Archive for the ‘Islam’ Category

More Public Schools Promoting Islam

Posted: September 11, 2019 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, Islam, public schools, religious freedom
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Over four hundred teachers underwent mandatory training in Michigan recently that exalted Islam but denigrated Christianity, America, and white males. The training leads people to believe Islam is the peaceful, true religion while Christianity is a man-made, inferior, false religion.

Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center (TMLC) described it as a well-orchestrated Islamic propaganda campaign and said:

“We found that the teachers were subjected to two days of Islamic propaganda, where Islam was glorified, Christianity disparaged, and America bashed…”

But that’s not all!

There’s another lawsuit, this time in Maryland, where high-school students were required to profess the Shahada, the Islamic conversion creed, ‘There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.’ The school did not allow a Christian student, Caleigh Wood, to opt out, and failed her for refusing to submit.

It’s interesting that Islam is translated as “submission.”

I agree with TMLC’s Richard Thompson that across the U.S. special treatment is being given to the Muslim faith. Government schools do so under the guise of diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism, teaching history and social studies. Would this ever be tolerated if it were Christianity or any other religion? Nope.

In the training, Christian scriptures are described as being “corrupted” while the holy book of Islam, the Quran was said to contain the “pure” word of God. According to the report, of hundreds of teachers attending the workshop, not one teacher challenged the fabrications about Islam, the disrespect toward Christianity or attacks on America.

…Huda Essa of Culture Links LLC, who describes herself as an advocate of social justice and encourages children to “take pride in their many identities.” She also claimed that white males are more dangerous than Islamic radicals.

Essa provided no truthful information on Sharia law, jihad, or the harsh treatment of women. All references to terrorism were dismissed as having nothing to do with Islam. She compared Christianity to Islam suggesting they are mostly similar. “The one big difference, she claims, is that Islam is the world’s “only purely monotheistic religion.”

…Unfortunately, one need only go back to the 1960s when the one true, living God was expelled from most public schools along with voluntary prayer, Bible reading, and even the Ten Commandments. This void not only set the stage for the lack of discipline, unprecedented sexual activity, drugs, and violence; but for many of today’s schools bending over backwards to promote Islam…

Full post here:

Image credit: Freedom Project Media

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Uncommon Ground: Pope Francis, Muslim Imam Pushing One-World Religion?

Posted: February 21, 2019 by David Fiorazo in apostasy, David's Blog, Islam, Politics, Progressive Christianity
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Pope Francis recently signed a pact with Muslims in a possible push toward a one-world religion and declared that diversity of religions is God’s will. But wait. Doesn’t the Bible warn Christians about unifying with those who worship other gods and have contradictory beliefs?

God sent His Son to save sinners, but Allah had no son. Isn’t this a problem with anyone else? There are many glaring, stark contrasts between the founders of Christianity (Jesus) and Islam (Muhammad) as well as the doctrines themselves. Jesus taught love and forgiveness, and He also instructed His disciples to “pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 5:44).”

But the prophet Muhammad was a violent warrior who promoted conquest, had multiple wives, and killed Jews and Christians – referring to them as infidels and sworn enemies. Look it up.

Jesus was a sinless, spiritual leader who laid down His life to save mankind, said “Father, forgive them” to those that crucified Him’ Jesus never killed anyone. Muhammad too, was a spiritual leader, who became a political leader, a liar, and a violent military leader. Christ ruled by peace while Muhammad ruled largely by the sword.

Nevertheless, a historic interfaith covenant was signed in the Middle East last week, and isn’t it interesting the U.S. mainstream media was practically silent about it? Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, considered to be the most important imam in Sunni Islam, arrived at the signing ceremony with Roman Catholic Church leader Pope Francis “hand-in-hand in a symbol of interfaith brotherhood.”

The pope and the grand imam of al-Azhar signed what was referred to as “a historic declaration of fraternity, calling for peace between nations, religions and races, in front of a global audience of religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, Judaism and other faiths.” Many gods and spirits exist, but if one religion is true, all the rest have to be false. Does the Bible have anything to say about this?

“…do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world; …and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist;” (1 John 4:1-3)

Though there are some similarities, Islam is quite incompatible with the Bible as well as America, a society that values Judeo-Christian principles and religious freedom. Islam will accept no other religions, no competing economic or political views, and no legal system except Sharia Law which would outlaw Christianity.

And by the way, did you know Muslims elected to Congress demand to be sworn in on the Quran, not the Bible? So who or what are they swearing allegiance to? Many passages in Islamic holy books command and justify violence in the name of Allah. Let’s look at what the Quran has to say about other religions.

“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; (Quran 5:33)

“(Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels… “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve (defy Allah). Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them” (Quran 8:12)

The Quran contains at least 109 verses that speak of war with nonbelievers, usually meaning non-Muslims, as well as 164 verses declaring jihad, holy war. Religion of peace – really?

Islam is a social, political and economic system (Sharia Law) that uses a false deity (Allah) to advance its agenda of control. The meaning of Islam is “submission,” and people must bow to Allah.

The God of the Bible, Jesus Christ said, “All authority has been given to me (Matthew 28:18).” Islam, however, teaches Jesus was only a prophet. They say He was not God and teach that Jesus did not sacrifice Himself for our sins and die on the cross, nor did He rise from the dead. But these are core essentials of the Christian faith!

Muhammed claimed to be the last and greatest of all of God’s prophets, he had fifteen wives, and sanctioned the beating of wives (Sura 4:34). Muhammed was well known for spreading his new religion by force. Five years after his death, Muhammad’s followers captured Jerusalem and by 732 A.D. they went into Spain. Their aggression continued for hundreds of years until finally, resistance rose up via the Crusades which began in 1095.

Back to Pope Francis: another thing he did was to declare the Sharia-governed United Arab Emirates the ‘homeland of tolerance.’ Just look at history and news reports and you’ll see this could not be further from the truth.

So, the Pope shook hands, kissed, and signed with El-Tayeb, an open advocate of Sharia law. In fact, in a June 2016 television interview he stated,

“The penalty for an open apostate, departing from the community [Islam], is well stipulated in sharia. An apostate must be pressed upon to repent within a variable period of time or be killed.”

Clearly, Islam and Christianity are mutually exclusive. Both claim to be the only true way to God, but both cannot be right.

Former Muslim, Elijah Abraham, is an expert on Islam and as an evangelist, he travels worldwide to train pastors on apologetics and how to witness to Muslims. He states:

Islam is advancing in the West with an evil agenda to convert Westerners and especially Americans to Islam and dominate the world. If that happens, the biggest loser will be the church of Jesus Christ in the West because of its loss of its religious liberty and freedom of speech.

Nowhere in the Bible does God encourage joining with other religions. While there have been many attempts in recent years to find common ground between the two religions, the fact is that stark differences remain.

It is misguided to focus on a few common teachings without considering the differences in major doctrines that are diametrically opposed to one another. This is not to say we shouldn’t evangelize people of other faiths, but when it comes to “uniting,” Christians are often the first to compromise, and it’s often biblical doctrine that suffers. All through the New Testament, we read about salvation by faith in Christ alone; that we are saved by the grace of God through trusting in the sacrifice of Jesus (Eph. 2:8-9).

We know that powerful, world elites are pushing uniformity and a one world religion, but it’s still stunning to see top world leaders from Catholicism and Islam make such a dramatic display. This is clearly a sign we’re drawing closer to the end.

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Christianity Expelled, Islam Explored in Public Schools

Posted: May 23, 2018 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, Education, Government Schools, Islam, religious freedom
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Don’t think this is just another isolated incident where Islam is being favored in public schools. The point here is simple: either teach on all religions equally or don’t teach on any of them.

Since God, the Bible, the name of Jesus, and the Ten Commandments have been expelled from government-run schools in America, mounting evidence proves – decade after decade – every other belief system including atheism, humanism, secular progressivism, and Islam have been allowed.

A new report out of West Virginia says Mountain Ridge middle school students in Gerrardstown were asked to practice writing the Islamic declaration of faith known as the “shahada” in Arabic calligraphy. Translated into English, the statement claims, “There is no god but Allah. Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.”

As part of the world religions unit of the class, the lesson plan leads students to profess the socio-political religion of Islam as true and to lead them to think Allah is God, the Creator.

Apparently, the 30-page section “Islam in the World Today” contains anti-Christian sentiment and required seventh graders to read segments of the Qur’an, learn Muslim prayer poses, and understand the Five Pillars of Islam.

The Muslim faith is both controversial and in direct contradiction to Christianity, so parents were outraged, especially after hearing students would be given a detention slip if they didn’t do the assignment, according to reports. The teacher now claims the assignment was optional.

Both Christianity and Islam promote a standard of morality and doing good deeds, but the god of Islam is not the same as the living God of the Holy Bible. The Muslim holy book, the Qur’an, considers Jesus a prophet, but not Lord or the Savior. There is also no Trinity in Islam so the Holy Spirit is irrelevant to them.

Allah had no son, but the Bible teaches Jesus is God’s Son. He was “with God in the beginning (John 1:1),” the Word who became flesh (John 1:14). Muslims deny that Jesus died on the cross to sacrifice Himself for our sins – a foundation of the Christian faith – as is His resurrection from the dead after three days in a tomb.

Packets were previously handed out to students on Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Judaism, but one parent pointed out that the Islam packet contained passages from the Qur’an. Not surprisingly, no Bible verses were included in the packet on Christianity.

More parents across the country have also objected to a Department of Education program called “Access Islam.” According to the Clarion Project, the federally-funded program is directed at children from grades 5-12 and is also featured on various websites, including PBS Learning Media. The Smithsonian also promotes the course as does the United Nations.

A video from the course prominently features a Christian convert to Islam, who declares emotionally how he found the true religion without any “intermediaries.” Concerned parents have noted the U.S. Department of Education provides no comparable study or promotion of any other religion.

One high school homework assignment obtained by a news outlet revealed the question: “How did Muslim conquerors treat those they conquered?” The correct answer was, “With tolerance, kindness and respect.” So, invading armies annihilated their enemies with tolerance, kindness, and respect? Wow.

The prophet Muhammad was a violent warrior who led the slaughter of many people. Islam means “submission” and many were executed because they did not submit to Allah. For those open to truth, just do a little research.

In a breaking story out of New York City, parents are outraged after a public school held a moment of silence last Tuesday for the people killed in Gaza. A Beacon High School public address announcement urged students to pause and honor those who died in the clash at the Israeli border during protest of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem. The terrorist organization, Hamas publicly confirmed 50 of the 62 people who dies were members of their militant Islamic group.

What about statements about peace in the Qur’an? “Abrogation” is a recurring theme whenever conflicting verses of the Quran are discussed. It means to cancel, repeal, or officially revoke something. In this context, the later or more recent verses calling for jihad and Holy War override earlier verses counseling tolerance or peace.

A few years ago in Olmstead Falls, Ohio, parents tried for years to raise awareness and get the school board to change some lessons and history textbooks that stated Muslims historically “practiced religious tolerance” by requiring Christians and Jews to pay extra taxes. There was no mention that the alternative was often death. They conveniently left those facts out.

Jenny McKeigue was notified by her oldest son that during class his teacher played a reality TV episode of “30 Days: Muslims and America” about converting to Islam.

Author and executive editor of The Federalist, Joy Pullman reported in 2016:

In “30 Days: Muslims and America,” an imam tells a Christian man attempting to live as a Muslim for 30 days that Muslims and Christians worship the same god. The Christian struggles with that idea but ultimately accepts it.

And in Maryland, La Plata High School was also accused of favoring Islam by forcing children to profess the Muslim statement of faith and requiring them to memorize the Five Pillars of Islam, according to a 2015 federal lawsuit filed by the Thomas Moore Law Center. In this case, John and Melissa Wood accused the school of Islamic indoctrination and propaganda, and when Mr. Wood complained, the school banned him from campus! 

There have also been similar stories in California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia, and others – all receiving extremely little attention in the politically-correct, progressive media.

Discriminating against those holding to the Christian worldview while promoting other religious views is unconstitutional. So where is the Freedom from Religion foundation when it comes to Islam being taught in government schools?

There should be no confusion over the stark contrasts between the worldviews of Christianity and Islam. It is misguided to focus on a few common teachings without acknowledging major doctrines that are diametrically opposed to one another.

Open Doors reports on persecution worldwide  and the following are monthly averages: 255 Christians are killed, 104 Christians are abducted, and 180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage. 

I am not suggesting the Christian faith should be the only one allowed in public schools – although that is what took place for over a hundred years in America when our country was very different morally and spiritually. I am asking for fairness and justice.

If schools discuss one religion, then others should be allowed as well.

But the left won’t go for that because they believe in the total separation of Christianity and state. Keep Jesus out, and anything else goes. Maybe they know if the Bible is allowed back in schools, more children will end up believing it. Why? Because it’s true.

*Originally published at Freedom Project Media

President Obama Promotes Islam at Controversial Mosque

Posted: February 17, 2016 by David Fiorazo in Christianity in America, David's Blog, Islam
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islam_vs_christianitySpeaking at the Islamic Society of Baltimore the day before the National Prayer Breakfast, President Obama again sent an ideological message in need of fact-checking to Americans as he called for tolerance toward Muslims and unity of all faiths.

Obama’s visit to the U.S. mosque was controversial because its former imam, Mohamad Adam el-Sheikh, was accused of terrorist connections and the mosque is a Muslim site with deep ties to extremist elements, including the Muslim Brotherhood. El-Sheikh formed a group whose parent organization provided funds to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda, Hamas and other terrorist organizations according to the U.S. Treasury Department.

For those who are informed and understand the president’s worldview, nothing he said was surprising. He thanked Muslim-Americans for helping to build this country (you read that right), said Islam is not to blame for terrorist attacks, and added, “We are one American family…”

For more than a thousand years people have been drawn to Islam’s message of peace. And the very word itself, Islam, comes from “salaam”–peace. The standard greeting is “salaam alaikum”–peace be upon you. And like so many faiths, Islam is rooted in a commitment to compassion and mercy and justice and charity. Whoever wants to enter paradise, the Prophet Mohammad taught, let him treat people the way he would love to be treated.

First, Islam means submission. How does the president define “peace”? Islam promotes conquest and surrender; Muslims are to submit to Allah and all others must convert or face consequences. Also, some have been drawn to ISIS – not because Islam is a message of peace, but because they get to kill “infidels.”

Mohammad was a blood-thirsty warrior who conquered cities which certainly does not agree the teachings of Jesus Christ. Moreover, there is no guarantee of paradise for followers of Mohammad unless a Muslim kills himself and others in the name of Allah.

Christians however, have assurance of eternal life by trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10) and, being saved by God’s grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-10), we are given the Holy Spirit in our hearts as a pledge of our inheritance (2 Cor. 1:22).

Obama also stated:

“Islam has always been part of America; Generations of Muslim-Americans helped build our nation.”

I don’t seem to recall Muslim founders, patriots, or Muslim pilgrims being mentioned in history books and text books at school when I was growing up, do you?

“Recently, we’ve heard inexcusable political rhetoric against Muslim Americans that has no place in our country.”

Apparently this was a shot at Donald Trump and those who support border security and the vetting of refugees. Defending terrorists once again, he said, “we can’t suggest that Islam itself is at the root of the problem. That betrays our values.”

The root of man’s problems is sin, but whose values is he referring to specifically? We do know President Obama values abortion, socialism, the U.N., the LGBT agenda, and many other anti-Christian views as demonstrated by his words and policies. Before he was elected president, when asked in an interview about the meaning of “sin” Obama stated sin is “being out of alignment with my values.” In the same interview he said he doesn’t know what happens after we die and claimed Jesus was merely a historical figure. Christians believe Jesus Christ is Lord and God.

The president preached religious freedom – for Muslims, saying it must be upheld, but why doesn’t he defend Christian bakers, florists, photographers, charities, bed and breakfast owners, etc. when they are fined or have their businesses shut down due to their sincere religious beliefs? Do we also need to mention how the Obama Justice Department came down on Hobby Lobby, Little Sisters of the Poor, and others?

Meanwhile, back at the mosque:

“We have to reaffirm that most fundamental of truths—we are all God’s children, all born equal with inherent dignity.”

Having dignity is one thing, but according to the Bible, we are not all children of God. In fact, Jesus once said those who were trying to kill him were of their father, the devil (John 8:44). It is true we were created in the image of God, but until a person is born of the Spirit of God, he or she cannot become an adopted child of God. (1 John 4:1-6) Muslims do not accept the authority and deity of Christ. Do you believe Scripture or a politician?

“Our television shows should have some Muslim characters that aren’t related to national security.”

He also affirmed there are now more black people on TV so I’m not even sure what to say here. The president added,

“In Muslim communities…this is a time of concern and frankly, a time of some fear… As Muslim Americans…your entire community so often is targeted or blamed for the violent acts of the very few.”

If this is true, then why is it no one seems to be afraid of offending Christians but many people fear offending Muslims? He’d rather lecture us on alleged bigotry against Muslims but can’t bring himself to utter a word about the genocide of Christians in the Middle East.

The president also insisted we make sure that hate crimes are punished and the civil rights of all Americans are upheld. (Some now consider it “hate” to say Jesus is the only way to the Father or homosexuality is a sin.)

I like what Fox News commentator, Todd Starnes, said:

Did Obama call on Muslims to embrace LGBT rights — like he does when he speaks to Christian gatherings? I wonder if Obama’s speech writer got his facts from the Common Core lessons on Islam?

One of the more surprising claims Obama made was, “Islam has a tradition of respect for other faiths.” Um, really? This had to be off prompter. Have proponents of Islam traditionally shown respect for the Jewish and Christian faiths as well as others they consider “infidels”? You don’t have to answer that.

Perhaps he thinks Christian persecution does not exist. With tens of thousands of Christians worldwide being chased out of their homes and villages, many of them being killed as churches are destroyed, Obama warned against anti-Muslim bigotry? The fact is Jews are four times more likely than Muslims to be victims of a hate crime.

“As Muslim communities stand up for the future you believe in… America will be your partner.”

Not all of America if that future includes shredding the U.S. Constitution, mistreating women, implementing Sharia Law, and dominating our culture, government, education system, and media.

Finally, to Muslims, the president said, “Let your light shine.” How exactly is this translated in terms of the Quran and Muhammad’s teachings?

American citizens might take him more seriously if there were Muslim groups denouncing Islamic terrorism and speaking out on behalf of the victims of violence in the name of Allah. And if Obama supported Christianity the way he does Islam, these speeches wouldn’t fall on as many deaf ears.

It is both disingenuous and doublespeak to divide Americans while preaching “unity.” More often than not, his actions and rhetoric seem to do more damage to our society than good. Of course, some believe this was part of the agenda all along.

 

Related:

The Man Behind the Mosque

What Difference Does It Make If President Obama Is Not A Christian?

Obama Praises Muslims at First U.S. Mosque Visit

Barack Obama’s History of Liberalism, Marxism, Chicago Politics, and Black Liberation Theology

Obama pleads for tolerance in first visit to US mosque

Ben Carson Didn’t Cave, Confusion Remains Re; Islam

UN-common Ground: Christianity, Islam and ISIS

Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?

Obama heads to controversial mosque