Ground Zero, an email

[a pilgrim]

Enclosed is an email from a conversation with a relative outside of my immediate family. Below is my response.

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I am only going to reply to this once, and I hope I don't offend anybody. First, claiming an entire religion to be evil based on the acts of a few men is dangerous. Some Muslims are fundamentalists and terrorists. So are some Christians. Just one example... The KKK is an organization of "good" christian men that burns cross and lynches people. Should I assume all good Christians hold their beliefs?
The idea that it's insensitive to build a Mosque near the hallowed ground of the ground zero site makes no sense, given that there are no less than two strip clubs in site of the construction.
And my final argument, freedom of religion meant freedom for ALL religions. To say otherwise, to deny them the right to worship where and how they please, strikes a bigger blow at our history, tradition and constitution than any two planes.

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Dear ___________,

I wanted to answer some of the remarks you made in your letter.

Quote:Some Muslims are fundamentalists and terrorists. So are some Christians

Fundamentalist Muslims cut your head off, fundamentalist Christians preach against worldly living, but leave it up to you. BIG difference.

Quote:The KKK is an organization of "good" christian men that burns cross and lynches people. Should I assume all good Christians hold their beliefs?

Good Christian men would not do such a thing, neither are they instructed to in the Bible. The Qur'an on the other hand says:

"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."
Qur'an 9:5

"O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust." Qur'an 5:51

"Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority".Qur'an (3:151)

"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement" Qur'an (5:33)

"And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah" Qur'an (8:39)

"Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace..." Qur'an (9:14)

Qur'an (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves"

That last verse is a lie. They kill those who are not in their sect. I may disagree with the Methodists, or Presbyterians, but I am not going to kill them.

Shall I go on? There 109 verses clearly promoting violence, death, and Jihad.

What does the Bible tell the Christian to do, whether his is liberal or fundamentalist?

Mat 5:43 ¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

what about the Apostle Paul, what did he tell the New Testament church (good Christians,) to do?

Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

There is no comparison. If a Christian chooses to kill in the "name of God," he does so WITHOUT SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT. However, if a Muslim chooses to kill in the "name of Allah," he has the Qur'an behind him. Why do you think the radical Muslims do what they do? It is because they are literalists, that's all they are, they believe their book, and practice it.

Quote:The idea that it's insensitive to build a Mosque near the hallowed ground of the ground zero site makes no sense, given that there are no less than two strip clubs in site of the construction.

They were already there. As much as I detest this type of lewdness, they, these people, have not commited themselves to death to the infidels.

Quote:And my final argument, freedom of religion meant freedom for ALL religions. To say otherwise, to deny them the right to worship where and how they please, strikes a bigger blow at our history, tradition and constitution than any two planes.

Their freedom to worship where and how they please is to be subjected to the same government and societal restriction all other religions whould be subject to. Remember, the 9-11 hijackers did what they did as an act of worship to Allah, is all worship protected by the Constitution? Not that kind.

My dear one, you are mistaken. I love you and respect your opinioin, but it not based on truth, but on the slant of the liberal media. You must look outside of the current system for REAL truth. Jesus said:

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

It is my prayer that you will seriously consider what I've shared with you.

In Christian love,
Ben

[William]

Brother, that was excellent. You said everything that needed to be said. I just hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.

Where have you been? We've missed you!

[a pilgrim]

(08-25-2010 12:44 PM)William Wrote:  Brother, that was excellent. You said everything that needed to be said. I just hope it doesn't fall on deaf ears.

Where have you been? We've missed you!

I seldom use internet at home because we have dial up and it is so slow and my Dell got popped by lightening. Ouch. Hope I can recover.

So...I do most of my web stuff at work. Lately I have had ALOT of jobs away from the shop. In house today, catching up.

Nice to be missed. I appreciate you and the AVBBF brethren, too!

Ben

[Rick Schworer]

Excellent response.