www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Angry Muslims

Posters are reminded that this is a Christian forum. Regardless of the injustices perpetrated against us by anyone, advocating the destruction of those of a nation, an ethnicity, a race, or a religion is contrary to everything in which we profess to believe. Calling upon God, in the form of prayer, to grant that such happen is particularly offensive.

Those who find themselves unable to restrain themselves from such are well-advised to find another venue in which to do so.

As this thread appears destined to lead folks in that un-Christian direction, it is closed. Those who wish to offer prayers for the eternal memory of the Lord's servant, the Priest Daniil, and his family, are invited to do so in the thread at the Prayer Forum.

Many years,

Neil

"You have heard that it was said, `You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you salute only your brethren, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).

I've unlocked this thread, anticipating that the vast majority of our posters can adhere to the standards of civil discourse and to the Christian precepts so aptly quoted by Father Deacon Lance in his post above. If that does not turn out to be the case, the thread will again be locked.

Many years,

Neil

They need be converted or leave if they will not live in peace.
Stephanos I

Unfortunately, the Muslim requirements to "live in peace" only apply when all non-muslims are in dhimmitude... subjugation... and resistance to dhimmitude is explicitly reqired to be put down with lethal force and no mercy; the Quran explicitly calling for beheadings and warfare. Leaving is forbidden them. Conversion by a Muslim to any other religion is punishable by death, under Islam, as a religious tenet.

My reply is first as a veteran of the wars and battles against the terrorists of Islam in the Persian Gulf and Africa and post 9-11; the slaughter and treatment of Christans. Second, as a historian that teaches of the Fall Constantinople to Islam and its continued history under the rule of Islam; the struggle in Israel and the treatment of Jews and Christians. Lastly, as an Eastern Orthodox Christan who has visited Orthodox and Catholic cathedral/fortresses built centuries ago.

Do we follow the suggestion of the patriarch who said covert to Islam rather than die? To hold our faith and religion only in our hearts? Do we forget how Islam once controlled the Mediterranean and the treatment of the Christans who failed to convert?

As in Constantinople, now for the Western churches and governments, the enemy is at the gates. Was not Israel commanded to fight for their Faith and the Promised Land?

I do not profess to know the "right" answer or our responsibilities in the matter of Islam vs the world. But if as you say, we should show them only love, we should bring our troops home.

Perhaps we should do as the Puritans and early religious colonies - take the tenants of Islam as the Puritans did the Roman Catholic Church, and reform it 20 or so times to an non-denominational American Islamic Church that supports the rights of choice and devalued Constitutional liberties preferring to watch NFL than a liturgy in Latin, Greek, Aramaic, or English? Forgive my transgressions should my thoughts be offensive.