Monday December 14, 2009 ~
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LifeWay Research just released some new data from a survey of Protestant pastors concerning their views of Islam. You can find the story at the Christian Post, where we will be releasing research of interest to the broader Christian community.
Here are some excerpts:
Two-thirds of Protestant pastors believe Islam is a dangerous religion, according to survey results just released by LifeWay Research.
While opinions vary widely based on factors such as denominational affiliation and political ideology, the survey of more than 1,000 Protestant pastors found 45 percent strongly agree with the statement "I believe Islam is a dangerous religion," and 21 percent agree somewhat.
Ed Stetzer, president of LifeWay Research, said American Protestant pastors' agreement that Islam is dangerous could speak to various issues, however, "in one sense, Protestant pastors are a competing religion, so we should not be completely surprised by their concerns about Islam."
Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research, said LifeWay Research decided to ask this question after European headlines used the phrase "dangerous religion" to describe results drawn from a 2008 study across 21 European countries that found an "overwhelming majority" of people believe immigration from predominantly Muslim countries poses a threat to Europeans' traditional way of life.
"It appears that Protestant pastors in America are overwhelmingly willing to use that phrase and cite Islam as a 'dangerous religion,'" McConnell said.
Additionally, a study by the Pew Research Center found that 38 percent of all Americans say Islam is more likely to encourage violence than other religions. However, studies also indicate a need for interaction. For example, data from the Gallup Muslim-West Dialogue Index shows that when given the option of labeling greater interaction between Muslim and Western worlds a threat or a benefit, 70 percent of Americans call it a benefit.
"It's important to note," Stetzer pointed out, "our survey asked whether pastors viewed Islam as 'dangerous,' but that does not necessarily mean 'violent.' 'Dangerous' can be defined in a variety of ways, including from the perspective of spiritual influence. Regardless of the definition, the numbers tell us that Protestant pastors are concerned."
You can read the whole story here at the Christian Post.
Many of you who read this blog are pastors and church leaders. How would you have answered the survey question... and why?
Posted on December 14, 2009 at 4:31 PM ~ 20 Comments
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dangerous, violent, evil, demonic, all of the above. that being said, Jesus loves Muslims, and we must too.
From a statistical standpoint, it was a terrible survey question. As you pointed out in the post, the definition of "dangerous" is extremely subjective, and therefore doesn't produce any worthwhile results.
Actually, Derek, it is a good question when you desire to get at broad perception.
It did just that.
We will be doing some follow-up research that gets at the details.
Ed
The problem with broad research becomes broad interpretation of that research. Which creates false perceptions of the group surveyed. Each level of vagueness creates a greater chance for misinterpretation.
The follow-up research will be interesting, though, that's for sure.
We can't control the interpretation, though we did make clear what was (and was not) asked.
You know, I wonder if any of those pastors even know a Muslim, let alone have Muslims that they would consider friends...
I'm sure the way we feel when we see "christians" blow up abortion clinics or protest at the funerals of dead soldiers is the way most Muslims feel about 9/11 and subsequent events. I go to a Mosque every friday night and have dinner with my Muslim friends and I have found that it is the one percent of Islamic extremists that sadly have made a mark on the American mindset. try this: just type in "Muslims" into Google images and see what comes up. Osama Bin Laden does not speak for my Muslim friends, just like Fred Phelps, Pat Robertson and the like do not speak for me.
Muslims just need to know that we don't hate them, that Jesus is not gunning for America and that there is a place in the kingdom for them too.
When you have an intentionally vague survey, you get intentionally vague results and intentionally vague interpretations that can then be used to mean specifically a great many different things.
Whatever.
Also @ Jordan, unfortunately you're wrong about one thing: They do speak for you. They speak for me too, because their voice is the loudest, their influence is greater.
We're all associated with each other under the same label of Christianity, no matter how different our beliefs are within that label...so whoever can draw the most attention to themselves defines what the label stands for.
Jordon,
A good question.
The real issue for me is, "Why?" Why did the pastors answer this way?
It is easy to complain about Christian leaders-- I do it at times myself.
Yet, the fact remains that 2/3 of Protestant pastors were willing to agree with the statement that "Islam is a dangerous religion."
Fact are our friends... and that fact remains.
Ed
I was born and lived most of my young years in a majority muslim country. I lived among muslims have a lots of friends that are muslims, have great respect for them and have a great heart for them, knowing that God has a plan and a destiny for their lives.
With that said, there is a reality that we can not deny. Islam is not just a religion. It is a culture, it's a world view, it's a way of life. While we (in the west) boast about the separation of Church and State, there is no such separation of Mosque and State in the muslim world view. Some are more radical then others about their world view and islamic laws, but the fact of the matter is every true muslim know that their is only one way to change the world, "convert it to Islam". Obviously the definition of conversion in Islam is a little different then in Christianity or any other religion.
Ed, I think the survey is very interesting and very revealing of the opinion of many pastors, but the question is what does the church believe? What do the majority of christians know and think about Islam?
Perhaps I can suggest a survey or a research that could bring light to the table. There is a population that can help us understand the islamic mindset from a different perspective. Since they have coexisted with muslims for centuries in their own world. I am referring to middle eastern christians.
It would be a good idea to ask them what do they think, what is their opinion and experience. Is Islam a dangerous religion? Why or why not? Nashville has a sizable middle eastern christian population. Might be a good place to start such a research.
Just saying...
Finally I believe with all my heart that God loves muslims and have a plan and a destiny for their lives. May God help us to be catalyst in showing them His love and His plan for their lives.
I think the real danger of Islam is it takes salvation out of the hands of God and puts it in the hands of man.
I'm actually very surprised that the results are that low, at two-thirds.
I think the point of the question is being missed here. The question is not talking about the adherents of the religion, the Muslims, but about the religion/system itself, Islam. If you have taken an Islamic studies course or have read Al-Quran, the Hadiths or Al-Sira (Muhammad's biography) then you understand how dangerous Islam is for non-believers of Islam. Luckily for the world, myself included here in Indonesia, that most Muslims are not strict adherents of Islam or there'd be even more persecution and war going on.
Jesus' mission that we are to join Him on becomes even more important when we realize that one lost group, the Muslims, believe in such a dangerous religion/system, Islam.
Stan in Indonesia
Violence is committed by Christians AND Muslims ... however there is a key difference.
When Christians commit acts of violence they do so in complete and total contradition of the example set by their founder.
When Muslims commit acts of violence, they do so in complete accord with the example set by their founder.
I know very little about the Islam religion, but from I so know, they do not believe that Jesus was sent by God to reconcile Himself to the world and save us from our sins. From a Christian perspective, is there anything more "dangerous" than other religions that proclaim an incorrect "truth"? ----- And first runner-up on the "dangerous religion scale" might be complacent Christians.
Islam is indeed dangerous. It has taken and is taking millions of people captive spiritually. These individuals are under the curse of sin with no hope of salvation as long as they are under its sway.
The question wasn't "do we hate muslims?" it was "do we think Islam is dangerous?" Get a clue it is dangerous in the minds and hearts of radicals and extreemists.
We need to stop thinking that we need to be politically correct and accepting about everything. Get a back bone old guys! Just because we think it's dangerous doesn't make us hate-mongers! God hates sin but he doesn't hate sinners!
The question wasn't "do we hate muslims?" the question was "do we think Islam is dangerous?" Get a clue! It is dangerous in the hearts and minds of radicals and extreemist. We need to stop thinking that we need to be politically correct and accepting about everything or else it makes us hatemongers! God hates sin but loves the sinner and so can we.
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WITH KIND REGARDS
U.IBRAHIM ALI
SOCIAL WORKER
I had a professor in seminary who reminded us that theology is dangerous because about whom we speak, what we speak, and how we speak. I wonder if we see Islam as "dangerous" for similar reasons.
As an inner city pastor in a metropolitan city, I've gotten to know some Islamic followers, and they are committed to their faith, spiritual disciplines, and community. Maybe Islam is "dangerous" because it forces us, as followers of Christ, to examine our traditions, beliefs, personal convictions, and sense of mission.
"Did you think that We had created you in play, and that you would not be returned unto Us?" The noble Qur'an, Al-Muminoon(23):115.
www.learningquranonline.com
What Does "Islam" Mean?
The word "Islam" itself means "Submission to Allah." The religion of Islam is not named after a person as in the case of "Christianity" which was named after Jesus Christ, "Buddhism" after Gutama Buddha , "Marxism" after Karl Marx, and "Confucianism" after Confucius.
Similarly, Islam is not named after a tribe like "Judaism" after the tribe of Judah and "Hinduism" after the Hindus. The Arabic word "Islam" means the submission or surrender of one's will to the will of the only true god worthy of worship, "Allah" (known as God "the Father" in Christianity).
Anyone who does indeed submit to the will of Allah as required by Islam is termed a "Muslim," which means one who has submitted to the will of Allah. Many people in the West have developed the sad misinformed trend of calling Islam "Muhammadenism" and it's followers "Muhammadins." This is a totally foreign word to Muslims and unrecognized by them. No Muslim has ever called his religion "Muhammadenism" or called himself a "Muhammadin."
What Is The Basic Concept of Islam?
Islam teaches us that this life is a life of worship. We are placed on this earth in order to worship Allah and obey His command. During this earthly life we are subjected to a series of trials. We have the option of enduring these trials and conforming to certain laws, and our reward will be great in the next life, or we may decline to endure these trials and choose to not conform to the law, then we will be made to regret it in the next life.
Each person will be solely and completely responsible for their own final reward. We are also told that God has designed these laws to make this life a better, safer, and more tolerable one for us. If we elect to conform to them then we will see the result in this life even before moving on to the next.
We are told that the earthly life is a life of faith and work, and the next life is one of reward and no work. We have been placed on this earth to worship God, fast, pray, be industrious, good, kind, respectful, and a source of uprightness and morality. We are told that God has no need of our worship. Our worship can not increase the kingdom of God nor add to His power, however, it is in our best interests both in this life and the next that we do.
Unlike some other religions which claim that God entered in a covenant with a certain group of people and that this group is genetically better than all other human beings, or closer to God, Islam on the other hand teaches that no color, race, tribe, or lineage is better than any other. Islam teaches that all humans are equal in the sight of Allah and that the only thing that can distinguish them in His sight is their piety and worship.
"O humankind! Verily! We have created you from a male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily! the noblest among you in the sight of Allah is the most God-fearing. Verily! Allah is The Knower, The Aware." The noble Qur'an, Al-Hujrat(49):13.
PLEASE DOWNLOAD FROM WEBSITE WWW.GOLDENDUAS.COM RELATING TO GOLDEN DUAS FROM HOLY QURAN FOR, PEACE, SECURITY, HEALTH AND WEALTH FOR MANKIND. THE SAME MAY BE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL FAMILY MEMBERS, RELATIVES & FRIENDS WHO ARE RESIDING ALL OVER THE WORLD AS PER THE ORDER, GUIDANCE AND DIRECTIONS OF OUR LORD BASED ON THE HOLY QURAN VERSES 2:2, 10:57, 17:11,16 & 39:55&57,65:8
WITH KIND REGARDS
U.IBRAHIM ALI
SOCIAL WORKER