establishment of Islam in the West, but also have allowed huge amounts of taxpayers’ dollars to be invested for the formation of this religion’s Sharia. Unfortunately Sharia does not want non-Muslims to breath fresh air, but wants them to be suffocated for simply not joining Islam!</div>
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How many millions of dollars have been invested in the last three decades by Western leaders to get their environmental agenda embraced worldwide? It’s huge! These so-called civilized Western leaders have been trying to influence the minds of the leaders of developing and underdeveloped countries to introduce greater openness and dynamism into their closed cultures by getting them to start protecting their domestic environment for the benefit of the entire world’s population. Their messages about Climate Change tell us, though only theoretically, that we are now living in a global village where the self-centeredness of a group or of developing nations will be a cost to others. On this basis they argue that these developing nations should not use technology in a selfish way and at the cost of others’ rights and well-being<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> But alas, we wish the leaders in the West would be just as candid about the importance of 'worldview' in their approach to the leaders of developing nations. This might help these leaders to better understand the significance of the relationship between cultural practices and environment. Surely this might help the developing nations to take climate initiatives that would advance consistent targets at home and abroad. Alas, this is not what we have seen in the past decades.</div>
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The problem lies at the root of their beliefs and philosophies. Most Western leaders believe in evolution and random natural selection, meaning that everything happens by chance and there cannot be a reliable man-made plan, including a plan for Climate Change<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span>, After all, nature is in control and is the driving force in life. You see<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> these leaders do not believe in the capacity of humankind to write a deliverable plan<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> Neither do they believe in the existence of any pre-made or Divine plan. The bottom line is that they hold to a doctrine of ‘the inevitability of gradualism’ that will take its course. Yet, they still try to impose plans and ask others to respect their plans. Isn’t this strange? A total contradiction between their philosophies, their plans and their actions.</div>
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This is why they struggle to bring their promises to reality and deliver their political pledges. Firstly, they do not have a sound belief system to underpin their plans. Secondly, they defeat their own (globalization) plans by asserting sovereign power to every cultural group at home, without asking them to be open to integration. A good example of this is the sovereign power that they have given to Islamists to hold onto their closed, intolerant and restrictive beliefs even though that is contradictory to the dynamic of globalization. They proclaim loudly that they are globally caring leaders, but miss the point that Islamists have historically not cared for harmony. Rather, they care for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate to force the world to bow down to their 7<sup>th</sup> century AD nomadic culture of Mecca.</div>
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So you see that<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> on one hand, Western leaders have been aiming to assert their power and demand the right to pursue their agendas for the future of the planet - all in the name of global harmony - but on the other hand<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> they have been undermining themselves at home via multiculturalism which gives power to groups like the Islamists<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> not only to disregard the significance of environmental issues, but the future of the world for non-Muslim citizens. What a contradiction! That’s why Islamic terrorism has been advancing globally alongside the proclamation of ‘globalization’ (worldwide-harmony). This contradiction has been palpable for three decades now. Islamists realize that leaders in the West are no longer governing for the protection of their own communities<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> Rather they are distracted by myriad minority agendas and personal aspirations for power and reputation. Muslims know that the more the cloudy-minded leaders in the West are in power<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> the more Islamists will be able to spread their influence and penetrate and destabilize non-Islamic societies. </div>
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What a leadership crisis the West is facing! The weakness in leadership has been ripping off western culture and undermining its openness, freedom and creativity. Instead, Western societies have become increasingly divided, discordant and chaotic. Such a negative trend in a culture will inevitably prepare the society for the rule of a dictator. That’s why the totalitarian thinkers are happy for the changes that are dominating the West. Some are even financing the fragmentation, the conflict and the madness so that the long<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">-</span>awaited dictatorship might take over<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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What is the solution?</div>
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The solution is in Jesus Christ. The Gospel says that God is not the author of disorder and confusion but of unity and peace (1 Corinthians 14:33)<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> For this reason, the leadership of Christ is the best model. He is the Prince of peace and unity. There is no trace of confusion in His leadership. Confusion drives peace and unity away. Western leaders therefore need to go back to their Judeo-Christian legacy if they want to leave a positive impact on their world and be a blessing to other nations. No leader who is under the inspiration of Jesus Christ and seeks His counsel continually will be exposed to confusion. The Spirit of Christ in him will guide him to avoid any contradiction between his plans, promises and actions. He will not allow the spirit of division and disharmony to prevail and ruin the peace of his people. His society will experience stability under his leadership. Let us pray for leaders to have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and to allow Him to inspire them with His leadership values for the sake of their own personal need for peace, and for the peace of their societies and the world.</div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-31252735467887483062016-07-08T04:07:00.001-07:002016-07-08T04:07:07.071-07:00They Claim to be Wise, but Support Islam<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
The simple definition of a wise person is one who looks at things from many angles, reflects on them in a wider context and comes up with a result or solution beneficial for humanity. Wisdom is about searching and distinguishing truth from untruth and how truth can be discerned and applied appropriately.</div>
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Some Westerners have united with Islam and consider their position insightful and wise. Not only have they taken this position personally but they also expect others, including Christians, to adopt it themselves and the chaotic culture and way of life that goes with it. Are these so<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">-</span>called insightful and wise people sincerely willing to understand things? Have they given themselves a chance to look at Islam from various perspectives? Do they value their own capacity to think and to reflect on their words and actions? Have they developed any wisdom in these last two decades about Islamic extremism and have they been able to give any hope to their nations in the face of Islamic terrorism everywhere? Are they really wise and are they open to a different take on wisdom?</div>
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Jesus Christ has a definition of a wise person:</div>
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<i>Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on a rock. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house. And it did not fall, for it was founded on a rock. And everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them shall be compared to a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain came down, and the floods came, and the wind blew and beat on that house. And it fell, and great was its fall.</i> (Matthew 7:24-27)</div>
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In the last two decades, the Western supporters of Islam have built their spiritual, social, political and even economic hopes around the idea of multiculturalism. How solid a foundation has multiculturalism been for them and their nations? Have these supporters of Islam been wise, teachable and farsighted as multiculturalism has flooded their minds and hearts over the past two decades? Has it perhaps caused them to extend a generous, but naïve tolerance to Islam? </div>
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The war against Christianity has demonstrated that many Western people see the wisdom of Christ as foolish in contrast to multiculturalism. They have tried their utmost to shackle Christian values in so many arenas. They have held on tightly to multiculturalism, called Islam a religion of peace and at times have gone even further to blame Christians for the Islamists’ treacherous acts. </div>
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Is it possible to secure peace and harmony by shunning Christianity? Multiculturalism had been touted as an enlightened approach to social cohesion by which all members of the community (including Muslims) come to value and honour social and cultural diversity. But what has happened? Why do we see even Western-born Muslims joining ISIS and other Islamic terrorist groups to attack multiculturalism from the inside as well as from outside? Perhaps multiculturalism is a paradigm that lacks wisdom.</div>
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The Gospel of Jesus Christ defines wisdom in the following terms:</div>
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<i>But the wisdom that is from above is first truly pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.</i> (James 3:17, MKJV)</div>
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True wisdom must be purely right and devoid of any dualism. Dualism gives way to erroneous actions. If well- meaning supporters of Islam were wise, they would genuinely take the time to compare the values of Jesus Christ with the values of Muhammad first and then decide whose way to follow. If they purified their minds and hearts in this way, they wouldn’t find themselves protecting and positioning blood thirsty Islam in such a way as to expose the safety of their fellow men and women to terrorism. True wisdom does not compromise or fraternize with error and aggressiveness, but challenges minds and hearts to discover the best means of peace in order to promote peace. </div>
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A truly wise person is cautious, temperate, gentle, stands for modesty and reveals the power of modesty through his/her humble manner in pursuing equal justice in relationships and conversations. Multiculturalism has allowed the strident authoritarianism of Muhammad to dominate the humility and modesty of Jesus. Multiculturalism does not provide a way for navigating diversity other than preaching an undiscerning tolerance which dilutes wisdom. Unlike Muhammad, Christ points the way to strong reasoning. The gospel of Christ challenges stubbornness and produces kind thoughts, words and actions for a better and harmonious relationship. His wisdom is not hypocritical or deceitful; it unveils anything that is false. The Quran calls Allah “the best of deceivers” (Q.8:30), the one who teaches deceit. True wisdom has nothing to do with deceit. With Multiculturalism, society is required to turn a blind eye to or somehow rationalize the presence of the glaring anti-social, anti-peace, anti-freedom tenets of Islam. </div>
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To turn away from Jesus Christ to embrace multiculturalism is a deadly initiative that is far from wisdom. Only unwise people do this and expose their lives and the lives of their surroundings to destruction. This is what the supporters of Islam have done in the West. They have boasted in their man-power, became fools and therefore become unable to see the truth. Paul of Tarsus was a philosopher and had as much right to boast in his knowledge and wisdom as Socrates, Plato or Aristotle did. He had sufficient power of knowledge to establish a following for himself like many others did but see what he says:</div>
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<i>But may it never be for me to boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world.</i> (Galatians 6:14)</div>
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Paul knew that even the famous philosophers (a philosopher means a “wisdom lover”) were unable to protect themselves from foolishness and selfishness. They fell short sometimes because they were not perfect in wisdom. Despite their reputations for being wise, there were times that their actions proved foolish<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> contrary to their wisdom. For this reason, they needed to follow the perfect model of wisdom in order to develop wisdom in themselves and encourage others to do the same. They were unable to be the perfect models for others because they were not perfect and had no reason to boast in themselves. They just needed to humble themselves in front of the perfect God and allow His model to rule over them. It is the absolute wisdom of God, nothing less, that saves and unites. That’s why Paul humbled himself and proclaimed:</div>
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<i>In whom </i>(Christ)<i> are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.</i> (Colossians 2:3, MKJV)</div>
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Our minds, hearts and experiences cannot be the treasury of wisdom. Every one of our experiences is exposed to our self-centeredness and pride which are against purity, unity and peace and are channels for partiality and hypocrisy. If we do not acknowledge the best and do not take shelter in it, we will be nothing but vessels of pride, disunity, aggressiveness and will open the door further for injustice to dominate. This is why Islamic terrorism is progressing and not diminishing in the West. It is because Islam is accepted as a religion of peace in the West.</div>
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Let us pray and work hard for a great awakening in the West so that many can grasp the wisdom of Christ and give way to Him but give up supporting aggressive beliefs like Islam.</div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-90631020609715219832016-06-05T00:15:00.001-07:002016-06-05T02:31:53.770-07:00Is it Wise to Ignore Politics?<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;">Many of us Christians seem to forget the teaching of the Bible concerning our responsibility in Christ for the well-being of our societies.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;">When it comes to politics in particular, we either ignore it, keep our distance from it or fully abandon it. We do this largely because the church as a whole has not done well in handling this aspect of life. Perhaps because of rebellion or perhaps because of timidity or fear of conflict within the church, leaders have resisted the need to speak into some of the most pressing issues of the day. Clashes between ‘Christianity’ and the dominant cultures and philosophies of the moment seem, to many, to be the most prominent ‘evils’ to avoid.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div>
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In creating man and woman in His own image and likeness God embedded in the essence of humankind a relational nature and a <i>desire</i> for relationship and unity, including our political relationships with rulers and authorities. As believers in God, indeed, image bearers of God, our presence in our societies must mirror God’s purpose for our lives in our social and political engagements with people around us.</div>
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It is important to note as we read God’s Word that the saving plan of God included people getting involved in the cut and thrust of their society. Whether in support or in opposition, the unfolding of God’s plan involved people of every rank, including <i>politicians</i><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">, </span>(kings, administrators, generals, prime ministers, etc) being obedient to the plan and purposes of a Holy God who wanted the best for his people. Right from the beginning of Jesus’ ministry until this present time, Jesus calls His followers to be God’s salt and light in order to fulfill the desire of God to win nations through their public witness, including their witness concerning their responsibilities among other people in society. They are called to be the salt and light of the world in every part of life be that socially, politically, economically or ethically. </div>
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Unlike the desire of many rulers and politicians, Jesus never wanted His followers to limit their activities just for inside the church buildings and thereby separate themselves from the rest of the world. How can the mighty God with His plan of reconciliation, love, justice and peace be confined to a church building or a church liturgy? Who is more universal than God? No one, obviously. That’s why Jesus commanded His disciples to go to the end of the world and teach all nations:</div>
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<i>Therefore, go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, whatever I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the end of the world.</i> (Matthew 28:19-20, MKJV)</div>
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Jesus is asking His followers not to restrict their activities and influence for God only to a church or even to their own country but to walk alongside Him to the ends of the world, into the political and social territories of all nations making disciples of them, teaching them to <b>observe all things</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;"><b>.</b></span><b> </b>He taught them His just, modest and peace-loving political philosophy. That philosophy is based on a radical paradigm of servant-hood. He teaches us to exercise ruling and leadership with humility but not in the ways of those who impose themselves on their people and become a tyranny to them. His instruction to us is to allow the greatest among us to be the servant of all (read Matthew 20:25-27). </div>
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The promise of salvation in Christ does not exclude politicians, but rather sees them as parts of the wider community and invites them to reconcile with God and thereby with their people and act in a servant-like manner. Why would the contemporary leaders of Christ bring lawsuits against Him to execute Him if His message did not touch politics and involve politicians? It did. In a similar way, the teaching of His disciples also engaged their contemporary rulers, otherwise, they would not have been prosecuted and killed viciously by those rulers. Throughout the history of Christianity, millions of Christ’s followers have also been deprived of their rights or slaughtered by their contemporary rulers who saw the plan of Jesus Christ as a threat to their despotic rule. All this demonstrates that Christ has a purpose for this world that includes a challenge to tyrannical leaders. But this is not a challenge made of aggression, hatred and hostility. Rather, our role is to challenge them with His love so that they, in time, might serve their nation instead of dominating them. It is His courage that motivates us to approach our social environment, express our faith in Him with His language and become His vessels of change in every part of life in our society. </div>
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We are the political salt and light of the world as much as we are the salt and light of the world socially, economically and ethically. Our participation in politics is part of our mission for Christ in the world. We cannot deny the reality of our political philosophy. Whether we are able to identify it or not, the patterns of our thinking, our voting and our advocacy to politicians reveal our overriding principles, our beliefs and values, our moral compass for society. Most of us would put our hands up as citizens desiring a better world. We are not aloof from our fellow citizens. We are participants in human society. Christ’s view of humanity should inform all aspects of our lives, our full individual and social existence. Man cannot live in society without being affected by or, indeed, affecting the ideologies of others. Each ideology or belief system has its own political<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> social, economic and ethical applications which affect, draw and accrue supporters, including those who are interested in politics (and perhaps some who are not). As Christians seek to bring God’s Kingdom values to bear on life on Earth, involvement in the political arena of nations and communities is clearly inevitable and desirable.</div>
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Therefore, calling for Christians to stay away from politics is nothing but asking them to ignore their faith, have a passive stand in their relationship with others and withdraw from their concern for the lives of their fellow men and women. A healthy society does not come into existence without decisive, meaningful and active participation and care of its individual bodies, including Christians. Individuals are not created or do not exist to only be obedient in the path of their life-journey but also to actively participate, advise, guide and provoke consciences about everything, including via politics. In a similar way, Christians have also chosen (or are chosen) to walk in the path of God, be His ambassadors and thereby prove their godly responsibilities in the society both individually and collectively. They are ambassadors to challenge and encourage people to use their full competence for comparing values, including political values, and choose the best. A person will not be able to choose the best unless he is allowed to get involved with the fullness of his life in order to be able to use his full capacity. Asking Christians to leave their beliefs, consciences and experiences outside the political arena means “follow me blindly”. The western democratic lifestyle did not start with such a dictatorial behavior. It also cannot continue with a dominating manner that divides the society and creates favoritism or classism. The true followers of the God of the Bible should be averse to any troublesome philosophy that undermines justice, mercy, compassion, truth, or righteousness. The Bible says:</div>
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<i>And if a stranger lives with you in your land, you shall not oppress him. The stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God.</i> (Leviticus 19:33-34, MKJV)</div>
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The leadership that God manifests here through His followers is not a one-way authoritarian leadership that is based on conditional politics and favoritism which are threats to freedom and unity. It is rather a ruling method of cohesion that protects the rights of even strangers so that they can learn to appreciate openness, feel at home, relate to others peacefully, show love to their new society and work in harmony with people for the wellbeing of the society. But turning your back on God and His leadership leads to unhealthy relationships, including political relationships that threaten national unity. Sadly, this is increasingly common now in the West. </div>
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The whole purpose of life, including the political purpose, is only found in the God of the Bible. The followers of Christ are therefore not to ignore politics, especially in this dark political era. They need to get themselves involved, in one way or the other, and courageously put their faith in Christ into practice in order to transform any unjust or unethical political processes into a godly model based in humility which can create harmony among people and bring comfort to them. </div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-44308586783801366232016-04-30T23:32:00.000-07:002016-05-02T03:53:20.467-07:00The West Is No Longer Fit to Enjoy Peace<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
The West is in serious trouble with many roadblocks to harmony and peace. Peace cannot happen and be enjoyed unless there is a sound ideological reason behind the desires of people who crave peace. Peace means that you and your community are free from adversaries whose aims are systemic destruction. Not only do we not see such freedom at present, but the West has further adapted itself to a chaotic culture<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> that of multiculturalism, which has become toxic to both freedom and peace. </div>
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The voice of political correctness, the champion of multiculturalism, is louder and louder and present at every level of society, yet it is a poison to freedom and peace. Whether in schools, universities, government agencies and even in private organizations, people are afraid of naming this enemy for fear of losing their jobs or of other consequences. </div>
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While all western societies are in daily fear of Islamic terrorism, when one makes a fair criticism of multiculturalism it is labelled terrorism in Western societies. The West is no longer effective in pushing back this dire enemy of its people<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> On the contrary<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> it has become expert in silencing the voices of those who stand for what is right and for the peace and comfort of their nation. This is because multiculturalism has created fertile ground for many Western leaders to devalue democratic principles at the cost of their nations’ security and peace. They have turned their back on the Judeo-Christian values – values that champion the right of people to question the claims of their political and spiritual leaders. Not only this, God has said that the people even have the right to take their case to the most powerful and mighty God and to defend their stance against leaders, because they were created with freedom of choice.</div>
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Moses, as a spiritual and political leader, said:</div>
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<i>When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing does not follow nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.</i> (Deuteronomy 18:22, MKJV)</blockquote>
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The God of the Bible Himself says in the book of the prophet Isaiah:</div>
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<i>Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah.</i> (Isaiah 1:18a, MKJV)</blockquote>
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Multiculturalism was initially introduced to the West as idealogically compatible with democracy but<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> in practice, it has been undermining democracy. It is very obvious that<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">, </span>in the West, accommodating multiculturalism, even its most hostile expressions, has meant that society has increasingly rejected the ‘Prince’ of freedom with His sanctioned autonomy for all persons. Such autonomy is now illegal in many offices in the multicultural West. People are frightened to speak freely. Only certain people who publicly endorse the validity of multiculturalism are free to speak out against the majority view. “My way or the highway” as the saying goes. Many so-called supporters of democracy now keep quiet out of fear since the creeping giant of multiculturalism is in control of so many aspects of people’s lives and has opened the door for a legal way to punish and silence people for their opinions.</div>
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Is it possible to have peace without autonomy and freedom? Absolutely not. Fighting freedom is fighting peace too. Lack of freedom is bondage, whereas peace is freedom from the torment of bondage. The words “freedom, security and peace” are still used by many politicians. Yet, it is not because they are aiming to establish these qualities in society. Rather, they appeal to these notions as a temporary camouflage until people are made completely voiceless and made victims to these politicians’ guile and self-centeredness. </div>
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The reason that the giant West has fallen short in its confrontation with terrorism is because its freedom is under siege from within. Its leaders have turned their back on their nations’ cultures, but given sovereign power to the culture of bondage in the form of multiculturalism and even to its terrorizing ideologies that see freedom as poison. </div>
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No matter how thirsty a nation may become for peace, it will be impossible for it to achieve peace if its leaders are confused in the midst of many cultures and therefore unable to lead them through the maze of conflicting beliefs and values. The Bible teaches us a great lesson from a generation of Jews who were confused in the wilderness after departing from Egypt. They took a long and costly journey for freedom, peace and rest but were, for much of their journey, turning their back on the Prince of peace. That’s why God said to them:</div>
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<i>…. they have not known my ways. As I swore in my wrath, 'They shall not enter my rest.'</i> (Hebrew 3:10-11, KJV)</blockquote>
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While the Children of Israel loved their freedom from slavery<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> and the opportunity to become a sovereign nation and to find rest in peace from the hands of their slave-master, Egypt, they needed to learn obedience to the God of their Salvation. Instead, they missed it because their hearts and minds were not freed from their slave-master’s culture. They were heading towards the promised land of freedom, Israel, but their hearts and minds were running in the opposite direction back to Egypt, craving for the security of its bread which had previously yoked them. (Exodus 16:3)</div>
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This is the same story with our double-minded politicians in the West and of those who support them. They won’t enter peace and rest because they are yoked to multiculturalism and have themselves become roadblocks to peace and rest. After decades of daily terrorist attacks across the world, they are not only hesitant to reveal and name the enemy of their nations. Rather, they punish those who do speak out. They have formed alliances with the children of their nations’ enemies in the name of maintaining courteous international relations, even when such compromises are dangerous to their own nations’ safety. They have tried to establish peace with the help of countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran who, in practice, consistently demonstrate that they have contempt for peace, even supplying more than 80% of the funds that the terrorists use to destroy western values and interests around the world. Most leaders of Islamic countries are themselves abusing human rights, crushing freedom of speech and expression within their own countries. Just for criticizing his own religion<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> Islam, a young Saudi Arabian man was recently sentenced to 2,000 lashes and 10 years in prison. The cultures of these countries are warmly accepted in the West under the banner of multiculturalism. Leftists, radical feminists, and many others pushing for radical social reforms frequently speak out against Christianity whose founder is the Prince of kindness, peace and love. Yet they so often keep quiet or play at being conciliatory when it comes to Islam which has closed the door to peace in every aspect of life in Islamic lands and communities. In fact, Islamic leaders are singularly hostile to the ideas of those who want radical social reform – e.g. radical feminism, open homosexuality, etc . They warmly welcome Islam, the master of slavery across Islamic societies, but reject Jesus, the Master of peace.</div>
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We have an idiom that says, “You get in your spoon whatever you put in your soup.” This is the case with the West with its adoption of multiculturalism. As long as it continues to align itself with multiculturalism its spoon or cup will be full of restlessness. </div>
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The West needs Jesus to free it from its enemies’ coercions. Multiculturalism, of itself, does not have any outstanding framework for peace in order to create a pathway to peace and rest. Instead, it has confused people with its multiple culturally<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">-</span>based models, including those that are opposed to peace. A true pathway to peace never accommodates a terrorist person or ideology. Almost every chapter of the Quran is colored by the blood of non-Muslims, infidels, simply because they do not join Islam. It says that jihad (war) against non-Muslims is ordained by Allah for every Muslim (Q. 2:216); that those who join jihad are better than those who stay back and do not pursue jihad (Q.4.95). Despite its hostile doctrine and the hostility of its committed adherents, Islamic culture is now firmly embedded within western multiculturalism and the West is still calling Islam a peace-loving religion. </div>
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Almost all the leaders in Islamic countries, including the moderate ones, see western values and democracy as a threat to their despotic regimes. They hate multiculturalism in their own lands. Many of them spend huge amounts of money every year in one way or the other, to Islamize the West. Saudi Arabia is the forerunner in uprooting western civilization by funding and supporting Muslim ministries in the West and non-Islamic countries. Saudi Arabia does not allow a single Bible to be taken across its borders, but its embassies in Western countries are the centers of distribution for all kinds of Islamic books. </div>
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There is not a shred of evidence in the history of Islam or in our contemporary time whereby we can call Islam a religion of peace. Islam promotes war and hostility. Islamic leaders across the nations of Islam are not all ignorant in their interpretation of the Quran when they criminalize freedom. They know what is sacred in Islam and have accordingly allowed its values to rule against freedom in their regimes. It is indeed Western leaders who willfully want to misinterpret Islam. However, accepting Islam or any other unfriendly and hostile ideology as peace-promoting obliges western governments to include the principles of those beliefs within their own approach to peace and social cohesion. This therefore signifies the kind of peace the West aims for: a kind of peace that appeases Islamists and the leaders of Islamic nations, despite the evidence that flows out of their own cruel regimes. Clearly, it is impossible for the West to have peace while embracing the contradictions of multiculturalism. The West is in desperate need of Jesus, the Prince of Peace<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> in order to rest in true peace and become a light of peace to others across the globe<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-53243168461302469532016-04-03T01:34:00.000-07:002016-04-03T01:34:37.528-07:00You Can Still Hear the Voice: “Crucify Him!” (The metaphor of “Barabbas”)<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
There is still a dangerous discord in the air everywhere which reminds us of the old hateful chant “Away with this <i>man,</i> and release unto us Barabbas” (Luke 23:18, KJV)<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span> Subtly, the melody may be a bit different. If we want to put it into words it may seem like this: “Release unto us Jesus without His faith and values”. </div>
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Contemporary opposition to Christianity does not necessarily reject Jesus outright. Sometimes I hear in my conversations with the followers of western philosophical and political ideologies that Jesus was a good and respectful man in their opinion, and he did well in his time. Even a few communists have told me that Jesus was a good communist since he lived an egalitarian life with his disciples. So, many of these opponents of Christianity will welcome Jesus only if He can be aligned with the most recent, preferred ideological paradigms<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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The truth is that a Jesus without His eternal values is indeed ‘a Barabbas’ from the world with all his worldly problems. He is not the Jesus of the Gospel, but the Jesus of Gnosticism, Jesus of the Quran, Jesus of Mahatma Gandhi, Jesus of Humanism or even the Jesus of Yasser Arafat who was a bloodthirsty Muslim jihadi. In all these claims Jesus is only acceptable to serve the motives of individuals or groups in order to reject, vilify, persecute or kill Christians. In other words, it is a false Jesus who is eager to crucify the true Jesus time and again for His unconditional love, absolute holiness, true justice and pure righteousness. </div>
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History has demonstrated that the establishment of a false Jesus is a precursor to the persecution of true followers of Jesus Christ. Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, accepted Jesus as a prophet <i>only</i>, yet he sanctioned the persecution and death of Christians in the second stage of his life. The following is just one of many examples from the Quran:</div>
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<i>Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low. And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah, and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah. That is their saying with their mouths. They imitate the saying of those who disbelieved of old. Allah (Himself) fighteth against them. How perverse are they!</i> (Quran, Sura 9 verses 29 and 30)</div>
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Jesus was pronounced by Muhammad as one of the most respected prophets<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> but then Muhammad went on to discount the truth about Jesus recorded in the gospels hundreds of years earlier. This is because Muhammad wanted to convince his followers that Christians were perverted and thereby justify the killing of Christians. The English word “fight” in the two verses above is not “fight” in Arabic. It is “kill” or “ghatilou”. It asks Muslims to slaughter Christians for believing that Jesus is the Son of God. Christians may only be pardoned from execution by paying a humiliating ransom (jizya) every year and living as second class citizens in submission to the Muslim community. The equivalent of such a barbaric creed and action does not come from Jesus Christ whose Gospel does not have even a verse to command its follower to hate or persecute or kill others for the sake of their beliefs, no matter what. It is a sanction which can only be attributed to ‘a Barabbas’. Indeed, Islam’s acceptance of Jesus Christ means releasing ‘a Barabbas’, but crucifying Jesus Christ with His teaching and life values.</div>
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It is the same with all other individuals or groups who conditionally accept Jesus by rejecting His values or accepting some of His teachings but ignoring others. Their ultimate goal is to reject the true Jesus and persecute his followers. They want to discard the actual values of Jesus Christ or in other words, “Crucify Him.” Their acceptance is nothing but, “Give to us Barabbas” but cast aside Jesus<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span> Take Him to Calvary<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span> Crucify Him! Let His mind and heart disappear completely. It is not fitting that he should be allowed to live, given his requirement that his followers should love God one hundred per cent, humbly care for the rights of others, deal honestly with all people – an honesty that confronts hypocrisy and challenges political correctness – and<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> lastly<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> love justice – a justice that cherishes responsibility.</div>
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In today’s western world, children learn the irresponsible ‘Barabbas’ lifestyle from primary school through to the end of tertiary education. We learn more of it in the work place and, willingly or unwillingly, consciously or subconsciously, teach others that ‘Barabbas’ is what society needs. The truth that Jesus Christ taught does not fit in today’s lifestyle where truth is fluid. All ideas are acceptable as truth. You are conditioned to be a voice for mindless ‘Barabbases’ since the mind is not considered compatible with the dominant philosophy of evolutionary randomness<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span> Those who are absorbed in this philosophy of our times, raise their voices louder and louder against anyone who believes that we are created in such a way as to search for the best.</div>
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Our contemporary culture has become a culture for establishing people in self-centeredness and irresponsibility, like Barabbas, to ignore the consequences of the words they speak or the decisions they make. Those who wanted the criminal Barabbas to be released to them and the innocent Jesus to be killed didn’t give a responsible thought for the future of their children. They did not even know the real person, Barabbas, for whom they were standing. They were similar to our contemporary fellow men and women who also are madly absorbed in the Godless political milieu of our times. Blind compliance does not give them time to think deeply<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span> Instead it pushes them to do whatever leaders and influential opinion-shapers pressure them to do and to think. The crowd before Pilate not only insisted that Pilate kill Jesus and release the scandalous Barabbas in His place<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> they even proclaimed that they were ready to take the guilt of putting Jesus to death, if there be any, on themselves and on their children. (Matthew 27:25) They were fully blinded to such an extent that they never thought about what they were proclaiming. Their approval of crucifying an innocent person brought judgment on them and their children. Less than half a century later, a great number of their own children were crucified dreadfully by their Roman governors. Their cities and religious centers were ruined and the lives of thousands were lost because of shortages of food and shelter. </div>
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This is what we read and hear from the lips and preferences of people everywhere in the secular West: in educational centers, government offices, in election campaigns, in the media, in multicultural societies, in tyrannical societies, in national and international relations and strangely in some churches too: “Away with Jesus, release to us Barabbas”. </div>
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This worries us, as the followers of Jesus Christ, when we pause to consider the future of the children of these rebellious people who want Jesus Christ dead but ‘Barabbas’ free. They esteem the archetype of Barabbas highly, consciously or unconsciously, in the same way as does Islam, humanism, socialism, multiculturalism, homosexuality etc. They do this by ignoring, rejecting, hating or even terrorizing the voices of truth, yet, at the same time calling themselves civilized. As a result only certain individuals or groups are free to say whatever they like. </div>
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I was born in a despotic country where there was always a secret voice whispering in the ears of every child to watch his/her mouth when it came to speaking the truth. Even the god and prophet of Islam had taught us that we had to follow a corrupt leader blindly if he was in the service of Islam:</div>
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<i>Muhammad said: Striving in the path of Allah (jihad) is incumbent on you along with every ruler, whether he is pious or impious; the prayer is obligatory on you behind every believer, pious or impious, even if he commits grave sins; the (funeral) prayer is incumbent upon every Muslim, pious and impious, even if he commits major sins</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"><i>.</i></span> (Dawud, Book 14, Hadith 2527) </div>
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You just shut your mouth and follow Islam. Of course, it was not that easy for every one to digest everything, especially when a leader expected you to disrespect your parents for their lesser involvement in Islamic activities or to kill one of your family members for a similar reason. Or perhaps it required you to give your little daughter to a leader to become his provisional or fulltime wife or even divorce your wife so that he could have her. Some people are able to adapt themselves and live in all conditions, but not every one.</div>
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This is the plight of people who are living in closed countries under iron fists. Crucifying Jesus is easier there - as easy as drinking a glass of water. On the other hand, everybody there knows that the leadership is dictatorial; if a person wants to live, she or he has only two choices - keep quiet and live or flee. </div>
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However, it is heartbreaking to see these dictatorial attitudes emerging in democratic countries from presidents and prime ministers. Even from a worldly perspective, the leadership model of Jesus Christ, His relational values and ethics are uniquely the best in the world. But even the top leaders in the West have opened the door wide for the persecution of His sincere followers. Such leaders are seduced by ‘the culture of Barabbas’ and do not take time to at least think about the future of their own children. They don’t know that giving way to the destruction of truth may give way to the destruction of their own children, as it happened to the Jews in ancient times<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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Let those of us who understand the heart and mind of Jesus Christ act like Him in the midst of this darkened age. May we be ready to even be crucified in this world and so rise with Him in order that our truthful thoughts, words and actions might prevent the death of our generation and their children and<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> further<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> become the means of salvation now and for generations to come. Let us die to ‘the culture of Barabbas’ but rise to the culture of Jesus Christ.</div>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-14510102147780430622016-02-29T02:01:00.001-08:002016-02-29T02:01:27.754-08:00While the Mouth Broadcasts Peace, the Heart Plans for War!<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
Surely, across the world each day, the word ‘peace’ is spoken more often than so many other words. In Hebrew the equivalent word is ‘Shalom’ which was chosen to be used more than other words as a daily gesture of declaring peace with God and neighbors. Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, proclaimed the connection between his ministry and the ministry of Biblical prophets. He borrowed the word ‘Shalom’ (Salam in Arabic) to be a part of daily conversation among Muslims similar to its usage among Jews.</div>
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The word ‘peace’ is used copiously among Muslims in Islamic nations of the world. It is a way of greeting each other. More than a billion Muslims use the word ‘Salam’ any time they see each other, wishing peace for one another. Even the radical Muslims greet each other with the word ‘peace’<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">.</span></div>
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How could intolerance, discrimination, hostility and war grow increasingly among Muslims even though the word ‘peace’ has continually been the currency of their daily conversations? Why do Muslim nations have less peace with each other in comparison to other nations who do not use the word ‘peace’ daily as Muslims do? How could this most desirable peace be hard to achieve among Muslims even though it is declared more than a billion times a day? Is there anything hidden from the eyes of Muslims that does not allow their inclination for peace to be practical? </div>
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The majority of Muslims have a familiar, standard response to these questions. Most of our contemporary Muslims are brainwashed from childhood that it is America or Israel that has deprived them of having peace among themselves. Whatever happens in Islamic countries<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> the blame goes on Israel and America. Some people long for freedom, but leaders accuse them of spying for Israel or America. Any opponent to any leader is accused of Zionism or Americanization in Islamic countries. Even though I hated Israel while I was a political prisoner, I was still called a Zionist since I fell out of Ayatollah Khomeini’s favor. It has become a fashion among various Muslim sects to blame each other with being Israeli or western agents. </div>
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No Muslim has a chance to think deeper and to see that Muslims wouldn’t be hostile towards each other if they had a solid foundation in peace. The enemies of peace may have been able to disturb them from time to time<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> but would be unable to utterly destroy the peace among them if their religion was compatible with peace. Iranians have an idiom that says, <i>“If my dog was a good dog, jackals wouldn’t be able to hunt my chickens.” </i>In a similar way, if the peace in Islam was an authentic peace, it would shine <i>a</i>mong Muslims and would shield Muslims from their so-called enemies. But the peace in Islam has achieved more bloodshed than actual peace in the 1400 years of its history, even in the centuries when Israel and America were not present. The problem is at the root of Islam which gives more weight to lip service than truthful words. Muslims cannot achieve peace by just announcing the word ‘peace’ without a solid standard in true peace. Peace cannot be achieved without the leadership of the Prince of Peace Instead of searching for the Prince of Peace, Muslim leaders are rather busy with lip service, speaking softer words while their hearts are preparing for and in the service of war.</div>
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In the face of hostilities perpetrated by various committed Muslim groups in different parts of the world, some Muslims have been broadcasting that the word ‘Islam” means ‘peace’. They have been trying to convince people in the West that Islam is inherently against violence. </div>
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Anybody who understands a little bit of Arabic knows that the word ‘Islam’ has in no way any connection with the word ‘Salam’ which means peace. Islam means <i>submission</i> or <i>surrendering</i> which is the central focus of Islamic doctrine, calling all to surrender before establishing their belief in Islam. As the Quran states in sura (chapter) 49 verse 14 that <i>faith comes after surrender</i>. In other words, the world ‘Islam’ means such a surrender which leaves no chance for anyone to make an intelligent, willing decision.</div>
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Suppose the word ‘Islam’ meant <i>peace</i>; wouldn’t this shock people if they discovered that more than 60% of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, was about hatred, discrimination, belittling, hostility and bloodshed towards those who do not practice Islam or reject it? Wouldn’t then people have a right to call Islamists hypocrites? Imagine that more than 60% of a religion’s principles are about ignoring or denying the rights of others while it is still called the religion of peace! </div>
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The problem with Islamists is clearly expressed in the Bible: </div>
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<i>The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.</i> (Psalm 55:21, NKJV)</blockquote>
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As long as Islam is called a religion of peace, despite encouraging immature children to fight against their guardians (sura 9 verse 23); Muslims to kill their non-Muslim relatives and neighbors (sura 9 verse 123); and to kill non-Muslims for the sake of their beliefs (sura 8 verses 38-39), Muslims can neither have peace among themselves nor with others no matter how loudly they speak about peace. Hiding the truth about Islam is against peace in itself. This is where our politicians in the West have naively adopted the Islamists’ lie of calling Islam the religion of peace, thereby closing the doorway to peace. </div>
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How can we know the authenticity of a claim without referring to the ideology, belief or motivation behind it? Do people not deserve the opportunity to weigh up someone’s confession against the primary source of his beliefs and ethics, which supplies the food of his heart and shapes his relational values?</div>
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True peace must first start in the heart<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">,</span> not on the tongue. The vast majority of individual people groups in the world call themselves peaceful. The leaders of Communist China, Shiite Iran, Sunni Saudi Arabia, Russia, America, Europe, Africa and others all call themselves peace-lovers or peace-makers. All beliefs, including Islam, are called peaceful. Which of these nations can be trusted? Which mouth can be believed? It is a fact that what comes out of the mouth alone is not reliable evidence for assessing truth or falsehood. The very nature of ‘the mouth’ is its propensity for hypocrisy, pretending to have something which is not true. That’s why the truth about a thing cannot be measured by the words of a person’s mouth alone, unless we know the beliefs and standards that support those words. If a person’s beliefs sanction the idea that the end justifies the means or lying and deception are legitimate under some circumstances, the words of that person cannot serve the cause of truth or peace. </div>
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To have a belief in ‘truth’ is vital for everyone so that it can unite heart and mouth for thinking, talking and acting in truth and peace. Efforts have to be made in order to discover the truth; the truth that sets one free from every sin, including the sin of disunity between heart and mouth - namely hypocrisy. That’s why Jesus said:</div>
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<i>And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free</i>. (John 8:32, NKJV)</blockquote>
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-72268007789524647632016-02-11T20:48:00.000-08:002016-02-12T14:33:21.352-08:00Restless and Vocal until The Motherland is Liberated<div style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify;">
Someone has been praying, crying, longing and taking necessary steps for nearly 30 years for his motherland not only to receive the light of freedom, but also to shine. He would love to boast of his motherland one day honoring freedom of rights, speech and belief. He himself was terribly persecuted in his motherland and was very close to losing his life, but fortunately found a way to save his life and escape. </div>
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While tears poured from his eyes, he said that he had seen many lands more beautiful than his motherland in many parts of the world, but had missed her because of his family, friends and some good memories. He longs for the walls of separation and hostilities to be brought down in his motherland. Then people will experience in a practical way how beautiful a country can be if there is freedom in every area.</div>
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It is amazing that he calls his county of birth “motherland”, his mother’s land, even though it is an Islamic country ruled under the Islamic law. This phrase does not match Islam which gives less right to mothers than fathers. The father is the second ruler after the government in order to make sure that everything in his household is in line with Islam. He is called the <i>owner</i> of his wives (Quran 53:2), hence the mother is called the <i>property</i> of her husband. He can go everywhere he likes, but she is asked to sit at home quietly and not to go out (Quran 33:33). She brings children into the world, but does not have any right over her children if she is divorced. After the divorce she also does not have any right to visit her children who grew in her heart; children belong to their father. As an inheritance mothers receive only one eighth of their husbands’ wealth, including lands, in Islam. In such a restricting, harsh and masculine culture, it is amazing that a country is called the “Motherland”. </div>
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This word, like some other influential words, has been a powerful tool for many exiled Iranians, in particular Christians, to voice their longings to their fellow men and women. They have been writing poems and songs; reciting, singing and broadcasting them via every media channel they can in order to express their restlessness for their motherland. The mindset in Iran had never been Christianized under the rule of moderate kings as much as it is now under the rule of the tyrannical Islamic Republic of Iran. Just express your concern about your motherland in a poem and read it on a radio or TV program or put it on a website. It will shake many. </div>
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The word “motherland” is from the pre-Islamic era and it has remained in usage until now in Islamic countries. The ancient culture attributed the honor of ownership of the country to the most compassionate one in the family<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">,</span> the mother. Only a compassionate heart is able to cultivate and look after the land well.</div>
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In some other nations, countries are also called “Fatherland” because of the patriotic nature of their cultures<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; line-height: normal;">.</span> It encapsulates the way people can love their birth places and want to protect them from enemies. No matter what a birth place is called, it is a wonderful testimony of God that is left among various people groups whereby they can relate their birth places to the hearts of their parents in a loving way and care for their well-being. This will help them not to forget it as they do not normally forget their mothers and fathers. </div>
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Maybe the love for motherland or fatherland and a heartfelt devotion for its well-being are gifts from the Creator of the universe. Maybe He wanted to endow people with compassionate, earnest and tireless longing so that they could seek the best for their nations to the extent that their deliverance could also become the means of deliverance for others. As we say, “To be blessed is for blessing others.” </div>
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It is no wonder that the prophet Isaiah cries restlessly not only for the salvation of Jerusalem but also for her righteousness and salvation to shine like a burning lamp among others:</div>
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<i>For Zion's sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes out as brightness, and her salvation as a burning lamp.</i> (Isa. 62:1, MKJV)</div>
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These words reveal the height of Isaiah’s longing, prayer and mission for his land and nation to revive and further become the salt (righteousness) and light (burning lamp) for others. Not only did he want his nation to be liberated in spirit, but also to become a light of liberation for others.</div>
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Why would a person have a big picture in mind and a heart for his/her country and nation to become a bridge of blessing to other nations? Isn’t it enough to see that your own family, community or country has achieved success and is doing well? Why worry about the wellbeing of other nations?</div>
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<span style="font-family: arial;">Longing for true freedom, or having it</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> includes others too. True freedom can neither be limited by an individual’s nor a family’s nor even a nation’s motives; if it is limited, then it is not true freedom. When a heart becomes free, it changes and then spreads its light as a shining lamp to its surroundings. In a similar way, a city with freedom shines to other cities or a country to other countries. One reason that many people from various nations have been moving or desiring to move to the West is because of freedom in the West. True freedom is extraordinarily good and influential. It creates compassion or care in you and thereby enables you to see the miseries of others and to take initiatives for their liberty with the uttermost of your efforts, no matter who those others may be, friends or foes. It shines and changes people from all walks of life and makes them blessings to others too. So, any person touched by this freedom should not rest or become silent if his/her nation and others are experiencing any kind of darkness or misery. Any person should not rest or become silent until the splendor of his/her salvation reaches near and far. </span></div>
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As it was in Isaiah’s time, faith in the true God is misunderstood by many. The values of Christ are unknown or misunderstood and thereby are not given a chance to shine in many places. Ignorance and misunderstanding will not go away unless the values of Christ are made clear to the extent that they become lights for people at home and abroad. This will not happen unless the followers of Christ become compassionate towards those who are drowning in ignorance and confusion and help them to see and receive the light. One great hindrance to the Gospel is that we, as the followers of Christ, have retreated and do not feel restless for the darkness around us. The darkness will be removed if it becomes the subject of our continual prayers and efforts. </div>
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We are the vehicle of Jesus Christ’s sincere concern for our nation and others. He has called us to promote our position in Him and spread His light through our unceasing prayers, through our own individual mission and through encouraging others to take the light to coming generations until many take refuge in Him.</div>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-27251703430949504102015-12-20T22:23:00.000-08:002015-12-20T22:23:46.254-08:00The Victory of the Birth of ChristThe Bible teaches us that the reason for the birth of Jesus Christ is to destroy the dividing walls of Satan among people and to reveal the image of true peace so that people can truly be reconciled to one another and to God.<br />
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What are the dividing walls and where are they? There are many barriers - philosophical, doctrinal, social, political and moral and they are in every part of life. The mastermind behind all these dividing walls is Satan. For this reason, people need someone greater than Satan to destroy his hindrances and demolish the dividing walls and establish peace. People need the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, whom the Bible describes as “Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”.<br />
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Jesus is the only One who has overcome Satan and established justice victoriously in order to save people. The Bible describes His victory in amazing ways. Those who read the Gospel and discover His victory will put their trust in Him. They will no longer follow a man or even a prophet but Jesus, since victory belongs to Him only and peace and reconciliation cannot be achieved without Him.<br />
Jesus came to this world in order to establish peace in the hearts of people and make them what they were meant to be before the fall - being with God as members of His household. Then, every good thing will be given to them.<br />
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We can see how vital it is to teach the Gospel of Jesus nationally and globally. Let us therefore embody the goal of God in manifesting Himself in Jesus Christ and act as His special vessels until all the world, including our nations, hear that they cannot succeed unless they follow Jesus. Jesus was born into this world to save the lost.EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-33383408922320526432015-12-03T23:13:00.000-08:002015-12-03T23:13:48.991-08:00True Freedom Makes the World Panic!All Islamic countries (especially the radical ones), all communist countries and all leftists in western countries become nervous when someone desires to live in real freedom. This real freedom can only be found through looking deeply into life and at differences among beliefs, in order to embrace the best. It is amazing and mind blowing that billions of dollars are spent, thousands of people’s blood is shed and many are made homeless each year around the world in order to block the way for people to have freedom.<br />
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It is like a deadly poison to the leaders of Islamic countries, even to the most moderate ones, if you go to their countries and take an opportunity to talk about your non-Islamic belief. If they are moderate and decide to be a bit nice to you, they just deport you. Otherwise, they can keep you in prison for years and accuse you of spying in order to make their inhumane initiatives look remotely legitimate to civilized nations. They can kill you with monstrous hatred too. Pastor Hike Hovsepian in Iran was mysteriously stabbed 26 times, whereas he could have been killed with just one stab. They then left his body in the street to show that Christians’ freedom is a serious threat to their dictatorship. Freedom makes them panic more than anything else.<br />
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When it comes to Muslims freely taking advantage of the freedom available to them in non-Islamic countries, they seize it 100%. Otherwise they will be offended and adopt the pose of being victims of discrimination. Not only do they want full freedom for themselves abroad, but a ‘criticism-free’ freedom too. They don’t care that criticism and even self-criticism are inherent components of western freedom. That is why we see that Islamists in non-Islamic countries have continually been trying to silence their critics in order to spread their dictatorial Islam. For example, Saudi Arabia distributes millions of Qurans in non-Islamic countries each year, but a non-Muslim is not allowed to take his personal Bible to that country. The rulers of Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries are terrified that a Bible may fall into the hands of a Muslim, teach him true freedom and reveal the unjust constraints of a dictatorial leadership style. They know that when freedom comes, dictatorship must go. That’s why the word “freedom” terrifies them.<br />
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The central motive of all Islamic terrorist groups in the world is that there are some people in the world who love freedom and may become a challenge to the spread of Islam’s tyrannical leadership in the future. According to the Quran, freedom lovers must be terrified since there is no option given to any man or woman to express their opinion concerning Allah’s and his prophet’s decisions in the Quran. (Sura (Chapter) 33:36; also read Sura (Chapter) 8)<br />
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It is interesting to note similarities under Communist regimes. Communist theory regards the West’s cherished idea of the freedom for individuals to have a right to individual expression, ownership and wealth as anathema. Individual autonomy does not make sense in communist theory since the force of nature runs life randomly. A creative freedom, therefore, is nothing but a blocking enemy or a thesis that necessitates revolution through an anti-thesis. The real reason behind the establishment of the Berlin wall was to stop the flow of western freedom to the East which was in close proximity. Communism had to be protected from freedom. The destruction of freedom is the initiating step of Communism. The advanced Communist community must therefore be perpetually protected against freedom. That’s why everybody in a Communist country is under pressure to spy on others and to report if there is any hint of desire for freedom. If you know but do not report, then you are in trouble.<br />
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This is exactly what happens in most Islamic countries, in particular the radical ones like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.<br />
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We also see hostility towards freedom and criticism in the midst of western societies by those who hate to be challenged. They get very nervous especially when you convey to them the words of Jesus Christ who says that it is the knowledge of the truth which sets people free. (John 8:32) They hate the knowledge of the truth since it threatens the underlying, but false, personal securities they have gained from investing in untruth. That’s why they hate freedom and even become vicious when someone speaks about it.<br />
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In most cases, the enemies of freedom have demonstrated that it was the threat to their own personal fortune, power or status that was the real cause of their panic and hatred towards freedom and freedom lovers, rather than their beliefs or ideologies.<br />
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During the thirteen year period when Muhammad, the prophet of Islam was not famous but a middle class Meccan money earner, he was peaceful. He even attended a church with his wife, just as some of our presidents and prime ministers do before elections. He referred to the Bible, in the hands of his contemporary Christians and Jews, <i>as the light</i> for people. The pinnacle point of his message at that time was “no compulsion in religion.<br />
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But that scenario changed after Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina, became a statesman and made a fortune. It was then that he forbade criticism (Quran 33:36) and outlawed the existence of any other religion and furthermore sanctioned that a pious Muslim had to be known to everyone as a terrorizing person (Quran 9:123). He even replaced some old verses of the Quran, which were barriers to his newly adopted anti-freedom ethics, and replaced them with new ones in order to legitimize his harsh attitudes and thereby safeguard his dictatorial fortune, power and status. So, practically, his beliefs became of secondary importance to him after gaining his fortune.<br />
The history of Islam is full of this kind of shocking and capricious leadership style when leaders changed even the most sacred beliefs of Islam to protect their fortunes or their power. One example is the changing of the prayer direction from Jerusalem to Petra in Jordan by Muhammad, and then after his death the shift from Petra to the present Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It is still the same among Muslim leaders. The Quran in verses 21 and 22 of its chapter 5 says that Israel belongs to Jews forever. In verse 104 of chapter 17 it also says that even scattered Jews will be brought to their promised land. But Muslim leaders do not care about their Quran’s sanction of the rights of Jews over Israel. This is because hostility towards Jews has created fortunes for them and will do the same for their children and grandchildren.<br />
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Mao Tse-tung, Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Fidel Castro and their peers in Communist countries were and are the same. They too didn’t/haven’t cared much about the altruism in their Communism which was initially adopted for their nations to prosper. They all displayed very generous motives and intentions at the beginning declaring how they would invest their lives for their nations. That generosity came to an end when they became powerful.<br />
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Initially, people trusted their Communist saviours, joined them and opened the door for them to triumph. After, having experienced Communism, people have realized that it had not worked in the way they anticipated. Some decided to try something else, but were viciously killed despite still calling themselves Communists. History has never forgotten the many Communists, as well as others that were slaughtered by Stalin. If the ideology was a priority, they wouldn’t have wanted to kill their Communist peers for their criticisms. Rather, they would have acted as real Communists, gone to the corporate body of Communism, the working class or proletariat, taken a secret ballot and acted accordingly. They didn’t, because the ideology did not matter for them any more as much as their fortune and status did.<br />
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The ideology itself was also impractical to these infamous Communist dictators of history. Had they followed their ideology with integrity, their actions would have served the needs of the people rather than being ruthlessly self-serving. As a result, their regimes were based on egotism and were thus hostile to freedom. Their foreign policies were also centered on hostility to freedom, especially the western style of freedom that values time and life. If anyone from their lands took refuge in a western country, they would do everything to get rid of that person, fearing that s/he would reveal the weaknesses of the regimes in their homelands.<br />
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Opposition to freedom in western countries is also nothing more than a channel for safeguarding personal agendas and fortunes. That’s why some socialists have become millionaires in the West despite the inconsistency of that with the principles of socialism. They have learned how to make money and live by the motto:“Look like a socialist, live like a capitalist”. It is risky even if their own socialist peers criticize them. Some leftists have sacked their own leftist friends who challenged them ideologically. “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” is a documentary that reveals how vicious some leftists can be even towards their own leftist peers who dare to challenge them. The very principle of socialism “the end justifies the means” is turned back on its own adherents. Interesting!<br />
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So the ideology (socialism, atheism, secularism or others) is not a big deal for these enemies of freedom. However, the fortune they have made is! They use the ideology just for mischievously caricaturing their critics or opponents in order to promote uncertainty in their opposition, and allegiance to themselves, so that they can penetrate and dominate. From there they dominate and their domination must continue with recklessness and without any challenge, hence silencing critics and opposition. In other words, the ideology was used to create a market of fortune for them, a fortune that even friends cannot challenge now.<br />
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Unfortunately, the West has become a place of fortune for everybody with every kind of belief. The most hostile belief has also made its nest in the West and now has the opportunity to destroy it. Multiculturalism in the West has opened the door for Socialists, Communists, Islamists and other minorities to reject their obligation to uphold freedom of rights (a core value of the West) in order to follow their own aggressive and unfair agendas. Now, more or less every practice of every group is valid, irrespective of how brutal or abusive it may be, since it is legitimate in that particular group’s culture or belief.<br />
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Multiculturalism has given sovereignty to almost every practice in the West. But this has been ridding the West of its own Judeo-Christian values which, in a great many cases, lie at the heart of western freedom. This outcome has produced great passivity among rank and file people so that opportunists can take over and be hostile to freedom lovers. This is what we get now. The arrows of the opponents of freedom are in the ‘western air’ even before we say a word in favor of freedom. Freedom lovers are called haters, fascists or Nazis by the children of multiculturalism and have been even attacked physically by them.<br />
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Why would an atheist or socialist or Islamist call a sincere Christian a ‘hater’ since hating is a sin in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? But hate is legitimate in the beliefs of contemporary secular ideologies? History has demonstrated that attributing bad names to others is a sign of invasion or destruction that is about to happen. Late in his life, Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, called Christians and Jews animals and the worst of beasts in order to pave the way to destroy them. That’s what he did and butchered many like animals. Today, in any Islamic country (but especially in a radical one), if a Muslim is labeled <i>‘Americanized’, ‘westernized’</i>, it means that his or her life is under a serious threat. This is, more or less, true in Communist countries too.<br />
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Multiculturalism has allowed all hostile cultures to penetrate and gain a strong foothold in the West. In Iran, Saudi Arabia or Malaysia you have only one enemy to your freedom – Islam. In communist countries the single enemy to your freedom is Communism. Thanks to multiculturalism, the enemies of freedom are from every corner of the world and have been brought to the West to root out freedom. Now the enemies of freedom are everywhere in the West preparing the way for multicultural hostilities. They are in our educational centers too. Even our youth in schools and universities are learning how to hate those who do not think or believe their way. Educational centers were originally built to be the places of higher understanding, tolerance, exchanging ideas, engagements and creative dialogues, but now are reduced to be the places of intolerance and hatred towards freedom of speech.<br />
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How do we handle these invasions and hostilities?<br />
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There are two ways for us to deal with the enemies of freedom; either we become worldly, as they are, compromise with their desires and receive their friendship, or, we stay honest to our faith in Christ and pay the price - since there is no benefit in having the world but losing eternal joy. Two thousand years ago, our Master saw our days and told us:<br />
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<i>If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, the servant is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they have kept My saying, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.</i> (John 15:18-21, MKJV) </blockquote>
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We cannot expect better things from the world since it does not know Jesus and does not have the joy of His freedom. Also, we cannot persuade people with truth if we are of the world and do not speak truthfully. Therefore, we need to rejoice in our freedom in Jesus Christ which is the power for our triumph over hatred and hostility.<br />
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Secondly, we need to stand on our heavenly identity and not invest our time and money for hatred or a worldly fortune, as worldly people do. We are fortunate that we are enabled to bear the hatred of the world, while not being like the world by responding to hatred with hatred.<br />
<br />EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-82040887804541072522015-11-04T23:18:00.000-08:002015-11-04T23:24:46.685-08:00When Conscience is SuppressedThe last two decades have been an amazing journey for me in my encounter with people from diverse ideological, political, national and ethnic backgrounds. I have identified some key forces that form an obstacle to conscience having a voice in individuals. Lack of understanding or insight is the major obstacle to conscience’s voice, but other hindrances include fear, false pleasure, anger and hatred. Not many are able to realize that awareness is the key to freedom. Without awareness of truth, people violate their consciences and deprive themselves, their families and societies of the fruits of the truth, real peace and comfort. We will experience relief from anything that aims to keep us captive if we educate ourselves concerning what is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and if we listen to the voices of our consciences.<br />
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Conscience, which the Bible describes as God’s law written in the hearts of all individuals (Romans: 2:14-15), is an amazing agent. It that stands up for truth in our inner beings, but only if it is given a chance. I sometimes hear people say that conscience can be dead in some people. But, conscience can only be silenced if it has no voice at all. Fortunately, it never becomes deaf and its voice never dies. It can surface at any moment when the blocking means disappear and the mind and heart start to function as they were intended. If the conscience was deaf and dead, the Gospel of Jesus Christ would never ask us to address our message of hope to the consciences of people:<br />
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<i>But [we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. </i>(2 Corinthians 4:2, KJV)</blockquote>
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Our continual contact with people in declaring God’s truth is warranted because their consciences are alive and able to hear. Thereby, we hope that one day they will listen to us freely, become courageous enough to remove the limitations on their hearts and minds, allowing their consciences to gain freedom and be vocal for the truth. It is the strong voice of a conscience that breaks through the darkness of ignorance and paves the way for a soul to enthrone the truth in that person’s heart.<br />
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The whole concept of the absolute truth would be irrelevant and foolishness to a mind or heart apart from a conscience. But the truth will reveal its full beauty to every soul the moment the conscience is involved in listening, evaluating and decision-making. God has built conscience into humanity as a witness for Himself so that every person can carry a measuring tool in him/herself to distinguish truth from falsehood (Romans 2:14-16). A person will not be able to understand the truth and have a proper definition of it without a conscience. Therefore, a willful decision to disassociate conscience is a degradation of one’s mind and heart.<br />
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This is what we are face-to-face with in our contemporary societies in the West. Many are representing themselves as beings without a conscience; like a machine which knows no moral imperative and no boundary between truth and falsehood. For them, truth and falsehood are not fixed; everything is regarded as valid. The notion of truth these days is taken to be a part of a fluid, evolutionary and politically correct culture, reinventing itself continually and marching ahead without an absolute identity, anchor point or direction. This changeable and unpredictable post-modern ‘truth’ is not able to define things as they are. Instead, it is a part of a relative culture that promotes fantasy in order to get people involved in establishing and celebrating falsehood. It has become a bridge for opportunists to penetrate and spread ignorance in order to have their way.<br />
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Not many are aware that it is this capricious version of truth which has enabled many people to be lazy and unproductive and to establish their own parties with a leadership philosophy that relies on the income of others to finance their laziness. This is what is happening in most western countries where taxes have been progressively soaring higher in order to prop up unproductive leaders and people. The USA, once a productive and good role model in the West, has now become a bad role model where businesses are closing down and leaving, but to which consumers are migrating. The entire non-western world now desires to migrate to the West and benefit from unemployment benefits and other social security allowances without acknowledging that this will inevitably turn into social insecurity by the flood of immigrants. The West, which once prospered via true leadership and a strong positive work ethic will soon suffer the consequences of its relative truth, its situational ethics and its pragmatic relativist leadership.<br />
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Real truth cannot be fully workable in a nation unless that nation is deeply connected to God as the absolute source of truth. Godlessness hasn’t been a good choice for the West. Turning one’s back on God is, in the final analysis, turning one’s back on oneself. Many in the West have turned their backs on themselves, suppressed their own consciences and confused themselves with false ideas about almost everything. Godlessness has clouded the minds and hearts of people to such an extent that they do not believe that things surrounding them can be known deeply. Therefore, everything is presented with an underpinning ideological delusion, a postmodernist philosophy which embraces everything that rids people of their capability and capacity to discover the key factors of success for their lives. ‘Success’, in this context, does not make sense when the nation is confused. The West will therefore, in the longer term, ultimately lose the ‘success’ it has created through the years if it does not rescue itself from this contemporary post-modern confusion.<br />
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Jesus Christ is the solution for the confused West. The failure of the West must break the heart of every follower of Jesus Christ since great prices were paid for the establishment of truth and freedom in the past. There is a great responsibility on our shoulders as the followers of Jesus Christ to reveal the forgotten truth and rescue the West from the captivity of confusion and ambiguity. The truth can give freedom only to those who are given reasons to free their consciences, their hearts and minds in order to be able to compare, understand and make healthy decisions. How are they able to learn this if Christians are busy with shallow things and not ready to touch minds, hearts and consciences? The Gospel of Jesus Christ is right when it says:<br />
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<i>How shall they hear without a preacher?</i> (Romans 10:14c, KJV)</blockquote>
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We need to discover every possible and ethical channel for proclaiming the solutions of Christ to our perplexed societies. It is not helpful to speak about problems without having clear solutions and without laying the foundation for people to hear and understand constructive remedies for their problems.<br />
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EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-61809178005945910882015-10-02T18:17:00.001-07:002015-10-02T18:17:28.835-07:00The Market of the Antichrist Is BoomingWhen our country falls into the hands of a leader who suppresses our rights, beliefs and speech, Christians are supposed to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, stay faithful, stand their ground and not surrender. However, many Christians are not only surrendering but becoming vessels of torture of Christ and the true followers of Christ.<br />
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Those historical figures who took brave and sacrificial initiatives and started the Protestant movement were aiming to break the bondage of dictatorial religiosity or theocracy so that ordinary people could read, evaluate and make personal decisions. They encouraged Christians to take personal initiative in order to discover for themselves the reasons for their faith in Christ and why Jesus was the only Way, Truth and Life. This resulted in a new intellectual freedom, the discovery of previously censored treasures of life in Jesus Christ and, ultimately, cultural enrichment. Consequently, in the West, that freedom became a catalyst for producing the best of values for society. As a result, quality of life for the great majority began to improve; the rule of law became more democratic, and creativity, productivity and prosperity became the hallmarks of western societies. It was the qualities of Christ-like living and the Protestant work ethic that caused western societies to flourish.<br />
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However, new intellectual movements like Communism and Darwinism emerged and challenged the Christian foundations that had been laid. Both movements embraced relativism and the doctrine of chance. They rejected pre-existent absolutes and challenged the need for any religion, but particularly Christianity, and its foundations on absolute truth. Evolutionary theory that was embraced by Marxist Communism rejected the existence of God as the Creator. Without the need for a god, man was in full control. But the capacity for humans to make decisions in their best interests could not be guaranteed without centralized control. Social order was about a ‘struggle’ for the equitable distribution of wealth. Human existence was like a machine for them. With the abolition of religion, freedom vanished in these countries and economies suffered. Though Communist leaders claimed at the beginning to be committed to establishing a better life for their citizens, that was soon abandoned. Freedom of choice was restricted and people were exploited for economic purposes. For those who challenged the new order, persecution or death was the solution.<br />
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In contrast to the Communist vision, the free-market economy in the West has been able to produce a society where employees have shares and participate in the distribution of the revenue of companies. They enjoy protection through insurance and health benefits. They can invest in retirement funds and, for a significant majority, own their own homes. Western societies reward creativity, initiative and effort that have been the building blocks of success in businesses and organizations. So the West has progressively and consistently prospered, largely because of underlying Christian beliefs and values. Those values and that prosperity has, in turn, become a blessing to the poor in the world who have experienced aid and relief and healthcare and education, mainly from western governments, businesses, organizations and individuals – many of them Christian. Meanwhile, communist countries have gone backwards on almost every measure.<br />
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Many influential relativist leaders in the West also hold the view that there are no absolutes. Their influence has been so persistent that <i>relativism</i> has now become the dominant mindset in western society. The most prominent relativists press their ideas on society at every opportunity. Logic and reason have not consistently been their tools. Rather, the pragmatism of <i>‘the ends justifying the means’</i> has been the instrument by which they have gained the upper hand. Integrity and transparency have become casualties of misrepresentation and deception. Even though they may be relatively few in number, they have had significant influence in government, education, entertainment and media. Incrementally, they have brought about changes in legislation that reflect a significant decline in the Christian influence that once guided law-makers. Whereas Christian beliefs have historically underpinned the legal framework of harmonious, freedom-loving societies for many centuries, there is already evidence mounting that the way of <i>relativism</i> will require a serious loss of freedoms for people with strong religious beliefs, particularly Christians.<br />
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This is the situation in the West now. The relativists are now the most powerful group and are fighting tooth and nail to erase the historic bases of values that have proven themselves to be the most enduring and attractive in the whole world. These relativists have proven by their words and actions that they are opposed to Christ – ‘antichrist’. Increasingly, they are funding their war against traditional Christian beliefs and values with the support of taxes that, ironically, are provided by a population that, according to research data, is nominally 75% Christian. It is worth noting that Christian defenders of freedom have either been silenced, sacked, jailed or even required to undertake psychiatric treatment in hospitals. Tragically, these antichrists have Christian supporters too. But, when appraised against the clear message of the Bible, there is no doubt that these Christians are far from what Christ desires them to be. In effect, their undiscerning role is significant in making the enemies of the Bible much stronger.<br />
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Why aren’t these anti-Christian militants satisfied with the multitudes of non-Christian supporters who are fully in their service? Why do they want to enlist Christians into their campaigns as well? How would the presence of Christians make a difference to their mission?<br />
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The Antichrist’s (Satan’s) major enemy is Jesus Christ. For this reason, he loves to attract followers of Jesus Christ who can be easily fooled and used to help erode Christian values. The Antichrist is well aware that an enemy can penetrate an army much more effectively when there are some insiders (traitors) who favor the enemy. No antichrist can be confident against an army (followers of Jesus Christ) who use their consciences to weigh things and distinguish between good and bad, right and wrong, honour and deceit. Conscience can never be sanctioned by the Antichrist since his main weapons are blind obedience, indifference, negligence or the compromise position of political correctness. The followers of Christ are the only group who are called to use their consciences and encourage others to do the same. The Gospel says:<br />
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<i>We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor adulterating the Word of God, but by the revelation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's <b>conscience</b> in the sight of God.</i> (2Corinthians 4:2)</blockquote>
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Pragmatism, not conscience, is top of the list in an antichrist’s code of conduct. This means that any non-Christian or unethical compromise is a legitimate strategy for reaching one’s goal. The relativist antichrist therefore welcomes any Christian who is ready to justify some of the beliefs of the enemy such as same-sex marriage or abortion in order to make them acceptable to entire Christian communities, especially the next generation. This is the pathway to changing a whole community’s culture. The relativist never tells Christians that his ultimate goal is the destruction of the values of Christ. He rather introduces himself deceptively as a truly democratic and tolerant person. In this way, he rolls out his plan until the overwhelming majority bow to him. He will not give up his deception and lies, even if one group remains that does not bow to him, because full power and control is his ultimate goal. Every lie and deception he manages to enshrine in legislation in the West gains power for him. We clearly see how his antichristian values are progressing in the West and the result? The gradual but sinister destruction of freedoms – freedoms of expression, of association, of belief, of conscience, of choice in education, of rights of parents, etc.<br />
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The major reason that freedoms are being incrementally eroded in the West is because of the dominance of relativists in the affairs of western countries. Their claim of <i>protecting</i> freedom is superficial. However, it is not central to their agenda. They are the best of deceivers. Even the best leaders in the West get involved in the political correctness these opponents of Jesus perpetrate. For example, they naively support Islamist plans, or even madrasas that teach subversive fundamentalism. In doing so, they foolishly risk the security of their own nations and the rights of their own citizens. At the same time, they preside over the erosion of freedoms for Christians. Why? Because Christians have not been strong enough in their stand for Christ. They have been deceived by the rhetoric of the relativists and become unable to discern, let alone defend, their rights. Christians have been manipulated into allowing Christian values to be shackled. Some have even allowed themselves to become the perpetrators of injustice and persecution of fellow (true) believers in Christ.<br />
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The Antichrist is well aware that the torturing of a follower of Jesus Christ by a Christian is more painful than by a non-Christian adversary of Jesus Christ. Jesus has already expressed the depth of such pain to us. He was heartbroken when one of His own followers, Judas Iscariot, cooperated with the politically correct leaders of the day, who called themselves godly, yet tortured Him mercilessly. Jesus said of Judas:<br />
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<i>He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me. </i>(John 13:18) </blockquote>
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Judas not only brought about destruction in his own life, but also facilitated emotional and physical pain for Jesus and His disciples. This is a lesson from the Gospel for us - avoid any collaboration with politically correct people who serve the Antichrist. Again Jesus said,<br />
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<i>And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will become cold.</i> (Matthew 24:12) </blockquote>
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His comment here was about the future followers of Christ - including us – and we must be diligently on guard so that we do not become a fulfillment of these prophetic words<br />
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Satan knows that the love of truth is the personal characteristic of Jesus Christ. He also knows that if Christians become cold and do not enter a personal life with Jesus Christ to have an intimate relationship with Him, not only will they be unable to follow His values, but they may also be duped into acting in an un-Christ-like and unethical way, thereby making life difficult for the real followers of Jesus. Therefore, those Christians who unthinkingly cooperate with politically correct leaders are open to becoming cold in their love for Christ, thus pleasing the Antichrist.<br />
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Recently Ted Cruz, a well-respected conservative American Senator, who is also a Christian, said in his flimsy defense of a Christian lady, "When President Obama resigns, then we can talk about Kim Davis". (Kim Davis is a Christian clerk in the State of Kentucky who refused to issue a marriage license to same-sex couples and was therefore jailed by the judge of the area for not following the federal law.)<br />
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Would America be really better if President Obama resigns? It is hard to believe this, since many Christians have aligned themselves, consciously or unconsciously, with the dominant culture that is driven by political correctness and President Obama certainly appears to be a leader who embraces such a norm. In recent months, several Christian presidential nominees, including Ted Cruz, were provocatively asked whether they would attend a gay wedding. One said that he would if the gay person was a member of his family. Another said that it would be a violation of his faith. But Ted Cruz’s excuse was that he had not faced such a circumstance and therefore did not respond. If Christians like Ted Cruz and others showed courage, were not afraid of risking their reputations for Christ and were willing to speak about their faith boldly, people like Obama would need to be far more discerning and respectful given that they are leaders of a country with more than 75% Christians.<br />
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Every committed Christian knows the beginning of Romans chapter 12 in the Gospel which says:<br />
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<i>I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.</i> (Romans 12:1-2) </blockquote>
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Christians in leadership must be prepared to apply these strong words to their public lives.<br />
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While there is a golden opportunity for many Christians to stand firmly for their position in Christ and speak biblically, they say “it depends.” When it came to abortionists they did not use biblical reasoning to help people understand that a limitless freedom is the cause of disaster. Now, not only abortion is legalized, but mothers can even find ways to sell the parts of their aborted babies. This is the result of indifference, silence or the unwise stand of many Christians. As the seed of indifference, silence or political correctness has the capacity to produce unlimited chaos, ruin a society and create a fortune for antichrists, so a seed of courage has actually more capacity to enlighten that society with the truth. If we do not stand for the truth boldly, the untruth will rule over us.<br />
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You either need to stay with Jesus and be victorious, OR be a champion of silence, indifference, political correctness and fear, or a double-minded person, thereby making antichrists prosperous. Freedom in the West is based on the suffering and blood of Christians who understood its significance and payed the price. Because of them we have freedom, not because of those whose '<i>end justifies every kind of means'</i>. We must therefore honor their courage and do the same no matter the cost. <br />
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America’s major problem, therefore, is not Obama or others who openly oppose the values of Christ. The problem is the cold love in Christians who do not know how to please God nor to pursue what <i>the renewal of mind and heart </i>means. That’s why many Christians, including church elders and pastors representing almost every denomination, supported the election of Obama, notwithstanding his open non-Christian stand on same-sex marriage and abortion and his pragmatic support for terrorist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas who have created chaos in Egypt, resulting in the slaughter of many Christians.<br />
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The church in America, as in other western countries, is not mature and therefore not ready to pave the way for a godly person to rule over this nation. The only message of many churches is ‘Salvation’ or the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’. Of course salvation of humanity is the central point of Jesus Christ’s mission, but His salvation is not just a spiritual salvation. It is a salvation from the Antichrist’s political, social and moral chaos in this world. In other words, salvation necessitates a truthful and courageous life in this world. If a truthful life for God did not matter in this world, then it would not be necessary for Him to reveal Himself to humanity. He could just save people with a bang without showing Himself to us on earth as the role model of life. Salvation is about the whole of life not just the kingdom of heaven. Satan was forced out of heaven. He must also be cast out of our hearts in every corner of our life on this earth. We must stand for Christ in every circumstance, sacrificially and with reason. The reason that Christ overcame Satan at the cross was meant to deal with his evil influence in every aspect of our lives. That’s why churches need to be the universities of Christ and teach His truth about everything, including leadership, culture, economy, ethics, (all in comparison with other belief systems) so that people may come to understand with reason what to follow and what to reject. If we do not teach our people to understand the best leadership values for our world and we do not prepare righteous leaders for our societies, of course people like Hussein Obama of America or Malcolm Turnbull of Australia will become leaders in our countries and oppose or restrict Christians. If we were mature Christians, America, Australia and the West would be much healthier societies than we are now. Non-Christian leaders are succeeding because we are sliding back in our mission for heaven and becoming self-centered and undiscerning. Secular relativists are targeting our zealous brothers and sisters in Christ because we are cooperating with their agendas at the cost the truth.<br />
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Compromising the truth grieves Christ and lets down His followers. Keeping silent toward the presidents and prime ministers who love their jobs more than the laws and rights of their people is as if we were torturing Christ all over again. Jesus Christ did not keep quiet towards the injustice of the leaders of his time. If He had, it would have become a torture to the Father’s heart. He spoke out and taught how an unjust, non-loving and proud leadership would end in destruction. He revealed everything so that His followers would stand behind a humble leader, not behind those who sacrifice humility for personal gain and who reject Him and persecute His followers. <br />
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I have been shocked time and again by the number of Christians who have said to my face that president Obama is a follower of Christ. Recently I was in a church where a school teacher approached me and said that he still believed that Obama was a Christian. I reminded him of the simple measuring tool of the Gospel that says a person is known by his fruits. I asked him what about the president’s support for abortion and same sex marriage? His response echoed strangely as if Christianity needed a reformation to tolerate everything.<br />
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This man, a teacher, a member of an evangelical church, did not understand that the Bible was given to us not to be changed but to change us so that we would be able to understand what the best role model or standard is. He had no idea that Satan loves Christians to ignore the teaching of their Bible and make up their own ill-considered religion. They have forgotten what happened to the Israelites when ‘they did what was pleasing in their own eyes’. Satan loves every religion that strips Jesus of His holy identity. Satan is not against religion. Nor is he against churches. Why? Because a church can go astray and unwittingly fall into his service. Satan is against Jesus and His truthfulness. He knows that Jesus never compromises the truth and further builds His church and kingdom with those who follow in His footsteps and do not compromise. That’s why Satan acts in exactly the opposite way to Jesus and builds his kingdom with those who compromise the truth.<br />
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History demonstrates that there is a strong link between Christianity and freedom in the West. It also illustrates very clearly that antichristian movements in countries like Cuba, Russia, China and similar socialist countries have diminished the value of human life and blocked the capacity for human initiative and creativity. The winner in these countries has been the Antichrist, not people. We in the West have also personally experienced how relativist and politically correct leaders, who call themselves civilized and democratic, have blocked the way to truth and allowed some minorities to impose themselves on others. May we Christians wake up and prevent America, Australia and other countries from sliding more and more into inhuman policies, thereby inadvertently prospering the Antichrist because of our foolishness and indifference. It is time to speak louder and bring the walls of the Antichrist down. It is time to pave the way for the coming King, Jesus Christ.<br />
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-82345586535848149062015-09-09T01:38:00.000-07:002015-09-09T01:38:11.552-07:00“Word” That Overcomes WarWouldn’t it be comforting if a word or several words had the power to stop wars and protect or rescue people from the losses and bloodshed of war and from the wounds that war leaves behind for decades and centuries? I remember the cry of a man over the dead body of his younger brother who was shot dead by a religious guard in Tehran,Iran, because of his opposition to Ayatollah Khomeini. The older brother was crying loudly, humbly looking around and to heaven, expressing his heart-melting words and saying: “Isn’t there anything, anyone to extinguish the fire of hostility?” Almost all the people who were watching him and his powerless family were touched and tears poured from their eyes.<br />
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History is full of cries like this. Our contemporary world is also full of this cry because of terrorism and religious, ideological and sectarian wars. These cries have become so heart-melting since many of the great leaders of our time, who call themselves civilized, also fuel the hostility with their political correctness and thereby add more to the pains of people.<br />
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Is there anyone, any word or anything that can change the moral standard of this world and teach peace, real peace, to people, to tyrants, to victims and to those who watch with hardened hearts?<br />
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It is amazing that everybody cries for help when crime raises its head. Even the cruelest person cries for forgiveness and reconciliation when he is confronted with hostility and war. There are people in our world who embrace war and bloodshed; there are also people who hate war. Yet history has demonstrated that people from both groups eventually yearn for something to put an end to bloodshed and war.<br />
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Saddam Hussein was one of those who had a passion for war. He never extended compassion to people – not to his Sunni Arab compatriots nor to his Shia Arabs opponents nor Kurds nor Turks - no matter their sects. He even manifested his smiles through the channel of his cruel dictatorship to the extent that even his smiles evoked fear. He was hoping to bring back the dictatorship of ancient Babylon so that all surrounding nations would prostrate themselves to him. Even he, who did not know what mercy was, pleaded for mercy after his rule collapsed. I watched his defenses in the Iraqi court as much as I could. I saw him who was very quick to kill his opponents in very vicious ways beseeching compassion. His last minute of crying to the new Iraqi government guards is unforgettable. He was trying to touch the hearts of the guards, who did not have any legal power to release him, begging them that an Arab should not kill another Arab. He was endeavoring to convince them that they were Arabs, he himself was an Arab and they therefore needed to give up killing him. A man who always boasted in his power and arms; never allowed his conscience to be vocal about the rights and lives of others, was himself now begging and hoping that his humble words might persuade the consciences of his adversaries to let him go. Wow!<br />
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History is full of such experiences. They teach us that hatred, discrimination and hostility in our lives may devour our enemies at first but then they devour us and our own families too. History also teaches us the effects of kindness, tolerance and self-sacrifice. It reveals to us that nothing is better than loving and respectful words which are able to diminish the impact of intolerance, wars and hostilities. Friendly words are powerful. They soften the toughness in relationships and create long-lasting friendship. That’s why Jesus is called the Word, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of words so that anyone who comes to Him will not perish but be saved. He is the Word who became flesh to manifest the God of love in order to demolish the walls of hostility among people and unite them together.<br />
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Jesus reveals the difference between peace-loving words and the words that accompany hatred, war and weapons. Peace-loving words penetrate hearts and cause people to find better alternatives for their relationships. Words of hate, war and weapons close the door on good motives and feelings. Such words shatter hearts; first the hearts of victims but later the hearts of the tyrants themselves who boasted in their power and superiority.<br />
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Words cannot describe the noble role of Jesus Christ in relationships. He opens the eyes of even tyrants to see that the immorality of disrespect and hostility in them will destroy them too and that they need to allow Him to renew their minds and hearts in order to become peaceful. See how one of those ex-tyrants speaks about Jesus Christ:<br />
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<i>I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.</i> (Galatians 2:20)</blockquote>
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The Apostle Paul, once a tyrant, who was thirsting for the blood of Christians, was touched by Jesus and gave over all his rights to Jesus in order to be able to value the lives of others, including the lives of his enemies. He says:<br />
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<i>For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood ….</i> (Ephesians 6:12)</blockquote>
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He was once a hostile man but now confesses that hostility and war against mankind is a service to Satan, the spirit of wickedness, who never values freedom of choice or a peaceful life. Paul goes further by saying:<br />
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<i>But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ .... Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord ... </i>(Philippians 3:7 & 8) </blockquote>
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After encountering Jesus, Paul realized that understanding the heart of Jesus was more excellent than every worldly and religious privilege he had. For him Jesus is the Word of heaven which reveals the mind of God, penetrates the depths of hearts and minds and lays them open to catch the true purpose of life.<br />
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Jesus is the Word of love that has the absolute power to overcome wars against humanity and re-establish peace. Jesus was promised from the beginning of creation to bring about peace between God and people and among nations. It is because of His reconciling power that Jesus says in the Gospel that He has overcome the world; the world that ignores the cries of people and is quick to exercise discrimination, cause war and hostility. His Gospel says:<br />
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<i>Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. </i>(Hebrews 12:14 & 15)</blockquote>
EFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02882999569345728414noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-3132574723948504912015-08-05T14:49:00.001-07:002015-08-05T14:49:47.532-07:00Bad Examples of Pluralism<br /><div style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">
Pluralism is a view that teaches tolerance in a society where people of diverse cultural, religious and racial backgrounds live together.</div>
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True pluralism calls for freedom of belief, speech and equal rights despite various beliefs in a community actually being in conflict with each other. In the meantime, pluralism purports to encourage the search for the best belief. </div>
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The contemporary evolutionary mindset has decreased the value of a creative pluralism because of its strident stand on <i>relativism</i>. On the one hand, it has enabled opportunists to use pluralism as a channel of penetration for destructive ends, and on the other hand, it has pacified many people to believe that all beliefs are the same.</div>
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Islamists and those communists who have been very resistant to the exchange of ideas are examples of such opportunists. They reject pluralism ideologically but exploit it in order to get a foothold in society. These groups defend pluralism only when they are in minority. As minorities, pluralism presents to them an opportunity for penetration to change laws to suit their agendas. For them, it also facilitates a convenient isolating channel that helps them to create ghettoes and divided loyalties for the establishment of a centralized power for ultimate dominance. Many leftists have already established ghettoes in many universities in the West and have limited the freedom of speech and teaching for Christians, despite claiming to be pro- pluralist. In doing so, they reveal the real nature of their beliefs, that is, hostility to pluralism - but only when they achieve power and rule. Islamic groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt or the Mullahs in Iran, and Communist groups in Communist countries, in particular North Korea, are prime examples of groups that have become dominant and in fact, have become hostile to pluralism in their societies. </div>
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Islamic countries are also hostile to pluralism. Who can dare to go to any Islamic country and promote his/her non-Islamic belief? One of my ex-Muslim friends, who is a pastor in his so-called moderate Islamic country, also called a friend of America, told me that a couple of policemen knock on the door of his house several times a week, smack and punch him each time without any explanation and then leave. Of course, they announced at the time of their first visit that the smacks and punches were because of his departure from Islam and acceptance of Christianity.</div>
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Pluralism is a barrier to Islam and communism, but can be used as a provisional bridge for success since the end justifies the means in both beliefs. They know that the show of a defense of pluralism may encourage ignorance, passivity and complacency in people towards political and ideological trends in their country. If it does, then the ground will be ready for the harsher group to dominate.</div>
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The second group is the passive pluralists who only take into account the advantages of a pluralist society and either disregard the significant problems involved with diversity or justify them illogically. They hold the view that all beliefs are much the same. They claim that there is no difference between Islam, Christianity, New Age, etc. Understanding them is therefore unnecessary since all carry the same value.</div>
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Democracy in the West is strongly gripped in the claws of a passive pluralist attitude which has enabled aggressive groups like leftists and Islamists to make huge strides at the expense of others. The West will not be able to overcome these crises unless people start to apply a more creative and discerning approach to pluralism, an approach whereby they value freedom of choice, participation, engagement and the exchange of opinions and beliefs that promote healthy decision-making and integration. Simply put, the mere existence of a range of worship places in a city or multiple ideologies on a university campus cannot be regarded as meaningful pluralism unless there is also creative and meaningful interaction between the diverse groups. Our interactions need to be realistic, enabling us to openly discuss the deeper differences among our beliefs and to follow those beliefs that we consider to be the best. A society cannot be called pluralistic simply because all beliefs in it are considered the same. Such a society may be called homogenous and possibly even harmonious. However, under this naïve mindset, harmony in the West has been steadily fading away since multiculturalism emerged as a dominant political doctrine in recent decades. </div>
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Western democracies have never been confronted with the presence of aggressive ghettoes until relatively recent decades. Passive pluralism has not been a solution to the challenges presented by these ghettoes. If anything, it has added to the problems. Consider how many universities, which are expected to teach openness of thought, have become the ghettoes of evolutionary leftists demanding the gagging of Christian perspectives. Since Christianity teaches about God and Creation, they no longer believe that Christians have equal rights to teach about their beliefs and views in the universities. Christian universities are teaching both creationism and evolutionism, but so-called pluralist universities have closed the door for creationists to teach in them. How can universities forget their core classical value that the constructive exchange of ideas and beliefs educates us more in the pursuit of our search for the best? These universities are instead following an isolationist pluralism which can never be a good model for enriching learning and an improved society. Such an approach is for dictators and for sectarian rulers who favor their supporters only and block their ears to others. </div>
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What do we need to do in the face of aggressive and passive pluralism? We have no choice but to become the voice of Jesus Christ and tell everyone: </div>
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<i>You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.</i> (John 8:32)</blockquote>
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Truth is not static but dynamic. It reveals itself in the context of the world in order to be known by all in an open comparative process. Since truth is the source of absolute logic, it does not need to be aggressive or isolationist. That is why we, as the followers of Jesus Christ, need to take an analytical stand in our diverse society, proclaiming the importance of comparison and helping people to understand that only one belief among many can be true. Harmony occurs only if we decide to follow the truth.</div>
Janet Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265391698244104320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-14675229199421924842015-07-04T02:26:00.000-07:002015-07-04T02:26:20.623-07:00Deliberate Blindness to the Progress of Islam<br />
It will be the enemies’ best moment for penetration when other countries’ leaders prioritize their own interests or the interests of their parties and sponsors over the interests of their countries. While enemies advance in the pursuit of their evil goals and make enormous progresses, some leaders pronounce their advancement insignificant in order to release themselves of the responsibility of defending their nations against enemies. Not only this, they even go further and prepare the minds of their people to view the threats of enemies through their own indifferent lenses. They mislead their communities with deliberate thoughtlessness and act as if there is no enemy, war or threat.<br />
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History has proven that even insignificant and powerless enemies can make their ways into a country and to the higher levels of its political positions and dominate if the country leaders become inconsiderate.<br />
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Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, started his army with 150 people and in less than 100 years his army stretched itself to India on one side and to the north of Africa and Spain on the other. This was because both the Roman and Persian governments became busy with their own agendas and ignored his threat. While he had a small army, apparently insignificant in the eyes of his contemporary superpowers, he sent a personal letter to Caesar and invited him to follow Islam, otherwise Rome’s safety would be in danger. The Islamic book narrates the contents of the letter as follows:<br />
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Narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas: Allah's Apostle wrote to Caesar and invited him to Islam. He sent his letter with Dihya Al-Kalbi whom Allah's Apostle ordered it to be handed over to the Governor of Busra who would forward it to Caesar…<br />
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"In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful (This letter is) from Muhammad, the slave of Allah, and His Apostle, to Heraculius, the Ruler of the Byzantines. Peace be upon the followers of guidance. Now then, I invite you to Islam (i.e. surrender to Allah), embrace Islam and you will be safe; embrace Islam and Allah will bestow on you a double reward. But if you reject this invitation of Islam, you shall be responsible for misguiding the peasants (i.e. your nation). (Bukhari :: Volume 4 :: Book 52 :: Hadith 191 & Bukhari :: Volume 1 Book 1 :: Hadith 6)</blockquote>
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Neither the Roman Empire nor the Persian Empire took his threat as serious. Mecca which was a place of refuge for all races and ranks of people before the rise of Muhammad became the most insecure place for people. Muhammad became a threat to all citizens of the Arabian Peninsula. Christians were everywhere and their safety did not raise the interest of the Roman Government anymore. It was after the invasion and capture of Syria (a Roman State) and Iraq (a Persian State) that both Governments woke up, regrettably very late.<br />
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In the beginning, Muhammad added the following verse of the Quran in his letter to Caesar in order to convey his seriousness that he was ordained to attack Christians and make them Muslims:<br />
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O people of the Scriptures! Come to a word common to you and us and you, that we worship. None but Allah, and that we associate nothing in worship with Him; and that none of us shall take others as Lords besides Allah. Then if they turn away, say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). (Sura 3:64)</blockquote>
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This is the theological reason of Muhammad for threatening non-Muslims. “The people of the Scriptures” in Islam means Christians and Jews who lived in many parts of the globe in that time, and Zoroastrians who lived in Persia. By giving a reference from the Quran, Muhammad was providing a scriptural reason for violating the safety of the people of Scriptures. He had already proven his eagerness for the expansion of Islam. He slaughtered many Jews and other One-God followers in the Arabian Peninsula, and forced many to join Islam. Romans and Persians should have understood that if a leader was not compassionate to his own people, he would not be considerate towards the rights of his neighboring countries. He would always search for a way to invade. But they missed the point.<br />
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This is what Islam reflects in the past 1400 years of its history. Muslims marched and conquered countries one after the other in order to embody the decree of their prophet, Muhammad. ISIS, Taliban and other Islamic terrorist groups are also the flag-bearers of that decree and plan. Islam has always violated the rights of people and nations, and will continue to do so unless countries’ leaders wake up to this threat and start to care for the safety of their own nations and countries.<br />
The wealth and power of the Islamic countries have deeply pacified the non-Islamic country leaders towards the inherent violence of Islam. Now both right and left wing politicians in the West are calling Islam the religion of peace while each and every page of the Quran screams violence and every Islamic country breaches the natural rights of people because of Islam. Calling a terrorist ideology peaceful is nothing but betraying our own nation. The Quran sanctions terrorism in family, in neighborhood and abroad. Isn’t it urgent for presidents, prime-ministers and kings to read the Quran and Islamic judiciary values in order to correct themselves and have a fair foreign policy with the Islamic countries? It is. Such a brave step will also encourage the entire moderate Muslims and the whole non-Islamic world to read the Quran and be aware of the truth about Islam. Islam has caused problems everywhere and we need to discover the real reason behind this. By twisting the truth about Islam many non-Islamic country leaders have, consciously or unconsciously, served the cause of Islam and jeopardized the safety of their own nations. Islam will dominate and destroy if this political problem is not treated openly and courageously.<br />
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Who could believe that a little Islamic army would occupy the territories of the giant Persian and Roman Empires? Who can accept that a similar thing can happen today? Those who are not used to taking the threats of their enemies, small or big, seriously are those who cause history to repeat itself.<br />
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Janet Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265391698244104320noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-27727592794273149352015-05-27T19:53:00.000-07:002015-05-27T19:53:12.591-07:00Why Millions of Young Muslims Have Decided to Follow Jesus<br />
The last decades have become amazing gateways for young Muslims to leave Islam and follow the path of Jesus Christ. It was supposed that the revolutionary and radical Islamic countries such as Iran would draw the attention of many young Muslims and make them radical, but the result was not according to their desires. Iran is the number one country among all Islamic countries for losing millions of its adherents to Christianity. Young Muslims from Saudi Arabia, the motherland of Islam, are also coming to Christ.<br />
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Why? There are multiple reasons for this conversion. One significant reason is the technological advancement which opened the door for Muslims to have easy access to information globally. They can hear and read about the life philosophies of Jesus Christ and follow Him.<br />
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The Islamic Republic of Iran alone has spent millions of dollars to limit the effects of foreign radios, satellite televisions and other media outlets on Iranians, yet the advancement of technology has failed Iran’s restrictive plans continually. I have been receiving emails from many Islamic countries, including Iran, that Muslims have been watching my journey from Islam to Christ and my teachings on YouTube and via satellite television. People from all ranks of life, professors, clergies, educated and uneducated ones have been coming to Jesus through our satellite television teachings.<br />
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The second reason is the courage of ex-Muslim Christians who are now the followers of Christ. The voices of many of these followers of Christ who live in western countries are extraordinarily loud in speaking the truth of Christ to Muslims in their motherlands through every possible means. They have been apologists in using reasons to show why Islamic values are unconstructive in every aspect of life and why Muslims need to follow Jesus Christ.<br />
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The third reason is the exposure of Islamic values that were hidden for 1400 years from the sights of rank and file Muslims and of non-Muslims. The only source for Muslims to learn about Islam was Muslim clergies and scholars for centuries. Now they can look at Islam from a non-Islamic perspective, compare its values thoroughly with others and evaluate Islam personally.<br />
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Islam’s goal has never been to teach Muslims openness so that they could have logical reasons behind their belief in Islam. Now the information and communication channels have exposed everything in Islam. Many Muslims have now realized that the teachings of the Quran come into conflict with the best values of life.<br />
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The fourth reason is the zero tolerance to freedom of speech, religion and equal rights in the Islamic law. Islam is called the last and perfect religion. Many young Muslims have instead discovered that Islam is only perfect in chaining them to ignorance, making them blindly obedient and keeping them from improving. That’s why those young Muslims who yearn to be free, creative and productive leave Islam behind and find their motives in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Master in freeing people from ignorance.<br />
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The fifth reason is the failure of Islamic moral doctrine. Muslims are taught by the Quran that they are the best among all nations but the Jews and Christians are the worst. Many young Muslims now see that in reality the so-called worst people are the best. More than 90% of those medicines that are used in Islamic countries are the inventions of Jews. Muslim scholars teach their young to terrorize moderate Muslims and non-Muslims, but Jews teach their young to be creative in order to serve their people and the nations of the world.<br />
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Islamic countries do not have any portion in the contemporary inventions and technological advancements. All technological products used in Islamic countries are from the West and other developed non-Islamic countries. Muslim countries do not have anything to sell but oil or agricultural products if they do not have oil reserves. They do not have any chance of invention. Because invention necessitates individual autonomy which causes people to think big, have productive ideas and thereby become creative; whereas the word autonomy is very foreign in the Islamic dictionary and culture. Many young Muslims are now aware that they need to follow the life principles of Jesus Christ if they want to become autonomous and pursue the tenets of an advanced life.<br />
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We are so grateful that we, as ex-Muslims, have each had a role in helping Muslims to see the heart and light of Christ and come out of the darkness that is imposed on them. The knowledge of the truth is the only way to set them free.Janet Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265391698244104320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-73651013489199010542015-05-03T15:19:00.000-07:002015-05-03T15:19:31.053-07:00Is ISIS Islamic?<br />
Is killing Muslims who are not committed to Islam firmly Islamic? Is crucifying and beheading non-Muslims and taking their wives and daughters as slaves Islamic? Can ISIS be called Islamic since it has been killing people and aiming to erase the borders among Islamic countries and make them a united Muslim nation under the black flag of Islam? Is it un-Islamic when ISIS claims the caliphate, the Islamic global government, and calls all non-Islamic nations to join Islam?<br />
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What is the ultimate authority in Islam to distinguish how genuine ISIS is in its Islamic claim and proclamations? Is it really the Saudi Arabian leaders or the leaders of any Islamic country that can categorize ISIS as un-Islamic or should it be the Quran? Is it the leaders in America and the West that have the authority to label ISIS as un-Islamic and as a group that has hijacked Islam? Or is it the Quran, the Muslims’ holy book, which is given the absolute authority to define what a true Muslim is and what he is expected to do?<br />
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For years, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and some other Arabic country leaders called the members of ISIS the true fighters of Islam and poured out their millions at their feet so that the Islamic jihad could continue. As long as the overriding focus of ISIS was to fight the Shia government of Syria, Iranian and Hezbollah militias in both Syria and Iraq, it was Islamic. It was only in 2014 that ISIS was called non-Islamic by some of these countries. ISIS linked its mission to the Islamic apocalyptic caliphate and called all Muslim nations to give up their full governing rights to ISIS in order to fulfill the eschatological mission of Islam. It was then that Saudi Arabia felt desperate for help from the West and called ISIS non-Islamic. Consequently, some mosques in the West followed Saudi Arabia, the great money master, and raised their banners in opposition to ISIS. The White House and the leaders of other western countries also ranked ISIS as non-Islamic and blamed it for hijacking the so-called peaceful Islam.<br />
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It is so sad that the western leaders align their foreign policy with the fluctuating foreign policies of Islamic countries that are shaped by the capricious political philosophy of Islam. As an ex-Muslim and a scholar in Islam, I have found nowhere in Islam that Muslims should be honest in their approaches to non-Muslims even if they are in desperate need. If the Quran teaches Muslims (Q. 9:23) not even to befriend their own Muslim parents who follow a moderate path, how could Muslims befriend non-Muslims who do not share anything of Islam with them?<br />
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Saudi Arabia and others who are afraid of ISIS are not following pure Islam as much as ISIS is. They are perfectly aware that ISIS is following Muhammad’s 7th century AD political philosophy which is reflected in the Quran, especially in Suras 8 and 9. Muhammad never put critics of Islam in prison, as Saudi does. He killed all who did not apologize. No matter how intolerant Saudi Arabia is, it is still affected by some western values through international relationships and through expatriates who work in that country. The prophet of Islam would not tolerate such non-Islamic influence.<br />
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Another grave weakness of Saudi Arabia is that its kingdom never matches the leadership style of Muhammad. Muhammad never allowed himself to be a wealthy man as the kings, princes and leaders in Islamic countries are. He was a kind of revolutionary and guerilla leader who always participated in war personally as the chief commander and fought alongside his fellow jihadists. His overriding focus in Islam was to invade and loot others, destroy every non-Islamic value and share everything with his followers, including enslaved women and girls. He never retreated from warring with others. Islamic country leaders never represent the leadership of Muhammad, but ISIS does. That is why ISIS sees itself a better solution for Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries.<br />
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One may ask, if Saudi Arabia is not following pure Islam, why then has it been pouring millions of dollars into the pockets of terrorists throughout the past decades? The answer can be multidimensional. There are powerful Muslim clergies in Saudi Arabia with significant number of followers that even the Saudi kingdom cannot stop from supporting terrorists. A great portion of terrorist monies flow out from these clergies. Secondly, as long as terrorists are not serious threats to Saudi Arabia, Saudi leaders would not mind if they destroy other cultures. Thirdly, Saudi leaders believe that Allah is happy with their system otherwise he would not bless them. As a result, they are happy to export their own kind of Islam, Wahhabism, which means to ruin other cultures and still please Allah. Fourthly, they also need to please many of their people, including those who serve their interests in non-Islamic countries, and to export Islam. Islam cannot be exported unless it is involved with some kinds of terrorism, either physical, cultural, social or political. Saudi must get involved in some kind of terrorism in order to gain support from its people.<br />
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What Saudi and other fundamental Islamic countries are doing is only enough to pave the way for the promised eschatological caliph of whom Muhammad spoke. But the Saudi king is not that caliph. He must humble himself to that caliph. The leader of ISIIS saw the qualities of that caliph in himself, announced himself a caliph and expected the Saudi king to know Islam well and accordingly bow down to him. But the Saudi king is firmly attached to his throne, unlike his prophet, and never showed allegiance to the caliph.<br />
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The leader of ISIS, Al Baghdadi, is deep in Islamic study. He knows that the money from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the Emirates and Turkey helps in the advancement of the true Islam but not those countries’ political philosophy which is affected by western politics. ISIS is honest in its call to Muslim nations to follow its model. ISIS is well aware that no Islamic country leader fits the eschatological government of Islam. ISIS knows the Quran well and how the Quran defines a true Muslim.<br />
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The Quran in Sura (chapter) 49:14 defines a Muslim as someone who surrenders to Islam without any choice for understanding. In his biography, Muhammad said that he himself was forced and violated by an angel to accept the Quran. He said this so that his followers would know that force in Islam is inherent and they had no choice to question the Quran. Muslims who want to take a softer approach are called infidels. (Sura 4:150-151) But the life in Saudi Arabia does not match the qualities of theses verses strictly.<br />
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The Quran also in Sura 9:123 defines a pious Muslim (Al-Muttaqûn) as someone who is harsh in his attitude and ready to kill non-Muslims, even relatives and neighbors. In Sura 4:95 it says that Allah has granted a grade higher to those who personally go to war and kill than to those who sit at home.<br />
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The responsibility of every pious Muslim is to punish, shame and terrorize those who reject Islam and Allah. (Suras 8:12, 9:2, 14 and 58:20) These verses teach that killing non-Muslims or infidel Muslims is a remedy to pious Muslims’ souls. That’s why they need to control every part of people’s lives and make sure that everything is solely in accordance with Islam. Even prayer that is expected to be a personal thing is not personal in Islam. If you do not pray, you and your family can be locked in your house and be burned by a pious Muslim. The prophet of Islam said: “I was about to order for collecting firewood and then order someone to pronounce the Adhan (prayer call) for the prayer and then order someone to lead the people in prayer and then I would go from behind and burn the houses of men who did not present themselves for the (compulsory congregational) prayer.” (Bukhari V9, B89, H330).<br />
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What ISIS has been doing is the true reflection of the Quran’s instructions and of Muhammad’s life. ISIS sees its model in Muhammad, not in the king of Saudi or in any other Muslim leader. All evidences in Islam prove that ISIS is following the pure Islam. The western leaders will never be able to help Muslims, especially the young, if they continue blaming ISIS and other terrorist groups with non-Islamic actions and indirectly question the authority of their very sacred book, the Quran. The facts cannot be hidden long; sooner or later they will be obvious.<br />
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Islamic country leaders also need to stop hiding Islamic facts. Islam has not left any choice for living in peace with non-Muslims or even with moderate Muslims. They therefore need either to join ISIS, get involved in unceasing wars like their prophet Muhammad, pour out the blood of innocent people and please their Allah or to leave Islam and find a better alternative so that their nations can live in peace at home and with others.<br />
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Janet Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265391698244104320noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9121427132134112897.post-51995304911527609712015-04-01T14:42:00.003-07:002015-04-01T14:42:22.952-07:00Mid-Eastern Reform Heroes Need West’s Help<br />
In an authoritarian Islamic leadership style there are pressures from every angle to block the door to freedom of rights, speech and religion. One must be a hero if he/she breaks the silence, speaks out and stands firmly to rescue his nation from religious and cultural intolerance and chauvinism. For this reason, the Reza Shah of Iran (the first king of Pahlavi dynasty), Ataturk of Turkey and Sisi of Egypt deserve to be called heroes, even though unable to stand for every tenet of freedom.<br />
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The amazing and distinguishing character in these leaders is their love for their countries and nations. Reza Shah’s and Ataturk’s major desire, as in Sisi, was to see their counties free from tyrannical Muslims whose aim has always been to frame the mind of their people with the seventh century nomadic culture of Muhammad and close every door of creativity to them. Islam, as a political religion, started to finance itself with looting caravan traders, the Jews of Medina and the pagans of Arabia instead of teaching its adherents to work and stand on their own feet.<br />
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Reza Shah, who reigned in Iran between 1925 and 1941, was the first Iranian Muslim King in 1400 years of Islamic history in Iran who rescued Iranian women from the slavery of their husbands, led them into education and established them in equal rights with men. He was also the first Muslim king who rejected racism and put the most ancient freedom creed of the great King Cyrus into action, showing reverence to the Jews of Iran by visiting their communities and synagogues. That’s why Ayatollah Khomeini hated him and destroyed even his mausoleum in Tehran after the Revolution of 1979. As a Muslim, Reza Shah was expected to hate and humiliate the Jews according to the instructions of the Quran, but he instead honored them as his fellow citizens and as humankind against the instructions of Islam. Indeed, the severity of Ayatollah Khomeini’s hatred towards the last king of Iran, Mohammad Reza Shah, was because of his acceptance of Israel as a country and friend.<br />
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The goal of the Middle Eastern heroes is to open the door for their nations to enter the free world, benefit from good values of others and rescue themselves from premature values. Their lives cannot be productive unless they start to believe in the autonomy of others and of their rights as much as they desire and believe for themselves. Of course, the valiant actions of such heroes have always provoked the most close-minded and vicious committed Muslims to do everything in their power and stop dynamism. That’s why so often these heroes find themselves alone in the battle and see themselves in desperate need of external help. In many cases, it becomes unlikely for them to get even the whole-hearted support of moderate Muslims who are afraid to be ranked infidels according to the Quran and thereby be humiliated. The Quran calls moderate Muslims infidels:<br />
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<i>….: and (those who) wish to take a course midway. They are in truth (equally) Unbelievers; and We have prepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment.</i> (Sura Al-Nisa 4:150-151 Yusuf Ali).</blockquote>
This is where these heroes need external support, the support of those who value freedom and want to see it as an inherent part of every individual, no matter his/her race, color, belief or nationality. Sadly, not only these heroes haven’t received any external support but they have received opposition instead. Reza Shah was disliked by the British Government of the West and the Communist Russian Government of the time, who both forced him to leave his country and die apart from his homeland.<br />
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The church-state legacy of the Ataturk of Turkey is now being axed by the present Islamic government of Turkey, a pro-Muslim Brotherhood government who gets unlimited support from President Obama. The Turkish government has become the number one government in jailing many numbers of democracy-loving generals and journalists. President Sisi of Egypt is also face to face with President Obama’s unceasing support for the Muslim Brotherhood which has been the number one sworn enemy to every Muslim reformist, including Sisi.<br />
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President Sisi deserves external help more than others. His approach to the traditional Islamic values is different to the approaches of Reza Shah and Ataturk. Both Reza Shah and Ataturk used their power in outlawing some tenets of Islam which were pushing people back. President Sisi instead wants an ideological revolution. He wants a new Islam which is free of discrimination, hatred and hostility, can respect the rights of non-Muslims and Muslims alike; a religion that honors the freedom of choice and allows people to choose whatever belief they like or reject whatever they dislike. Such a belief cannot be established in any Islamic society without the support of freedom lovers in the world.<br />
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No government in the West, as far as I am aware of, congratulated Sisi for his extraordinary courageous remarks against radicalism. Western governments ears are very sharp in listening to the terrorist governments of Iran, Palestine and the like whose goal is to radicalize Muslims and to exterminate non-Muslims. But they hardly hear or even want to hear the voices of those who are courageous and want to de-radicalize their societies.<br />
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Media in the West also could draw the attention of the Islamic world, especially the young Muslims who are under the threat of employment by ISIS, to Sisi’s golden words but sadly turned its blind eye to his comments. Most of our contemporary media channels have failed to honor the true freedom lovers. They instead honor PLO and Hamas who are the vessels of radicalism and enemies to reformists like Sisi.<br />
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Western leaders and people need to learn from President Sisi who is able to see the root of the problem in Iran and in Palestine, which is radical Islam. The world will not be a peaceful place unless its leaders stand behind heroes like Sisi who knows that openness is the key for Muslims to learn and live in peace and harmony with others.<br />
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While the majority of western leaders see the solution for the Islamic radicalism in physical war, Sisi believes more in an ideological war that can uproot fanaticism and barbarism among Muslims. He said that it is “illogical” for over a billion Muslims to dominate the world and get rid of the other six billion non-Muslims or limit their rights for living. He pleaded with Muslim clerics to think, evaluate and reform Islam based on understanding and in a way that it can tolerate logic. Only a logical approach to Islam can cause Muslims to think and save themselves from the destructive archaic creeds of 7th century Arabia that are guiding the minds of fundamentalist Muslims. Sisi’s reference to logic means that reformation should start from the root instead of pruning branches. Reza Shah and Ataturk pruned the branches of Islam only, but forgot that the effects of the root on the branches is immense and multiplies the pruned branches. They were very brave and even exposed their own lives to the attacks of radical Muslims, but forgot to think deeply that any positive change ought to start from the root. They needed to encourage their people to open their minds and hearts to the best values in the world, no matter from who or where, even if they contradicted their own beliefs. In other words, people needed to broaden their ways of thinking in order to understand that the fundamental problem in their societies was the close-mindedness of Islam and the lack of freedom. That’s why both Iran and Turkey fell later into the hands of committed Muslims despite Reza Shah’s and Ataturk’s great investments in the pursuit of their agendas for freedom. They pruned some branches of Islam only, instead of reforming Islam. With pruning the branches of radicalism the fruits of radicalism will even become more than before. We all know that the death of Osama bin Laden, who was just a branch of Islam’s radicalism, did not result in the disappearance of radicalism. Instead, many shoots of radicalism popped up from his death and made the world even more insecure.<br />
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It is an obligation for all freedom lovers to stand behind heroes like Sisi who has put his life at risk and has pleaded with Muslim scholars to reform Islam for the sake of peace and harmony in the world. Sisi is not a hero of freedom, but he is a hero in raising his voice boldly for freedom in a society that is instructed by Islam to cut the finger tips and head of anyone who aims to reform Islam. Let us award Sisi with raising our voices in favor of his remarks so that many Muslims in the world follow his foot-steps and offer even more than Sisi to their societies against radicalism.<br />
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Janet Shayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13265391698244104320noreply@blogger.com0