Radical Islam and Global Terrorism
Jun 19, 2015
Recent attacks around the world form
a wave of radical Islamic terrorism that has no precedent in all of
recorded history. The depravity demonstrated has been so extensive as to
horrify the rest of the world. My research has revealed extensive details in
well-documented cases.
The worst of the worst have been the
Islamic State and Boko Haram, whose activities have even caused some al-Quaeda
adherents to back away. These two groups follow a very strict, brutal
application of shari'a law and are absolute monsters on the battlefield. Those
who suffer under them essentially are any who are not part of ISIS, be they
Shi'ites, Sunnis, other branches of Islam, Christians or Westerners. They even
target rulers of Arab nations. From their standpoint there are no
non-combatants, innocent civilians.
Several Arab leaders are calling for
“reform” of Islam as a result of their activities. Egyptian President al-Sisi
stated at Al-Azhar University in January 2015: “We are in need of a religious
revolution. The entire world is waiting for your next move.” He was speaking to
Islamic scholars there and calling out to imams.
The scimitar of Islam is being
wielded to varying degrees over the entire Middle East, Europe and elsewhere in
the world. What we are conducting is not a war on terror as often stated,
rather an all-or-nothing battle against an extremist ideology that considers
terror an acceptable, nay, desirable tactic to be employed.
President Obama erroneously referred
to the Islam of today as a religion of peace, and made reference to the
Crusades as the Christian counterpart of radical Islamic terrorism. Many
Muslims do in fact practice a peaceful version of Islam and are referred to as
moderates.
Many claiming to be Christian in the
Middle Ages went off the rails and left the path taught and exemplified by
Jesus. Notice that the Crusades to which the President was referring occurred
from 1095 to 1291, with occasional expeditions into the 1500s in a brutal
effort to turn back their military advances. The implication of the
President's statements is that somehow misconduct over 500 years ago can
be used to justify misconduct today.
The radicals do have a valid claim,
however, that they follow the form of Islam established and taught by Mohammed.
Mohammed led a militia that turned into a formidable military force. Islam in
the early days, as today owed its rapid spread far more to blood-letting than
it did to the persuasiveness of sacred teachings. There are over 109 surahs
that call for the death of infidels (unbelievers), with the preferred method
being beheading. The doctrine of last mention holds sway: that the later
statement on any matter supersedes any previous. Those who deny this generally
fall into two categories: (1) those who are moderates (much like liberal
Christians, they are more likely to read the books rarely if ever, seldom if
ever attend services, and seldom if ever pray); or (2) choose to follow the
admonition to lie and deceive the infidels.
The Koran’s 164 Jihad
Verses: K 002:178-179, 190-191, 193-194, 216-218,
244; 003:121-126, 140-143, 146, 152-158, 165-167,169, 172-173, 195; 004:071-072,
074-077, 084, 089-091, 094-095,100-104; 005:033, 035, 082; 008:001,
005, 007, 009-010, 012, 015-017, 039-048,057-060, 065-075; 009:005,
012-014, 016, 019-020, 024-026, 029,036, 038-039, 041, 044, 052, 073, 081,
083,086, 088, 092, 111, 120, 122-123; 016:110; 022:039, 058, 078;
024:053, 055; 025:052; 029:006, 069; 033:015, 018,
020, 023, 025-027, 050; 042:039; 047:004, 020, 035; 048:015-024;
049:015;059:002, 005-008, 014; 060:009; 061:004,
011, 013; 063:004; 064:014; 066:009; 073:020; 076:008.
Space here will not permit an in-depth discussion on each.
Jesus taught strongly against the
use of violent means and in favor of using gentle, loving persuasion.
Christianity bloomed under vicious persecution because the followers of Jesus were
bold and full of courage, embracing martyrdom instead of killing others. Their
God gave Himself up and died for them, rather than demanding they kill others
for Him. All who come to Jesus do so of their own free will, devoid of any form
of coercion.
In light of all the above points,
world leaders should exert all possible influence to support those reformers
within Islam who push for the peaceful aspects of the religion. Good
intelligence and military might alone simply will not accomplish what is required
to turn back the spread of violence. The younger generation of Moslems (other
than the recent recruits to ISIS) to a large degree desire freedom from the
more stifling aspects of Islam. We should encourage them in this regard, as
well as assisting the women in breaking free from the shackles of suppression
that have been their lot for so many generations.
Finally, Christians must actively
support our brothers and sisters who are suffering intense persecution,
particularly in the north of Africa and the Middle East. What they endure
rivals that of the victims of the various barbarian hordes throughout history.
Pray for a great awakening for entire regions. A large number of Muslims are
disgusted by the actions of the radicals and are actively searching for the
truth. As well, a growing number among both moderates and radicals are
experiencing direct face-to-face encounters with angels and Jesus Himself,
immediately turning to follow Him.
As for the fear aspect, followers of
Jesus are commanded 365 times in the Scriptures not to fear anything. That is
once for every day of the year, so the Lord must consider it rather important.
Christian Author - Novelist - Poet
