Here's yet another example of reaching out to Muslims and I predict, it will not be enough. A Catholic Bishop in the Netherlands is encouraging churches to refer to God as "Allah" to ease tensions with Muslims.
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column about my fatigue at seeing people, governments, and nations succumbing to the ever-growing demands of Muslims. Here in America, we have bent over backwards to accommodate Muslim traditions at the expense of our own. We have given them special treatment no other group would receive without criticism, and even lawsuits.
I concluded that most succumb for fear of reprisals that include possible violence. There is precedent.
The column in question was about Geert Wilders of the "right-wing Freedom Party" in the Netherlands who called for a ban on the Qu'ran. According to the piece I cited, "He would also outlaw the book's use in the mosque and at home. Mr Wilders says the Qu'ran (Koran) is a fascist book which promotes violence and is similar to Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf."
I was called intolerant and even a racist by people both in the Netherlands as well as here in America. I predicted Mr. Wilders would subsequently have problems buying a life insurance policy after his remarks, and sure enough, he received the customary death threats.
If the lesson wasn't clear enough, here's another pending example where someone will reach out to Muslims and I predict, it will not be enough….
Bishop urges Christians to use 'Allah'
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, Aug. 15 - A Dutch Catholic bishop said churches in the Netherlands should use the name Allah for God to ease tensions between Muslims and Christians. The Rev. Tiny Muskens, bishop of Breda, told the Dutch TV program "Network" Monday he believes God doesn't mind what he is called, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported.
The Almighty is above such "discussion and bickering," he insisted. Muskens cites as examples Christians in the Middle East and Indonesia, where he served 30 years ago, who also use the term Allah for God, NewNetwork reported Wednesday.
"Someone like me has prayed to Allah yang maha kuasa (Almighty God) for eight years in Indonesia and other priests for 20 or 30 years," Muskens said. "In the heart of the Eucharist, God is called Allah over there, so why can't we start doing that together?"
However, a survey published today in the Netherlands' largest newspaper, De Telegraaf, percent of the more than 4,000 people polled oppose the bishop's view, the Associated Press reported.
Read the whole story here.
Let's not forget there have been many published accounts over the years of Muslims demanding the right to exercise their religion when they deem necessary in our countries, while detaining Christians attempting to bring a Bible into theirs. We've read the stories of persecution of those who convert to another religion from Islam. We've read the stories of missionaries who've been killed for spreading their religion in those nations, while we read about those who believe their religion must
reign supreme over our laws here.
I would hope the Reverend Tiny Muskens, bishop of Breda, understands that saying the name of Allah in his church will not be a welcome gesture. Not welcomed because it will not be enough. It never is. I'll be proven wrong when the gesture is returned in kind.
Funny how the news report says, "Muskens thinks it could take another 100 years, but eventually the name Allah will be used by Dutch churches, promoting rapprochement between the two religions."
Muskens need be reminded Muslims always demand things now.
Instead of insisting on assimilation, we are continuing to succumb to political correctness and fear of violence. Look online for pictures of protests. Please show me one picture where after a Muslim group receives what they want, they say "Thank you." I haven't seen it and I've been looking.
No good deed goes unpunished, and the very people seeking to get along will be the very people who will be targeted next because they show weakness. I hope Reverend Muskins doesn't learn this lesson the hard way, but some things never change.
bob@blackandright.us
http://blackandright.us/
Read more articles by Bob Parks
This Catholic Bishop must be totally Biblically illiterate. He says that “he believes God doesn't mind what he is called” and “the Almighty is above such ‘discussion and bickering’.”
The Bible says that God’s name is terrible (awesome) and holy.
Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. – Psalm 99:3
It is an abomination to call God “Allah” and this is further evidence that the Catholic Church is pretty much apostate.
Comment by freedom360 | August 22, 2007
freedom360:
I agree with you except where you say that "the Catholic Church is pretty much apostate". One bishop doesn't make the whole Church. Example: a few years ago, the bishop of Sri Lanka was excommunicated for erroneous teachings.
If this story is true, the bishop in question needs to be taken to the woodshed by the pope because it does matter what we call God. Allah and God have two different natures. They are not the same thing.
Comment by sedonaman | August 22, 2007
On this occasion, I will let Albert Schweitzer comment on my behalf. Even in his day, he detected this ridiculous idea that we ought to ‘respect’ the opinions of others, no matter how ‘intellectually challenged’ those opinions may be.
This is what Schweitzer said: “Today it is the rule – and no one questions it – always to take into account the views which prevail in organized society …. This kind of intercourse, in which we mutually abjure our natural qualities as thinking beings, is euphemistically described as respect for other people’s convictions, as if there could be any convictions at all where there is no thought.”
I love that – “as if there could be any convictions at all where there is no thought.”
Joseph BH McMillan http://www.freedomvrights.com
Comment by Joseph BH McMillan | August 23, 2007
sedonaman,
My statement about Roman Catholicism apostasy is derived from numerous issues within the religion. Ecumenicalism/ecumenism, false teaching/doctrines within the Church, papal worship, and other such things renders the RCC outside of Biblical Christianity. I'm not looking to start a religious debate here, but I will point out that this Bishop's encouragement of calling God "Allah" isn't completely surprising considering the other issues they are compromising.
Comment by freedom360 | August 23, 2007
freedom360:
"…considering the other issues they are compromising. "
What issues, and how are they being compromised?
Comment by sedonaman | August 24, 2007
Joseph BH McMillan:
The part of Schweitzer's quote, “Today it is the rule – and no one questions it – always to take into account the views which prevail in organized society …. " has been an attribute of society probably since societies have existed because everyone wants to feel like they belong. This attribute is the theme of the famous story The Emperor's New Clothes. What is amazing is that a person’s views actually don’t take into account the views which prevail in society but what he thinks prevails in society.
Comment by sedonaman | August 24, 2007
sedonaman,
Other than the initial ones that I listed, Mariology is a prominent heresy. The idea that Mary is "the Mediatrix" and her "perpetual virginity" flies in the face of Scripture. The RCC also teaches that Mary is the "Queen of Heaven" and is co-redemptress with Christ.
Comment by freedom360 | August 24, 2007