Muslim Encroachment

[Mongol Servant]

This bit of news came from the American Family Association's website, and is a fair piece of journalism, if there is such a thing:

There has been much screeching in the civil rights world over the decision by 58% of the Swiss to ban the building of any more minarets in their picturesque country.

This is not a ban on mosques, mind you, which can still be built, nor any kind of restriction of freedom of worship for Muslims, who remain at liberty to pray openly towards Mecca to their heart's content.

It turns out that Switzerland is far from alone in nurturing a genuine concern about the tidal wave of Islamic immigration into Europe. Polls have indicated that, by similar margins, residents of a number of European countries have had enough. They recognize that Islam represents a fundamental threat to European culture and values, and they'd like something done about that, since they love their countries as they are, thank you very much.

The solution to this controversy over religious freedom is simple: one of ours for every one of theirs. Every time they let us build a church with a steeple topped with a cross in Saudi Arabia, or Iran, or Afghanistan, they get to build a minaret in the Western country of their choice. And to be sure we keep things fair, every time a church is destroyed in the Arab world, we shut down a mosque over here.

Right now it is a capital crime to openly worship Jesus in Saudi Arabia, and even house churches have been busted up and religious offenders either imprisoned or executed.

So, let's tell the Muslim world: we believe in religious liberty, but you don't. We believe in religious liberty, but we're not saps. Let's have a little reciprocity here. One minaret in the West for every steeple in the Muslim world. How about it?

[Upholder]

The writer of that article raises some very good points. For those who don't know, minarets are spire-like objects that are often built on top of mosques to provide (as a main function, in addition to other functions) a vantage point from which the call for prayer is made (Wikipedia). The religion of Islam is not banned in Switzerland, nor is the building of mosques (there are an estimated 160 mosques and other Muslim buildings in Switzerland). All the Swiss have done is to ban the construction of any more minarets in their country. Even though this decision was reached by a democratic referendum in which 58% of Swiss voters voted in favour of the ban, the ban made headline news around the world, and brought a storm of criticism from much of the media, the UN, and certain so-called "human rights" groups. But what storm of protest do we hear from these same groups over the issue of the worship of Jesus being a crime punishable by death in Saudi Arabia? Hardly a peep. This is a blatant double standard.

Switzerland is a fascinating country. It is a peaceful and prosperous land with a strong Christian heritage, and it has not been in a war since 1815. I wonder if Switzerland would have enjoyed nearly two centuries of peace if it had been a Muslim country?

Here's an English translation of the Swiss national anthem "Schweizerpsalm" (Swiss Psalm):

When the morning skies grow red
And o'er us their radiance shed,
Thou, O Lord, appearest in their light.
When the Alps glow bright with splendour,
Pray to God, to Him surrender,
For you feel and understand,
That He dwelleth in this land.

In the sunset Thou art night
And beyond the starry sky,
Thou, O loving Father, ever near.
When to Heaven we are departing,
Joy and bliss Thou'lt be imparting,
For we feel and understand
That Thou dwellest in this land.

When dark clouds enshroud the hills
And gray mist the valley fills,
Yet Thou art not hidden from Thy sons.
Pierce the gloom in which we cover
With Thy sunshine's cleansing power
Then we'll feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.

Towards us in the wild storm coming,
You yourself give us resistance and stronghold,
You, almighty ruling, rescuing!
During horror and nights of thunderstorms
Let us childlike trust Him!
Yes, we feel and understand;
Yes, we feel and understand
That God dwelleth in this land.

[Mongol Servant]

Amen! The Swiss could teach Americans a few things!

I'd also encourage every person here to get a copy of the book, "Muslim Mafia" and go through it carefully. Some will be shocked at the events and also at how our elected representatives are treating these "lobbying undercover terrorists"!

[Davo]

Well how about this, then?

Quote:The new Bishop for the Armed Forces said today that he was deeply grieved to have caused offence by suggesting that the Taleban could be admired for their religious conviction and loyalty.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk...956017.ece

The Archbishop of Canterbury said on the news that Venner represents him to the armed forces and will not be resigning.

Ahm. Represents him?

[Mongol Servant]

Amen, even so, Come Lord Jesus!

[George]

Mongol Servant Wrote:Amen, even so, Come Lord Jesus!

Come quickly.

[Upholder]

I fail to see how "Bishop" Venner can find anything admirable about the cruel and murderous Taliban. So the members of the Taliban have "conviction to their faith" and a "sense of loyalty to each other"? So what? Hitler's SS had faith in their Fuhrer and a sense of loyalty to each other. They also buchered millions of Jews, Poles, and all manner of other people they didn't like. Mr. Venner would be far better praising the gallantry of the soldiers of his own country rather than expressing admiration for the ruthless insurgents of an enemy nation. Better still, he should be speaking about all mankind's need to trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation from sin. I wonder what the loved ones of the 237 (to date) British service personel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 think of Mr. Venner's remarks? A church leader expressing his admiration for the killers of their husbands, their fathers, and their sons? It's just another reason why many people are so cynical about Christianity these days.

[Davo]

Upholder Wrote:I fail to see how "Bishop" Venner can find anything admirable about the cruel and murderous Taliban. So the members of the Taliban have "conviction to their faith" and a "sense of loyalty to each other"? So what? Hitler's SS had faith in their Fuhrer and a sense of loyalty to each other. They also buchered millions of Jews, Poles, and all manner of other people they didn't like. Mr. Venner would be far better praising the gallantry of the soldiers of his own country rather than expressing admiration for the ruthless insurgents of an enemy nation. Better still, he should be speaking about all mankind's need to trust in the Lord Jesus for salvation from sin. I wonder what the loved ones of the 237 (to date) British service personel killed in Afghanistan since 2001 think of Mr. Venner's remarks? A church leader expressing his admiration for the killers of their husbands, their fathers, and their sons? It's just another reason why many people are so cynical about Christianity these days.

That is true. The CofE gets into all kinds of political and social debate, but you never hear its leaders preaching the gospel. There are some vicars who are evangelical and preach the gospel, but I cannot understand how they can stay in that organisation.