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(Excerpts from an article titled "Putting
a name to it" By Mark O'Keefe in the Ft. Worth Star Telegram-Posted
on Sat, Jun. 21, 2003)
As Muslim groups push for Americans to add "Islamic"
to the phrase "Judeo-Christian," the argument about
how to describe our values heats up
Leading Muslim organizations say it's time for Americans to stop
using the phrase "Judeo-Christian" when describing
the values and character that define the United States.
Better choices, they say, are "Judeo-Christian-Islamic"
or "Abrahamic," referring to Abraham, the patriarch
held in common by the monotheistic big three religions.
The new language should be used "in all venues where we
normally talk about Judeo-Christian values, starting with the
media, academia, statements by politicians and comments made
in churches, synagogues and other places," said Agha Saeed,
founder and chairman of the American Muslim Alliance, a political
group with headquarters in Fremont, Calif.
Other national Muslim groups supporting a change include the
Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Muslim American Society
and the American Muslim Council.
Numbers. The U.S. Muslim population is growing. Estimates are
disputed but range as high as 7 million. (The Jewish-population
estimate is 5 million.)
"Muslims are here, and there are 7 million of them, even
though they're largely invisible to most Americans," said
Saeed. "This necessitates some discussion about language."
o Commonality. Even though many people emphasize the differences,
Islam has similarities with Christianity and Judaism.
"We believe in heaven and hell, in doing good deeds, in
following the Ten Commandments," said Hannah Hawk, a spokeswoman
for the Houston Muslim Public Affairs Council. "Islamic
values are not only compatible with American values, they're
almost identical. I, personally, believe the most Islamic country
in the world is America, where we believe in freedom of religion,
freedom of the press and equality of all."
o Diplomacy. When President Bush mentions "churches and
synagogues," he's quick to add "mosques," but
many Islamic nations still perceive the United States as a Christian
country bent on dominating Muslims in a modern-day crusade. An
inclusive change of language could alter that view, said Zahid
Bukhari, director of Muslims in the American Public Square at
Washington's Georgetown University.
o History. Some assert that African Muslims were among the slaves
brought to America. In addition, some argue that Islamic ideas
helped shape the European West, which produced the values cherished
by the Constitution's framers.
"What we call Western culture is in fact based on Muslim
Middle East culture, but the average American doesn't know that,"
said Sharifa Alkhateeb, president of the Washington-based Muslim
Education Council.
[Editor] George 'UMC' Bush is a politically correct religionist.
There is only ONE CHURCH. There are no Christian synagogues and
mosques. There is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN by which we must
be saved other than JESUS CHRIST, the SON of the LIVING GOD.
(Acts 4:12)
Islam and Judaism have only enough similarities with Christianity
to condemn them to an eternity in hell. They may have similarities
in Abraham, the patriarch, held in common by them, but there
is no salvation to be found, or had, by believing in Abraham.
Tell the Roman Catholics this about their "Virgin Mary"
too, if you know any.
Wonder how long it will be before the public schools begin teaching
the children the news that Islamic ideas helped shape the European
West, which produced the values cherished by the Constitution's
framers.
Since the average American doesn't know that Western culture
is in fact based on Muslim Middle East culture, it must be taught
in the politically correct schools and then it will permeate
into the churches. Yes, it will. As goes the World, so goes the
so-called "Christian" churches.
I don't think the Rapture will be very crowded folks. Neither
does Someone Else I know. (Luke 18:8)
Hang in there and Earnestly Contend For The Faith.
Messengers of Christ Ministries
Exposing Deception in Politically Correct Churches"
Web Page: http://cnview.com/ |