I wonder how many of those that responded have studied anything about the Islamic faith. I would assume much of the responses come from ignorance (and by ignorance I mean not knowing, I do not mean stupidity) This is not an attack on you if you agree with the some of the statements.

Christianity could be labled as promoting violence if people only read about and heard about the groups that have killed doctors and workers at abortion clinics or even the groups that haven't done it but support the idea of it.

It really bugs me when survey questions like the ones mentioned encorage black-and-white thinking and blanket statements which can never adequately describe a religion with its many strands and elements and various ways of belief and practice among those who see themselves as believers and followers.

Don't blame the pastors for ignorant statements when the questions themselves don't allow for proper differentiation!

Mr. Willy, you said that "Christianity could be labeled as promoting violence if people only read about and heard about the groups that have killed doctors and workers at abortion clinics..." I think a main difference is that even though radical fringe groups have supported these killings most, if not all, mainstream denominations and churches have condemned the acts. To my knowledge, none of the leaders in the Islamic faith have stood up to condemn terrorist acts in this country or any other.

I do agree with how little most of us actually know about the Islamic faith and would also add that many Christians don't really understand what Christ has called them to do.

Again, let me clarify that I wasn't attacking anyone for their responses(some of the people who gave the responses may be very knowledgeable in the teachings and practices of Islam). I just wonder how many peoples responses were given with out having much background knowledge. I pray my use of the term "ignorance" is not taken as an attack or criticism.

I agree that blanket questions can also impact the type of answers given. I don't believe that fully takes out the impact of someones answers being swayed by them not having enough information.

Thanks, David, for the clarification.

Phone surveys have to be shorter and people always want more details, but you do the best you can in the time you have. Phone surveys should be seen as part of the story, but not the whole story.

Here is how Pew addressed it with "all Americans."

I'm sorry, Ed, but even in a phone survey with very little time for details, questions could have been worded differently to allow for a more nuanced response. Let me suggest a few alternatives:

1. Do you believe that a majority of muslims supports violence in the name of religion?

2. Would you agree with the verdict that the differences between Islam and Christianity are significant enough to describe those different views as "evil" or "dangerous"?

3. From your present knowledge of Islam, does Islam promote values of tolerance and charity?

4. Do you believe that Islam is defined by the Qur'an and the traditions of Muhammad or by current religious authorities and practices?

5. Have you personally studied Islam in depth - superficially - not at all?

Thanks, Josh, some of those are good ideas.

But, we are also comfortable with the questions we asked.

Thanks for the input.

Ed

Interesting stuff, as it often is from these surveys. Two things jump out at me.

The first is that 25% of pastors apparently think that Christians and Muslims pray to the same God. That seems, to me, to go right to the heart of the deity of Christ. The God of Christians is the God of Abraham who was incarnated in Christ. The Muslims reject the incarnation of God in Christ, and therefore reject the God that Christians pray to. I think that is the point of John 8 and Jesus' conversation with the Pharisees. If you accept the God of Abraham then you accept Jesus. If you don't accept Jesus, then you don't accept the God of the Pharisees.

The second interesting thing is that only 40% think Islam is "spiritually evil." Perhaps "spiritually evil" is a little too nebulous, but I would say that any religion that fails to point to Jesus as man's only hope to be right with God is spiritually evil (which is different than morally evil or societally [is that a word?] evil). Or to say it differently, how is a religion that condemns mankind to eternal condemnation for sin anything other than spiritually evil?

I am a Christian and my roommate is a Muslim. We have had many discussions on faith, and we both agree that our religions are fundamentally different on many levels. Through talking to each other we have both solidified our belief that God and Allah are not the same because their characters are described in totally different ways in the Qur'an and in the Bible. As for the "violent" aspects of Islam, I think, yes, there are things in the Qur'an that promote violence, but I also know that many Muslims do not follow those tenets.

The bigger question is not "is Islam a violent religion," but "is violence a fundamental part of Islam, and can true Islam be practiced without adhering to these beliefs?" If the concept of jihad and other violent ideas are indeed core beliefs, then yes, Islam is dangerous, just as so-called Christianity was dangerous in the days when people believed they could earn remission of their sins by fighting in the Crusades.

Even if they aren't core beliefs, I still think Islam (and any other religion/belief that is not centered on Christ) is dangerous, not so much in a physically threatening way, but in a spiritually dangerous sense. Any belief that says that Christ is not essential for salvation is from the devil, and is by very definition evil.

OK, here goes one of those opinions that will offend people: Islam is just one of the many names for satanism. Based on Paul's portrayal of the "gods" others were worshiping as demons, we can only believe that all religions other than Christianity and Judaism are satanic in origin.

Most Christians (and even a large percentage of Muslims) have a poor understanding of Islam, Muhammed, and the Koran. Here are my answers to what I think is being asked in the questions.

1. Is the God of the Jewish and Christian Bibles the same as Allah of the Koran?
Muhammed said that Jews corrupted their scriptures and do not follow Allah. For Christians, Jesus cannot be separated from the triune nature of God, so they are absolutely not the same.

2. Does Allah/Muhammed command his followers to kill Jews, Christians, and unbelievers (including non-combatants) who persecute Muslims in the Koran (2:214)? Yes.
Do Muslims today refer to this command when murdering Jews, Christians, and unbelievers?
Yes.

Does Jesus ever command his followers to kill those who persecute them?
No.

3. Is any religion that denies that Jesus is Christ "spiritually evil?"
Yes.
Does Islam deny that Jesus is Christ?
Yes.

4. Does Islam "promote charity?"
"Zakat" is one of the Five Pillars. It is an obligatory religious tax to help other poor and needy Muslims. "Sadaqat" is voluntary charity that can be given to non-muslims. Going simply by the amounts given, I would say that Islamic countries are not very charitable compared to those where Christianity is the dominant faith: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_charitable_countries

5. Is the religion of Islam "relevant today."
It is extremely relevant. Dangerous, evil, relevant, and in need of the salvation found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

To Regular Guy.

The following link contains numerous statements by moslem leaders from around the world who have condemned terrorism.

http://www.muhajabah.com/otherscondemn.php

Ed, Thanks for this. This is valuable info for us. As a missions pastor who works mainly in Muslim context, my concern is that American pastors, behind the scenes, will share they are either afraid to go to Muslims places or they are afraid to send church members to work among Muslims. Sad but true.

I have heard the argument before that the Muslim groups using and promoting violence are mainly groups who are fighting for national control. So their nationalist agenda is what is driving their violence and they use the Qur'an to promote their agendas. When I think of the regions that have conflict between Muslim groups I can see some validity to the argument. You can see it in Africa, Israeli/Palestinian conflicts, and even the attacks against the U.S. are fueled by American support of Israel. Does anybody have any thoughts on this argument. Do you think violence comes more from nationalist desires or more from the teachings of Islam?

Ken

That is a good point that you made.

We must never let fear(no matter how valid it seems) or our bias, override the fact that people need Jesus Christ. And that applies to every group not just with Muslims.

I think there is a wealth of information from people who lived inside Islam. Their testimonies are in harmony with the results of this survey. Whether pastor's are ignorant of the details of Islamic beliefs doesn't cause a problem when you consider that they are discerning the truth.

Of course, if you have Muslim friends or contacts, by all means, be diligent in learning the details of their culture and religion. Keep in mind, when you talk to Muslims in this country, you are talking to people who are largely liberal or nominal Muslims; comparable to liberal Christians. So they will differ from the core conservative, Quran believing Muslim back in the homelands and they will differ in their actual faith in the teachings.

If you haven't, you must listen to Albert Mohler's: An Interview with the Son of Hamas Mosab Hassan Yousef. http://clicky.me/mohler-hassam

Islam, Christianity and Judaim all point to the same Abraham, and all 3 recognize that Abraham was faithful to his one God. What each does with that fact and subsequent generations develops the differences in the religions. The Jews reject the fact that one of their own (Jesus) could be the Son of that same God. So do Muslims. But what the followers have done in their interpretations of what God requires does not change His nature, even if different cultures call Him by different names (Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, etc.) Whatever you call Him, He is still the God of Abraham, despite what 3/4 of the preachers say.

Mike,

The issue here is not that they call him by different names or that they differ in what he requires, it it?

The issue is that the God of Abraham is Jesus. Those who reject Jesus as God do not believe in the God of Abraham. Isn't it impossible to legitimately read John 8 any other way? Jesus plainly says that those who accept the God of Abraham accept him. And those who reject him are rejecting the God of ABraham.

RE:David Willy's comment:

"Christianity could be labled as promoting violence..."

David - please don't mistake the actions of sinful people, acting in the name of Christ, with who Christ is and what Christ taught.

Christ taught the greatest command is "love your brother". That is how we are known to be His disciples. His Love for us was so great He died for our sins. That is the Love of God - not the hatred of man.

Anyone who kills is not loving his brother, and not following Christ, no matter what "label" he's wearing.

RE: Mike - April 26
"Islam, Christianity and Judaim all point to the same Abraham, and all 3 recognize that Abraham was faithful to his one God..."

Missing the point entirely, your argument is called "syncretism" - mixing distinct things together.

The differentiating question is "Who do you say Christ Jesus is?"

Israel and Islam reject Christ as God. Christ said "...he who rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me"

There is one path to the Father, and it is through the Son.

If you look at Islamic world you can not find democracy and can not tolerate Christian; either they have problem on their Constitution that prevent Christian to build churches or publish Gospel or their people have fanatic back ground, Muslems can not tolerate one of their memebr of family to change to Christanity. There is no Church inside Saudi Arabia and there are other Muslim countries prevent building new churches. If you look at Muslem countries you will see more & more violent attitude they have and can not tolerate to critisize about Islam. In Qu aran ver clearly mention that Marry become pregenant through Holy Spirit the when you talk to them reject accepting Holy Spirit while mentioned in Qu aran. Chirst described as word of God they rejected Christ as God & Savour. anyway Islam is evil thing with violence and nothing to do with Christianity.

Larry, Kirby, Brendan and Juan,

You say because Muslims reject the deity of Christ, they worship a different god. The Jews rejected Christ’s deity, does this mean the God of the Jews and the Old Testament is different from the God of the Christians? Is it only messianic Jews who worship the true God with Christians? What is it about Allah (much closer to Elohim than God which is from the pagan deity gat) that bothers you? Arab Christians worshiped Allah long before Muhammad was born. His own fathers name was Abdullah (servant of Allah). Allah is merciful, compassionate, just, omniscient, omnipotent, vengeful, loving, omnipresent, (let me know when I give an attribute you do not like or disqualifies Allah as the One true God) gracious, sovereign, peaceful, holy, faithful, creator.. the list goes on and on. The bottom line is when Muslims come to Christ they do not feel they are worshiping a different God rather the one true God in full. What they use to worship in part they now worship in full. Islam contains truth however, not enough for salvation. Christians are failing to reach out and based on the comments in this blog I can see why. Those who have submitted the dogmatic exclusivist views I fear would do more harm than good in Muslim evangelism. Muslims need a loving presentation of the gospel. There is no need to tear down their belief in Allah, Muhammad or the Qur’an in order to present Jesus. If you were witnessing to your unsaved neighbor and he told you he believed that God created everything and that there is a heaven and hell and that God was all powerful, all knowing, and that in the end of life he would be judged according to his works, would you tell him that that is a different God because he did not believe in Jesus! Of course you wouldn’t. You would build on whatever correct knowledge he had about God. Think about it. Muslims have a much closer understanding to the truth than your secular neighbors yet their God is false or even “evil” as some have put it.
Finally, Brendan, Muhammad never accused the Jews of altering scripture. He did accuse them of twisting scripture verbally but these are two very different things. Let's not encourage Muslims to believe things that Muhammad did not say that will further isolate them from the Holy books (yes Muhammad did say there are four holy books, Torah, Psalm, Gospel and Qur'an). Muslims should make no distinction between these. Muslims are likely to study the Bible with us if we are willing and do not attribute words to their prophet he never said.

Blessings,

George