Muslim terrorists, and law-abiding Muslims both view the Koran as an
inspired and sacred directive from Allah. However its relevance to
modern global terrorism is that it leaves room for some Muslims to
internalize its religious content into divine warrant to harm, torture
and kill anyone who rejects Islam (infidels). For example in believing
that God has commissioned a Muslim reader to uncover new forms of
religious truth, the heterodox Shiite view of the Koran allows such
a
reader to extract far reaching implications from the text.
Stated differently, most Muslims use the Koran as an all-sufficient
guide for daily living from the mind of an inspired prophet. But in
the
hands of Muslims bent on terrorism, it seems to be an ill-conceived,
misguided collection of epileptic utterances accepted not only as a
license to murder-- but also as assurance of great reward for doing
so.
Such license is possible because a Muslim reader is free to uncover
new
forms of religious truth. However, and unlike the Koran, "the faith
...
was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), and "if anyone
adds
to (the words of the Bible), God shall add to him the plagues which
are
written in this book" (Revelation 22:18). In other words, and unlike
the Koran, the cannon of the Bible is closed.
While it is true that peace-loving Muslims adhere to the Koran and to
its religious teachings on Arab and mid-Eastern life, it is also true
that another dynamic is at play: When the teachings of Islam are made
to interface with Judeo-Christian teachings and culture, the result
is
that different ethnic groups with different beliefs can experience
different, and even opposing feelings-- even among people who are
law-abiding. In times past, this cultural clash was either absent or
diminished by the lack of both communication, and the means to travel
great distances. But today all of that is gone. We are now living in
a
global village without walls, and it is forcing people of widely
differing cultures to interface with one another.
TERRORIST ATTITUDES VERSUS ACTION
---------------------------------
The result is not only diminished boundaries between the Islamic and
Judeo-Christian cultures, but a growing hostility on the part of the
mid-Eastern have-nots, due to their exposure to Western prosperity.
Sadly, the clash in moral values between the two cultures can act to
nurture the engagement of emotions which, under the right circumstances,
can transform these emotions into a response of outrage and even wrath.
When opposing emotions are freely unleased, the unbridled zeal can
breed erroneous convictions that one is justified to right perceived
wrongs through violence. If so, it can open the door for some unknown,
albeit small number of law-abiding Muslims to become terrorists.
What could encourage the transition of law-abiding Muslims into
behaving as terrorists? Although not mentioning any particular ethnic
group, Donald Horowitz (The Deadly Ethnic Riot, U. CA Press, Berkeley,
2001) suggests that violence can occur when its adherents believe that
the risks are minimal. If that assessment is correct, then by extension
untold numbers of potential future terrorists could now be living as
law-abiding Muslims, primarily because they believe that terrorist
acton would bring unacceptable risks.
Stated differently, in addition to peace loving Muslims, and Muslims
who are terrorists, there may be a third kind of Muslim: Those who
interpret the Koran as do terrorists, but who live in a law-abiding
way. This hypothesis suggests that "latent terrorists" exist who behave
in a law-abiding manner, but yet who emotionally struggle with hostile
feelings spawned by the conflict between Islam's religious values,
and
the abhorrent morals of Western culture. If this were true, terrorists
and latent terrorists would share a common conviction: "Allahu Akbar"
i.e., murder is justified when done in the name of Allah. In this case
the difference between the two would not be the attitude of the heart,
but instead one's willingness to translate that attitude into action.
ISLAMIC VERSUS WESTERN CULTURE
------------------------------
This attitude of the heart does not stem from the presence of Western
territories, but rather from the existence of Western culture. This
is
not unlike what has occurred in years past from terrorist hostility
toward Israel-- a nation hated and attacked in five separate wars,
inspired by Muslim nations primarily because Israel is a Western
democracy amid Arab lands. In the mind of Muslim terrorists, Israel
is
the "little Satan," whereas America is the "Great Satan." America is
the symbol of Western culture, and the embodiment of a corruption
perceived by Muslims as defiling Islamic lands and culture.
Muslim terrorists thus seek to reverse one-thousand years of history
by
reinstating Islam as the dominant culture and religion of the world.
Whereas America is waging a war against terrorists, Muslim terrorists
are waging a war against America's very existence. In a word, Muslim
terrorists seek to destroy America not because of what it does-- but
because of who it is.
ISLAMIC DESTINY
---------------
A common phrase reported among even law-abiding Muslims is, "Today
Friday, tomorrow Saturday, and then Sunday." Its meaning is, 'Today
we
appeal to Allah, tomorrow he eradicates Jews (Saturday), and then
eliminates Christians (Sunday).' It is important to realize that many
peace loving Muslims sincerely believe that the Islamic conquest of
infidels is Islam's historical destiny, and that it is Allah who will
bring it about. Muslim terrorists go further by appointing themselves
as "holy warriors" to assist Allah in fulfilling this destiny.
However there is an irony to all of this: Muslims claim to adhere to
many of the same Bible Books as do Jews e.g., the Torah (first 5 Books
of the Bible), and the Psalms of David. Muslims also condemn and seek
to reverse the same immoral practices as do Bible-believing Christians.
Nonetheless many if not most Muslims regard such Christians as
infidels-- even though they claim to accept the four Gospels of Jesus.
Even so, the aim of Islam is to recapture the global dominance it once
held prior to the reign of Western (Judeo-Christian) culture.
What this may suggest is that America is not so much engaged in a
terrorists' war, as it is in a religious war, where law-abiding Muslims
and Muslim terrorists both share common beliefs and goals. The
difference between the two is that the latter take to the streets to
achieve them. However each has an Islamic heart that seeks not to
recapture Western territories, but to instead eliminate Western culture
and replace it with Islam. Each believes this outcome is their destiny.
Moreover, law-abiding Muslims and Muslim terrorists are both convinced
Allah will bring it about. However the latter believe he needs help--
so much so, they are prepared to die giving Allah the help he needs.
Such religious commitment transcends national allegiance, and acts to
bind Muslim terrorists into a global brotherhood. For example, every
Friday in Milan, Italy, green plastic prayer rugs cover a sidewalk
that
extends an entire city block. It's done to accommodate the overflow
of
Muslims from a modest building that houses the Islamic Cultural
Institute-- an organization characterized by the U.S. government as
the
main Al Qaeda station house in Europe. Moreover, after the 1993 bomb
attack on the World Trade Center, heavy phone traffic was detected
between this mosque, and a mosque in Jersey City. In this instance
Muslim terrorists in Italy and the United States were sharing their
glee at learning Americans had been maimed and killed. Here Muslim
terrorists in both countries held allegiance toward neither country.
Instead their common tie was to violence in the name of Allah.
MUSLIM ATTITUDES AND AFFECTION
------------------------------
Many law-abiding Muslims interpret most of the Koran in the same way
as
do terrorists. But the former do not turn to violence. Nonetheless,
the
conflict between Islamic values and decadent Western morals can inspire
law-abiding Muslims to accept terrorist goals. As noted above,
law-abiding Muslims-- while condemning terrorists' methods, might still
embrace their cause as just, and even succumb to passions that could
lead them to support Muslim extremists in one way or another. To be
sure, this line is not black and white-- it is broad and gray. Most
Muslims would likely have nothing whatsoever to do with a terrorist.
But if even a tenth of one percent of Muslims who disapproved of
terrorists' methods were to see their cause as just, it would mean
that
well over one million Muslims would be embracing terrorists' goals.
Some might wonder, "If Muslims truly felt this way, how is it possible
for America to have so quickly formed so large an Arab coalition after
September 11?" The answer is that it was a coalition among Muslim
governments-- not Muslim people. Indeed Pakistan (one of America's
strongest Arab supporters) was so fearful of civil unrest that it
pressured America for a quick end to the bombing. These Arab
governments consented to the coalition not for love of the West, but
rather because they themselves are fearful of terrorism. Even Arafat,
who some credit with inventing hijacking and being the father of 20th
Century terrorism, joined in the coalition.
WHAT LIES BEYOND?
----------------
If America's goal to eliminate Osama bin Laden succeeds-- what then?
Are there not several thousand "embedded sleepers" lying in wait for
the right time to kill more Americans? How can we know who they are--
and where and when these human time bombs will awake and explode?
Beyond this, are there not millions of Arab children being trained to
be a Shahid (martyr for Allah)? Do not Muslim parents overflow with
joy
at learning that their son was a suicide bomber? And did not live
broadcasts show Palestinian masses in Shechem and Ramallah rejoicing
with Muslim crowds in Patterson and Jersey City over the September
11
Twin Towers massacre?
About 11,000 mid-Eastern schools are now training Muslim youth to hate
Jews and Americans, and that to die while killing them for Allah will
bring great reward. By even conservative estimates, this means that
some 3 million mid-Eastern young people will soon be seeking their
share of the heavenly reward as martyrs.
Are Americans being informed of these Islamic time bombs? If America's
war is against terrorists, then how does it have an end? Do American
government leaders believe they will be able to identify and find
terrorist hide-outs world-wide, uncover the timing and location of
their evil intent, and disrupt their plans to kill and maim more
Americans? Perhaps. But then again, maybe not. The fact is, America
is
not at war with terrorists. It is at war with Muslim terrorists. These
were the terrorists who destroyed the World Trade Center. These were
the terrorists who attacked America's embassies and the battle ship
Cole, and these are the terrorists who are threatening bioterrorism
against America's cities, institutions, and leaders.
TERRORISTS OR MUSLIM TERRORISTS?
--------------------------------
The notion that America is at war with Muslim terrorists rather than
just "terrorists" is not explicitly stated-- either by America's
President, nor by its Congressional leaders or, for that matter, by
the
media. This despite the fact that soon after September 11, live
broadcasts showed Islamic masses venting ecstasy over destruction of
the Twin Towers by Muslim terrorists.
The revelation that 19 Muslim terrorists had murdered an estimated 7000
innocent men, women and children was quickly replaced by television
programs displaying American professors with Arab names, speaking in
Arab dialects, and assuring Americans that virtually all Muslims
condemned the September 11 attacks. But after saying this, they went
on
to suggest that by siding with Israel's occupation of Palestine,
America was encouraging Muslim sympathy for the terrorists. Stated
differently, their message was, "Terrorism in America arises from
America's friendship with Israel and Jews."
ARAB AND JEWISH CLAIMS
----------------------
Is this true? Has America been unjustly siding with Israel at the
expense of the Palestinians? Not if we are to believe history. The
facts show that Arab refugees in Israel first identified themselves
as
"Palestinians" in 1967 i.e., about 20 years after modern Israel was
established as a State. What of Islam? Does it have a legitimate
historical claim on these lands and against Israel? Again, the facts
show that Israel became a nation in and about 1300 BC i.e., some 2000
years prior to the advent of Islam!
Moreover, from the time of the Jewish conquest around 1270 BC, Jews
have maintained an uninterrupted presence in the land for over 3000
years. Indeed, Jerusalem does not even appear in the Koran-- and for
good reason: Jerusalem has remained the Jewish capital for over 30
Centuries, totally free of any Arab or Muslim influence or claim
throughout this time. Is it any surprise that Jewish Scriptures
reference Jerusalem over 700 times? The Jewish King David established
the city, whereas Mohammed never even set foot in it.
In considering the character of the Jewish and Arab cultures, we find
that under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were destroyed, denying
Jews places to worship. Under Israeli rule, Muslim (and Christian)
holy
sites were preserved and made available to all faiths. What of
aggression? The Arab nations started (and lost) five separate wars
with
Israel. Why did the Arab nations start these wars? In part because
the
PLO Charter continues to seek the destruction of Israel. Islamic
hostility against Israel is a fact of life. Yet neither mid-Eastern
history nor Israeli behavior offers us any rational basis for it. If
anything, these Arab feelings and conduct appear to be rooted in the
religious dogma that we find sprinkled throughout the Koran.
ANCIENT BIBLICAL PROPHECY
-------------------------
Muslim attitudes toward Israel range from resigned tolerance and
dislike, to outright hatred and violence. If an answer is to be found
for such attitudes toward Jews, it may lie in a prophecy recorded over
3000 years ago in Genesis 16:11-12. Speaking of Ishmael, the text
reads: "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man,
and every man's hand will be against him."
This prophecy brings us full circle to September 11, 2001 and the
destruction of the World Trade Center by Muslim terrorists: Here we
see
the hand of Ishmael's seed quite literally declaring war against
Western civilization. We also see the world gathered in an American-led
coalition against the untamed seed of Ishmael. America is indeed at
war-- and it's a war it must win. The reason is that with each passing
day, the likelihood of nuclear weapons falling into the hands of Muslim
extremists increases. The only reason they haven't yet used nuclear
weapons of mass destruction is because they don't yet have them.
The difference, however, between those who controlled nuclear weapons
in the past, and Muslim terrorists controlling such weapons in the
future is that Muslim terrorists are not only prepared to use them--
they are anxious to do so. If nuclear weapons were to be detonated
in
America's large cities, the devastation and subsequent social, economic
and political consequences would be so vast as to force the demise
of
America-- and with it, Western civilization. Of course, it would also
bring American retaliation, and with it the end of Islam's people,
culture and writings. Indeed, very little would remain.
THE FINAL OUTCOME
-----------------
It is for this reason that the war must be won. Western civilization
quite literally depends on it. But how can a nation win a war against
an enemy that it misidentifies? Is America at war against terrorists--
or Muslim terrorists? And are Muslim terrorists confined to those who
have declared themselves holy warriors of Allah? Or are they also the
millions of young Muslim children who during their formative years
were
indoctrinated with hatred toward America, adherence to Allah, and who
are now waiting for their time of destiny to share in martyrdom?
Has God judged America? No one knows. But we do know that America's
quest for a solution lies in the hope He didn't. If the God of the
Bible has judged America-- or even removed His protective cover from
America, then its government will be unable to undo what God has done,
"Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness
of
God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25).
We have yet to learn the final outcome. But we do know this: God will
not protect a spiritually lawless nation indifferent to His Commands.
The Bible records many instances where God judges a nation that sins,
but not one instance when He protects such a nation. God has given
America the freedom to accept Him-- or reject Him. Does America's fate
rest in this decision? Read Jeremiah 10:10-16, and then decide.