Teaching Beliefs: What is a Belief Worth?

Submitted by M. Tovey (United States), Aug 15, 2007 at 16:15

This discussion, and the many debates elsewhere on this site, indeed in forums elsewhere globally, lead inexorably to the question, what do we believe, and what are we willing to pay to defend that belief?

The contention in this latest exposition is whether or not to allow the establishment of yet another institution, the KGIA, a Madrassah, which is understood to subliminally espouse an ideology that runs counter to the prevailing American realm of western thought, here in the United States of America.

After years and years of having the rights of Americans desiring to express a prevailing Christian perspective in the public places like schools, now being crushed by the efforts of those not desiring a Christian relationship with Jesus Christ, we are now contending with replacing Christianity with Islam. Does that sound extreme? Think again. In Holland, a Roman Catholic cleric has suggested that all refer to the Supreme Deity as allah. It may be not too far in the future where this may become a prevailing thought, here in the United States of America.

There is no mistaking that Islam has made great inroads into the mainstream thinking of American thought. It cannot be helped, for since the time of the Iranian hostage crisis, America has been the target of the Islamic revolution of the ayatollahs since the fall of the Shah. Beirut, the Cole, the Khobar Towers, September 11, 2001, etc., etc., all had to happen before someone recognized we are at war for our ideologies and the conflict that it ensues. Since that time, the influences of Islam and its antipathies against America have been increasing.

So in this wartime situation, what are normal thinking people to make of Madrassahs, as well as other Islamic institutions that form around centers of Islamic thinking such as in Mosques, for they are for instruction in the ways of Islam, and all of its variant forms of thinking. We find here that there are the ‘moderates' who have been soaking up the freedoms of American style liberties on the one hand, to the radicals, who are actively spreading the message of jihad against the very same freedoms that allow them to do so here in the United States of America.

So, in the war on terror, the United States of America, in characteristic fashion, responded to attacks by terrorist proponents of Islam in the only way hostile protagonists against America understand, by blood of battle. But does America do so for what we believe, or for other less honorable reasons. The question is asked, are we to engage in a debate of contravening philosophies here until we cannot anymore? When, as is supposed by so many, does the debate erupt in full Baghdad style?

America has been called a ‘Christian Nation,' more for the precepts set by the founding fathers than the muted failures of proclaiming Jesus Christ as LORD in the public daily life. Under that banner, America is seen by most of the Muslim world as the leading cause for their proclaiming jihad against the United States for America is seen the leading obstacle to bringing the world under complete Islamic influence. Let us not forget the ready inferences always being made to the alliance that Israel maintains with America, one or the other being a pawn of one or the other, and that is cause for fighting them both. That is being taught here in the United States of America.

In all of this fighting, we are drawn to plight of the Korean hostages. They did not go to Afghanistan to fight, but carried with them a message of peace and good will, of salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. Two of these messengers are already with Jesus Christ. What then is the message of those under the control of the Taliban? How do they defend their actions against those who carry messages of peace? Is that truly the way to defend Islam? What are the Taliban, or any with likeminded thinking afraid of, unarmed followers of Jesus Christ? Really, they are afraid of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him, believing the fact of His death on the cross for the sins of the world, of believing in the resurrection that gives eternal life to all who believe, and watching for His eventual return to Jerusalem to rule as King of kings, LORD of Lords.

There will be a time of judgment. But before anyone's acts are to be judged, they are to be questioned on what they believed. Have they believed on the name of Jesus Christ? The Holy Bible says to "believe in Jesus Christ and be saved…" Then all is forgiven. If not, then there is the judgment, which by the way happens very quickly.

So, if allowed to open, will the Madrassah teach a message of peace in the United States? Or, will they teach the messages of submission to their religion, which is what is taught in the Quran. One does not need to be a Muslim to see the answer to that. Observing the strict adherence to the teachings of Islam as eventually required of all Muslims is plain to see where Islam is strictly observed.

It all comes down to what one is willing to believe, and what is that belief worth.

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