Insult Islam, get sent to prison?

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

You're right. I'm just using that as an example. If a preacher, speaker, or author were to intentionally use inflammatory rhetoric against the Islamic community that insights outrage, I think he bares some responsibility for those words.

I believe you should be free to say what you like... but one has to be responsible for the words one uses. Especially right now with the religious tension in the Muslim community. This is especially true for preachers and Christians, we're not talk-radio shock jocks, we're supposed to be preachers of truth and grace.

Just my take on things bro.

The problem is is that WHO defines what is inflammatory? There is a difference between being inflammatory and saying something that causes others to resort to violance etc etc..if you say what you believe is the truth about Islam and Muhammed, in Australia...if a Muslim hears and complains, you can be prosecuted.

That is why this whole issue is so subjective and dangerous

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by ChTatum

I have often used the word "homosexual", but taught our people that if open homosexuals come in, we still love the sinner while not condoning the sin. There is a difference.

Scripture teaches us how God feels about sin, that it separates us from relationship with Him, but yet we see Jesus loving the adulteress, while not condoning sin.

This is still the responsibility of those whe represent Jesus today.

Amen.

Now let's translate the same line of reasoning to the one walking in the darkness of Islam. I've often thought that the anger and angst in the soul of so many Muslims might be a heart screaming, yearning, and begging for a savior. Their religion makes it so hard... and then they're told that if they die for their faith they'll instantly go to Heaven. How horrible it must be to know that you need a savior that bad...but be told that your only realistic hope of making it is blowing yourself up.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Oh... where can I find a recipe for a good veggie dip? They're having this "Super Bowl" party at work and everyone is supposed to bring something. If I make it halal I can say that I have not tried to hijack the thread.

lol

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Amen. Now let's translate the same line of reasoning to the one walking in the darkness of Islam. I've often thought that the anger and angst in the soul of so many Muslims might be a heart screaming, yearning, and for a savior. Their religion makes it so hard... and then they're told that if they die for their faith they'll instantly go to Heaven. How horrible it must be to know that you need a savior that bad...but be told your only realistic hope of making it is blowing yourself up.

The anger that is in a lot of them is actually there because of what THEY were preached...inflammatory and hateful rhetoric about Jews, Americans, Westerners and even Christians.

But they are not all that angry but are still opinionated about Western culture...hey Im opinionated about western culture, but I don't want the Muslims to impose Islamic culture and law on me

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Well you said we don't get our ques from gays....so we don't call them gay because that would be taking a que from gays. We don't get it from the bible because the bible is inflammatory.

Call them "homo-sexuals"? were do we get that que from?

If they are fine with queers then queers is not inflammatory...what do we call them?!?!

BTW when I speak of burning fags I really am talking about a bundle of sticks on fire.

Hey bro, it's all about what's down in your heart. If you feel comfortable using that language, that's between you and the Lord. However, if you're preaching, bro... have mercy on families that believe in old fashioned Christian decency. Don't put me in a position to have to discipline my son for using terms he hears you use over the pulpit, because bro... that just isn't right.

Remember when Christian men of God were gentlemen who spoke with dignity? They knew how to make their point clear without pejoratives. Do you think a preacher should call unsubmitted women "b--ches" or prostitutes "sl-ts" over the pulpit? Of course not. But it's POPULAR and acceptable to use those terms because we've lost sight of what it means to be full of grace. We cheer the man with the Oz complex in pulpit because he's directing those words at people that we've been conditioned to hate... and we shout in support of him for his approval. Bro... I guess I'm old fashioned.

[ChTatum]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Amen.

Now let's translate the same line of reasoning to the one walking in the darkness of Islam. I've often thought that the anger and angst in the soul of so many Muslims might be a heart screaming, yearning, and begging for a savior. Their religion makes it so hard... and then they're told that if they die for their faith they'll instantly go to Heaven. How horrible it must be to know that you need a savior that bad...but be told that your only realistic hope of making it is blowing yourself up.

Good post. I "try" to make it a point to never belittle one's previous religious beliefs. We have OP's, or OA's, who condemn each other to hell over minutae. I see my job as a preacher and pastor to not condemn folks to hell, but to try to keep them from going there.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The problem is is that WHO defines what is inflammatory? There is a difference between being inflammatory and saying something that causes others to resort to violance etc etc..if you say what you believe is the truth about Islam and Muhammed, in Australia...if a Muslim hears and complains, you can be prosecuted.

That is why this whole issue is so subjective and dangerous

I see the danger in it. But think about it. Let's say I live in a country that is 30-40% Muslim and I get on the radio or write an article scathingly denouncing them as a whole for the actions of a few. If it insights them to violence, certainly they should be brought to justice for the violence they perpetrate... but I think I bare some responsibility for the words I used... especially if people died.

It's kind of like this... I'm not allowed to scream "FIRE" in a crowded mall or air port. If I did, I can be charged. I'm responsible for the words I use even if others overreact. I can't say, "Hey officer, I just yelled it as I saw it. It's their fault they trampled that three year old to death."

Our words have power and we are responsible for how we use them.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The anger that is in a lot of them is actually there because of what THEY were preached...inflammatory and hateful rhetoric about Jews, Americans, Westerners and even Christians.

Yes, every false religion needs someone to demonize to mobilize the faithful. But here's the deal, they're given such a hard way to live it's easy to point at us and then convince them that their best hope for heaven is to die trying to kill us. Look at it... these people buy into the hate and listen to the promises of Paradise and blow themselves up to kill us. That's a soul desperate for a savior. If they had a savior... they'd realize that there's no need to hate... and that dying to kill is no way to go to Heaven.

Just my take on things bro.

But they are not all that angry but are still opinionated about Western culture...hey Im opinionated about western culture, but I don't want the Muslims to impose Islamic culture and law on me

Bro... you're sounding like that gay man who doesn't want Christian culture imposed on him.

I'm just saying we need to calm down and loose the rhetoric. We're responsible for what we say. We need to start teaching and exemplifying mutual respect. We are commanded to be holy and to live peaceably with all men.

[ChTatum]

I will never forget going to a co-worker's revival at a Baptist church. The preacher began a diatribe of how Pentecostal's were "so wrong". When he went negative, I shut him down in my mind. I do not remember one word he said after that.

While I would prefer to believe that I am "special" and "unique", the truth is if I reacted that way, how can I expect those of a different belief system to behave any differently?

If I begin to attack their beliefs, they have a natural tendency to shut me out, and either walk out, or shut down in their minds. Their body may be there, but they are not listening.

I prefer to use Acts 19, I refer to the majority of Christiainty as "believers" or "disciples" who have never heard of the baptism of the Spirit, and encourage them to ask God for the same experience. Once they receive it, I point out how believers who received it without being baptized in the Name of Jesus, then were.

It works.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Hey bro, it's all about what's down in your heart. If you feel comfortable using that language, that's between you and the Lord. However, if you're preaching, bro... have mercy on families that believe in old fashioned Christian decency. Don't put me in a position to have to discipline my son for using terms he hears you use over the pulpit, because bro... that just isn't right.

Remember when Christian men of God were gentlemen who spoke with dignity? They knew how to make their point clear without pejoratives. Do you think a preacher should call unsubmitted women "b--ches" or prostitutes "sl-ts" over the pulpit? Of course not. But it's POPULAR and acceptable to use those terms because we've lost sight of what it means to be full of grace. We cheer the man with the Oz complex in pulpit because he's directing those words at people that we've been conditioned to hate... and we shout in support of him for his approval. Bro... I guess I'm old fashioned.

what word did old timers use for "gays"? If you are going to refer to a topic or a segment of society at some point you have to use words. What words do we use that won't offend someone? What if adulterers becomes offensive?

You said we don't take our ques from gays. We don't take it from the bible. Where do we take our ques from when it comes to what word to use for them? Catamites? Do we use words that won't offend gays? If so then we are taking our ques from them. That is fine too, but don't say we don't take ques from them lol.