That Charlie Brown Moment in Church...

As of last night I am somewhat dismayed at the fact that, no matter how many times I proclaim the same truths to people, there will always be those who are vastly more concerned with my delivery style than they are that I am actually speaking the truth. No matter how much I try to temper the truth with solemnity, humor or compassion, the authoritative nature of the Truth itself is indigestible to these people. They hear it and either don't fully understand it or they just refuse to accept it.

Sorry folks, I refuse to dilute the truth at the cost of losing pieces of it in a quagmire of political-correctness and namby-pambyism. You know what you get from me because I refuse to mince words. Part of the clarity of the Scriptures is its authority and directness. Where I see direct contradiction to Scripture you can be assured that I will call that error out in a manner compelled by the Spirit and correct it.

If it be a rebuke in love, so be it. We’re are called to discern the truth through adherence to Scripture, not through our emotions or what we think we’re hearing. Our emotions and thinking have been twisted by The Fall and cannot be trusted detached from Scripture, not even for a moment without risk of going completely rogue almost instantly. We are always being held accountable either by direct measure to God’s word, by God himself or by our immediate brethren present when we speak.  I believe this is at the core of many problems in our churches.

(1) Too many people are too easily offended. We must often divest ourselves of the entitlement mentality that allows us to be offended. If we offend easily it assumes (a) we believe we are right separate from Scripture and (b) It assumes we are ‘above’ the fray. In other words we must give up our right to say that we shouldn’t be allowed to be offended. If we are clearly wrong, we need correction and if that correction offends, than that person is not wise. Sin is clouding their vision. The Bible clearly states these facts in Proverbs.

(2) Too many churches water-down their Scriptural teachings (or change or abandon them completely) so not to offend. Please understand the reason people are offended by the authoritative truth of Scripture is their sin. Sin in both thinking and action. Their minds and bodies are both at enmity with God. This cannot happen without the risk of losing the Gospel message completely.

Bottom-line: We must never forget that the Devil and the powers and principalities walk into (infiltrate) our churches each and every day. If we do not figure out when, how and where, we allow them to set up shop and squat without our permission and without identifying them. In this manner these dirtbag gain a foothold. Once they establish that presence in either our lives, families or churches…they are virtually impossible to dislodge because their putrefying claws dig in deep.

**Sigh** Feeling exceptionally disappointed today.

Understanding Islam XXXIV: A Strange, Redacted, Illogical Qur’an, Part 2

The Qur’an, Allah’s supposed final revelation, according to Islam, is transcendent, and consequently, beyond the capacity for conjecture, or criticism. What this means is that the Qur'an which we possess today is and has always been final and pure, which prohibits any possibility for verification or falsification of the text…even though I can prove it is in error which I just did.

There are known variations of the Qur’an that are theologically contradicting to other Qur'an even though Uthman ibn Affan attempted to have nearly all the extant copies destroyed. The official stance of Islam is that the extant copies are either invalid or forgeries even though most Muslim scholars will acknowledge their existence and validity and claim to true Islamic truth. What the hadith show is that because of infighting in the first century after Muhammad's death, there was no written copies of the Qur'an immediately following Muhammad's passing but once they were written, two major versions existed within 100 years and they were radically different. Although there was a concerted effort to destroy the radically different extant copies were….That is why the printing of the Qur'an is now controlled governmentally. The last official printing that I am aware of is Egyptian from 1924.

We also know from Islamic documented accounts in the Hadith that some pieces of the Qur'an were lost because some of the sole people that remembered them were killed in skirmishes and battles following Muhammad's death. That is why extant copies were collected and made into the Qur'an by later leaders. When those that collected them tried to corroborate the texts and unify them there were a few that refused and they were summarily beaten to get them to try and give them up.

Furthermore there are Islamic palimpsest that exist that have distinct variations between earlier writings that have left indentations but were erased right on the vellum and the text on the face of the palimpsest. There is hard empirical and obvious editing under black light or ultraviolet light. Not corrections...but rather intentional editing or redaction. It was either done to cover and inconsistency or correct a previous error. Considering the Qur’an is supposed to be the eternal inerrant word of Allah, there is an inherent problem here for Muslims.

The irony is this. Most knowledgeable Islamic scholars and Imam are very aware of these issues. The Islamic commoner is not. Yet the official line is that the Qur’an as the perfect revelation of Allah is maintained…even when it is known there are redactions. What then are we to do with the problems which do exist in the Qur'an? If it is such a transcendent book, as Muslims claim, then it should stand up to any criticism. Yet, what are we to do with the many contradictions, the factual errors and bizarre claims it makes?

Understanding Islam XXXIII: A Strange, Redacted, Illogical Qur’an, Part 1

One of my largest proofs that the Qur’an and therefore Islam is in error and contradictory is not in any particular verse but encompasses the entire Qur’an as a holistic whole. It is the claims that Islam makes about the Qur’an as a whole that are illogical. In the end my apologetic against the Qur’an (ironically and literally) comes down to an issue of semantics. Although semantics in most situations is petty stuff, when it comes to the revealed word or supposed revelation of a god, it becomes critical. It is critical because it is solely through words that the Islamic god chose to reveal himself to the Muslim. [[This in contrast to Christianity and the true God who chose to reveal himself through His Word and His Son in what is called Special Revelation (which Islam denies)]]. I digress….on with the post.

The Arabic word Qur'an is derived from the root qara'a, which means “to read” or “to recite.” This was the command which the angel Gabriel supposedly asked Muhammad three times to do when he confronted him in July or August 610 A.D. in the Hira cave, situated three miles north-east of Mecca (Mishkat IV p.354). According to Muslims the Qur'an is the final revelation from Allah. In Arabic the Qur'an is also referred to as Al-Kitab (the book), Al-furqan (the distinction), Al-mas'haf (the scroll), and Al-dhikr (the warning), as well as other names. Islam will claim the Qur'an is an exact word-for-word copy of God's final revelation, which is on the original tablets that have always existed in heaven. The original language of the Qur’an in Heaven is therefore Arabic. This of course begs the question: How can an eternal document that has always existed exist in a derivative form of other Semitic languages? Tablets which I might add have never been created but in actuality are divine and transcendent.

Therefore that which is divine in Islam is therefore limited to a finite language which clearly draws on preexisting Semitic norms of language. People always ask me to prove the contradictions of the Islamic belief system. Well, here’s another one to chew on. It is logically and chronologically untenable to support this Islamic claim about the Qur’an and the Arabic language needing to be the only language used to write the Qur’an (due to its supposed divine nature). Muslims continue to believe that the exact Arabic words which we find in the Qur'an are those which exist eternally on the original stone tablets, in heaven since eternity past. This, according to them, makes the Qur'an of ultimate importance as it derives from the “Mother of books” (Dura 43:3-4). This claim is clearly untenable and easily proven false as I do below.

Islam makes a claim to the “pure” nature of the Arabic that the Qur’an is written in hence the need to only translate it in Arabic. Arthur Jeffery, in his book Foreign Vocabulary of the Qur’an gathered some 300 pages documenting over one-hundred (non-Arabic) words, many of which had to have been used in pre-Qur'anic Arabic (Jeffery 1938, p79). One must wonder why these words were borrowed, as it puts doubt on whether “Allah's language” was sufficient enough to explain and reveal all that Allah had intended.

Some of these words in the Qur’an? Egyptian words: Pharaoh, in the Qur'an 84 times. Acadian words: Adam and Eden which are repeated 24 times. Assyrian words: Abraham. The correct Arabic equivalent would be Abu Raheem. Persian words: Haroot and Maroot are Persian names for angels. Sirat meaning “the path” has the Arabic equivalent, Altareeq. Hoor meaning “disciple” has the Arabic equivalent, Tilmeeth. Jinn meaning “good or evil demons” has the Arabic equivalent, Ruh. Firdaus meaning “the highest or seventh heaven" has the Arabic equivalent, Jannah. Hebrew words: Heber, Sakinah, Maoon, Taurat, Jehannim, Tufan (deluge) are all Hebrew. Greek words: Injil, which means “gospel” was borrowed, yet it has the Arabic equivalent Bisharah. Iblis is not Arabic, but a corruption of the Greek word Diabolos …and the list goes on.

Understanding Islam XXXII: How to Read An Islamic Source Texts for Sharia

Because I want people to validate what I am saying I want them to view the Islam source texts for themselves. As such I will now provide a quick tutorial on how to do so. This to avoid being called a liar or manipulator by Islamic sympathetics or Islamic apologists. A classic Sharia law text is the “Reliance of the Traveler” which I’ve cited and mentioned in past posts. It is so authoritative it has actually been certified as accurate by five of the greatest Islamic scholars of today. It is a 1,200 page book, written in the fourteenth century, devoted to such subjects as political control of non-Muslims, prayer, jihad, wills and estates, punishment, court rules, and land use. It covers legalities AND theology.
A typical paragraph:

8.0 APOSTASY FROM ISLAM

8.1 When a person who has reached puberty and is sane, voluntarily apostatizes from Islam, he deserves to be killed.

[Bukhari 9,83,17] Muhammad: “A Muslim who has admitted that there is no god but Allah and that I am His prophet may not be killed except for three reasons: as punishment for murder, for adultery, or for apostasy.”

The “08.1” is an index number in the Sharia law text, The Reliance of the Traveler. The text is divided into divisions— a, b, c, etc. This particular law is found in division 0; section 8; subsection 1. With the index number, 08.1, you can refer directly to the source which is The Reliance of the Traveler. In the example above we not only have the law, apostates (people who leave Islam) should be killed, but we have the supporting doctrine found in a hadith, a sacred text used along with the Qur’an. A hadith is what Muhammad did or said. This particular hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, one of the six canonical hadith collections of Sunni Islam.

These prophetic traditions, or hadith, were collected by the Muslim scholar Muhammad ibn Ismail al-Bukhari about 200 years after Muhammad died and compiled during his lifetime. It is the most authoritative of all the collections. Notice the index number— 9,83,17. This reference number is like a chapter and verse index so that you can go and read the original. All of the hadith, including Bukhari, can be found on many Internet sites. Go look at them yourself.

Here is a Sharia law supported by the Qur’an

9.0 JIHAD

Jihad means war against Kafirs to establish Islam.

Qur’an 2: 216 You are commanded to fight although you dislike it. You may hate something that is good for you, and love something that is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not.

Above, we have the Sharia text defining what jihad is and then the foundational reference for the authority is provided. Again, you can verify the accuracy of my statements about the Qur’an verses and the original reference, 09.0, in the Reliance of the Traveller by using it as a cross-reference. There is one last type of reference to a supporting document.

Understanding Islam XXXI: Sharia and the Destruction of Culture & The Arts

This post is for all of my artistic and musical friends. If I understand Islam correctly, true Muslims would be content making the world a monochrome and monotonous hell. In Sharia the free expression of idea and art must conform to Sharia demands. Islam has a lot to say about music, dance and other arts. Among other things, it is unlawful in Islam to use musical instruments. It is unlawful under Sharia to use of listen to lutes, cymbals or flutes. It is allowed to use tambourines at weddings or circumcisions. Oh…beating a drum is not allowed either. Islam is not misunderstood… it is militaristically draconian.

Making an image/icon is prohibited and punishment is severe (usually death). Hence the fact that Islam forbids anyone from making an image of Muhammad and creating depictions of Allah. Nor is one allowed to imitate the creative acts of Allah. Essentially people are not allowed to be creative.

Bukhari 7.72.843 ~ Narrated Salim's father: Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet but he delayed and the Prophet got worried about that. At last he came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, "We do not enter a place in which there is a picture or a dog."

Make a picture and you’re going to Hell, no questions asked.

Bukhari 8.73.130 ~ As narrated by Aisha (Muhammad’s 6 year old wife): The Prophet entered upon me while there was a curtain having pictures (of animals) in the house. His face got red with anger, and then he got hold of the curtain and tore it into pieces. The Prophet said, "Such people as paint these pictures will receive the severest punishment on the Day of Resurrection."

All writing must submit to Sharia. If you offend Islam it is permitted to kill or assassinate you. Just go ask Salman Rushdie. Historically Muhammad often killed artisans, intellects and poets.

Understanding Islam XXX: Sharia and the US Constitution Are Antithetical

When I’ve posted on Islam…this is the topic that gets under people’s skin the most. It negatively impacts not only believers but non-believers also. I believe it is because, as Americans, we hold the founding principles of this once great nation in very high regard. Dare I say many view the US Constitution as almost sacred even though it really isn’t. It is just a surprising fair and balanced documents. Regardless, what I am about to type infuriates people and in a way…I understand why.

Islam is a religion and under 1st Amendment rights every Muslim has the right to worship as they wish in the US. To deny Islam this right is unconstitutional. It is misunderstood though that because Islam often presents itself as a purely religious entity we must always cater to their every whim. Untrue. Islamic public prayer is a political demand.  Islam expects the State to serve its need, not vice versa. When Muslims shanghai streets in prayer it appears religious but it is in reality a political statement. This is Sharia. Demand for Islamic prayer in public schools (in light of the fact Christian prayer is frowned upon) is in reality imposing Sharia.

There is a difference in Islam between ease of prayer (darura) and demand/necessity of it as dictated in the Qu’ran and Hadith (called tayseer). The truth is Kafir or non-Muslims do not need to give political concessions to religious demands. It is outlined within their own holy writ this way. Sharia has two dualistic principles when it comes to Islam being under duress or needing to use dissimulation (Al-Taqiyya). When Islam cannot practice pure Sharia Islam lightens the demands in Sharia. It is called darura which means “to make easy” and it is a form of al-Taqiyya. When environments do not allow pure sharia to be used Muslims are NOT obligated to pray five times a day and they CAN eat pork. In other words, on a whim, Muslims can decide that which is forbidden can be become permitted without fault to them. That means halal (Sharia food laws) can be ignored at least temporarily whenever they deem it necessary. If a Muslim cannot pray on a prayer rug in school or State buildings then it CAN be done later without being disobedient to Allah.

In other words: If a Muslim cannot pray in the street, school or a government building, it can be done later. This means that when Islam insists on these things they are “wants” not “necessities” or required by Islamic belief. That means when a Muslim forces Sharia into the US legal system claiming discrimination they are fraudulently forcing unnecessary Sharia politically into the US judicial system. Therefore their actions are deliberate meant to undermine the system.

Sharia lays out the complete strategy for immigration into a Kafir nation like America. Sharia demands the enforcing of Sharia in a host nation by parasitic Sharia through things like al-Taqiyya and dhimmitude. Islam first arrives and announces peaceful intentions with “Abrahamic brothers” the Christians and Jews. They “build bridges” to the non-Muslim community. Once entrenched via size of populations/electorates they begin to place political Sharia demands on the system even though religiously they aren’t required to. Once people resist they are labelled bigots, racist and anti-Muslim. Most often these communities know nothing of the dualistic nature of Islam. Non-Muslims believe if they are accommodating they will be able to reform Islam and bring them around to a democratic way of life. If that was the case Islam would’ve assimilated to Western civilization over the last 1400 years. We need to allow history to be a teacher here. Sharia cannot be reformed. Islam views the US Constitution inferior/subordinate to the political authority of Sharia.

Let that sink in.

Let us be brutally clear here: Article 6 of the US Constitution says that the Constitution is the highest law of the land and cannot be subjugated to any other legal code. It is the rudimentary claim of Sharia that it will be the highest law of any land until all are converted, enslave or killed. When we say Islam can be integrated into the American system those stating that fact are either ignorant simpletons or they are being deceptive liars. Sharia is completely incompatible with the US Constitution. Sharia’s political component must be accommodated or it is not real Sharia.

Understanding Islam XXIX: Muslim Pirates (Proof Texts)

Muslims obeying the Qur’an and Hadith are essentially practicing piracy.

Bukhari 4.53.351 ~ Muhammad: “Allah has made it legal for me to take spoils of war.”

Qur’an 8: 41 Know that a fifth of all your spoils of war belong to Allah, to His messenger, to the messenger’s family, the orphans, and needy travelers.

Martyrdom or death in Jihad is adherently encouraged in Islam.

Bukhari  1.2.35 ~ Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The person who participates in (Holy battles) in Allah's cause and nothing compels him to do so except belief in Allah and His Apostles, will be recompensed by Allah either with a reward, or booty (if he survives) or will be admitted to Paradise (if he is killed in the battle as a martyr). Had I not found it difficult for my followers, then I would not remain behind any sariya going for Jihad and I would have loved to be martyred in Allah's cause and then made alive, and then martyred and then made alive, and then again martyred in His cause."

Quran 61:10 ~ “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions [through Jihad], even if those who associate partners with God hate it.”

For those that think I am “extremely prejudiced” against Islam which I’ve been very recently accused of I present links to online sources to review my citations. Go do your homework people and shut-up…and stop murdering my character. It’s unbiblical. I’m trying to warn you of an obvious truth you are blind to and you are attacking me instead of the real enemy.

Understanding Islam XXVIII: Sharia & Warlike Martyrdom (Proof Texts)

As I said before, Jihad is Sharia. Sharia is political. Jihad is war against non-Muslims. Therefore Jihad is a political war masked under the guise of religion perpetrated on all non-Muslims with the intent to either force submission, conversion or death. There are no other options.

Qur’an 2: 216 ~ “You are commanded to fight although you dislike it. You may hate something that is good for you, and love something that is bad for you. Allah knows and you do not.”

Qur’an 4: 89 ~ “They would have you become Kafirs like them so you will all be the same. Therefore, do not take any of them as friends until they have abandoned their homes to fight for Allah’s cause [jihad]. But if they turn back, find them and kill them wherever they are.”

This is the long and short of Jihad. The entire non-Muslim world must submit to Islam. Kafirs or non-Muslims are the enemy of Islam simply by not being Muslims. This means that violence and terror are sanctioned by the Qur’an and is intrinsic to Islam. As an Imam has recently said on Fox news the entire world can have peace from Islam…as long as everyone in the world submits is Sharia and Allah. Until the last Kafir submits Allah’s rule over their life, Jihad is eternal and universal. It is commanded of all who are Muslim. Period.

In other words Jihad is obligatory of all Muslims.

Bukhari 4.52.96 ~ Muhammad: “Anyone who arms a jihadist is rewarded just as a fighter would be; anyone who gives proper care to a holy warrior’s dependents is rewarded just as a fighter would be.”

Bukhari 4.52.142 ~ Muhammad: “To battle Kafirs in jihad for even one day is greater than the entire earth and everything on it. A spot in Paradise smaller than your riding crop is greater than the entire earth and everything on it. A day or a night’s travel in jihad is greater than the entire world and everything on it."

Qur’an 4:95 Believers who stay at home in safety, other than those who are disabled, are not equal to those who fight with their wealth and their lives for Allah’s cause [jihad].