Sharia and you

By: American Decency Staff

By Chris Johnson One problem that the church in America has never yet had to face, and thus often forgets exists at all, is religious persecution. Because of our nation's religious background and God's tremendous blessing, American Christians have never had to fear for their lives for worshipping the wrong God, or to worry that the police would break down the doors of their church, or that Muslim fanatics would set their homes and churches on fire. It's hard to even imagine that taking place in our society. Yet, in many societies Christians do not have to imagine it because it happens every day. Most recently, Nigeria has attracted attention due to the violence that erupted after their recent elections. In what international critics have called Nigeria's fairest election ever, the Nigerian people elected Goodluck Jonathan as president by a sweeping majority of 57% over his opponent who received 31% of the vote. Why would this cause problems? Because Goodluck Jonathan is a Christian and his opponent was a Muslim. The violence is taking place for the most part in the Muslim majority northern states and around the city, Jos, which sits on the border of the northern states. TheChristianPost.com reports it this way: "Muslim opposition supporters of Muhammadu Buhari, a Muslim and former military ruler, began rioting after the April 16 victory of Goodluck, a Christian from the south. Outraged over the 57 to 31 percent defeat, armed protesters took to the streets, chanting Buhari's name and attacking Christian supporters of the president. The violence which took place at churches, homes, and police states, also triggered retaliatory attacks by Christians." A Nigerian civil rights group says that at least 516 people have died from the riots, and some estimate that 74,000 have been displaced. But violence against Christians is not an isolated election incident. This past Christmas Eve, a pastor was dragged from his home and shot in the head, 2 choir members who were rehearsing  Christmas carols were executed, and 2 people just walking past the pastors church were shot. They were six of the 38 Christians killed by Muslims that week. In one Nigerian state in one month of 2009, 2,000 Christians were killed, 2,000 Christians' homes were destroyed, and 4,000 Christians were forced to flee for their safety. Retaliations by Christians cost the instigators 500 of their Muslim brothers. In the ministry "Open Doors'" World Watch List, which keeps track of the nations where Christians are persecuted, Nigeria is number 23. Open Doors explains the Christians sentiments below. "At this moment Christians feel 'enough is enough' and 'we don’t have another cheek left to turn,' and pose the question: 'Are we just about to be slaughtered?'" As I said, Nigeria is only number 23 on the Watch List. There are more horrific stories coming out of Muslim countries like Egypt, Eritrea, and Iran. It is pure ignorance to say that Sharia and Islam are not a threat to America and her form of government. According to the United States Council on International Religious Freedoms, 12 of Nigeria's northern states have adopted Sharia Law. These are the same states that are largely producing the murderous protestors of Nigeria's fair elections. What does that say about Islam's relationship to republican government? It is not my intent to vilify a huge demographic in the United States and the whole world. I'm sure there are a large number of Muslims who are happy enough minding their own business, living their own lives, and I wish them peace and happiness doing just that. But there are also large amounts of Muslims who see it as their religious duty to conquer the world, by hook or by crook, in the name of Allah. All you have to do is look at the state of Muslim nations to see what that would mean for Christians, Jews, Buddhist, or any other non-Muslims. Dearborn, Michigan is home to the largest population of Muslims in the United States. Last year, a group of Christians was arrested for peacefully handing out pamphlets at a Muslim festival. More recently, the blowhard "Reverend" Terry Jones was jailed because of his intent to exercise his free speech rights in a protest of Sharia and Jihad in the city. Pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who have to live in fear of persecution for their beliefs and pray for the United States – that we would have the fortitude to not only reject any attempt to establish Sharia within our own borders, but that we would do what we can to change the conditions that non-Muslims must endure in many Muslim countries. ========================================================== Your support is important to our ability to make a difference. Donate online at: https://secure4.afo.net/ada/donate.php American Decency Association is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org http://www.twitter.com/billwjohnson

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