When Strangers Come Knocking---Part 14

This is the next installment of my series to be published the first Monday of each month.
There are members of false sects, like Jehovah's Witnesses, that come knocking door-to-door hoping to convert you. Instead of ignoring them, it is we who should try and convert them. In 1 Peter 3:16, our first Pope writes, "But in thy hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks thee to give the reason for the hope that thou hast. But do this with gentleness and respect,..." Before the Great Apostasy, the Church would send missionaries to the ends of the Earth to make as many converts as possible. 
Those in false religions don't always come (literally) knocking at your door. It may be a Hindu at work who wants you to try yoga. It could be a "Christian Scientist" who lives next door and invites you to come to their reading room. Each month, I will present a false sect. Unlike the Vatican II sect, I do not see them as a "means of salvation" or possessing "elements of truth" that lead to salvation. That is heresy. They lead to damnation, and the adherents of the various sects must be converted so they may be saved.
In each month's post, I will present one false sect and give an overview of:  

• The sect's history
• Their theology
• Tips on how to share the True Faith with them

Islam

One of the most wicked and dangerous of all false religions is Islam. Founded by the madman Mohammed in the seventh century, Moslems or "Muslims" as they like to be called, are warlike and and hate Christ. Their sheer numbers make them a force with which to be reckoned. According to the Berkley Center:

Islam is the world’s second largest religion after Christianity, with approximately 1.5 billion adherents—nearly a quarter of the global population. Islam dominates the religious landscape of the Middle East, North Africa, and large parts of Asia. Though the Arab world is often regarded as the historical heartland of Islam, Arabs comprise only about 20 percent of the world’s Muslim population, while about 30 percent come from the Indian subcontinent and the rest live in Asia outside the Middle East and the West. The country with the largest Muslim population is Indonesia, home to about 13 percent of all Muslims worldwide. Islam is the largest religion in Africa, with a particularly strong presence in the North and West. Sizeable Muslim minorities exist in many countries, including Russia and China. Islam is the second largest religion in much of Europe, and Muslim communities exist in North and South America as well. (See https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/essays/demographics-of-islam).

In the United States, Islam has grown at an incredible pace. According to the Pew Research Center:

Since our first estimate of the size of the Muslim American population, the number of U.S. Muslims has been growing rapidly, albeit from a relatively low base. When we first conducted a study of Muslim Americans in 2007, we estimated that there were 2.35 million Muslims of all ages (including 1.5 million adults) in the U.S. By 2011, the number of Muslims had grown to 2.75 million (including 1.8 million adults). Since then, the Muslim population has continued to grow at a rate of roughly 100,000 per year, driven both by higher fertility rates among Muslim Americans as well as the continued migration of Muslims to the U.S. (See https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/01/03/new-estimates-show-u-s-muslim-population-continues-to-grow/). 

I wish to credit my somewhat sanitized exposition on Islam, as condensed from Introduction to Islam: Beliefs and Practices in Historical Perspective, [2015], by Carole Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand is an eminent authority on Islam. She is currently Professor Emerita in Islamic History at the University of Edinburgh and Professor of Islamic History at the University of St Andrews. I will then bring to light the face of Islam few discuss for fear of being labeled "Islamophobic" by the PC-left wing crowd. 

History

Islam, which means "submission to God" was founded by Mohammed (sometimes spelled Muhammed). His followers came to be identified as Moslems or Muslims, i.e.,  “those who submit to God." Moslems consider the term Mohammedans and its variants offensive because it implies to them that they worship Mohammad instead of the moon-god "Allah."

Mohammad, a descendant of Ishmael, was born in the year 570 to a minor clan of the Quraish tribe in Mecca.

Orphaned at an early age, he was raised by an uncle, Abu Talib. As a child, he took care of herds. Later, he subsisted as a camel driver.

Eventually Khadija, a wealthy widow, employed him. They fell in love and were married. As a wealthy merchant, Mohammed had contact with adherents of monotheistic religions on the trade routes and time to pursue religion. At the time, Mecca was a place where polytheism and animism thrived. Each tribe had its own deity and made annual pilgrimages to Mecca to pay homage. There were reportedly three hundred sixty (360) deities that were worshipped. The first shrine that greeted pilgrims entering Mecca was a statue of Allah’s (a false moon-god) three sensuous-appearing daughters (al-Lat, al-Manat, and al-Uzza). The Ka’ba that housed a black stone allegedly given to Abraham by Gabriel was dedicated to the god Habal. Mohammed would make the moon-god the "god of Islam."

In 610 AD, at the age of 40 and while meditating in a cave on Mt. Hira, Mohammad fell into a trance. Trembling and sweating, he heard the angel Gabriel say to him, “Recite!” This was the beginning of a series of “recitations” given to him over a period of years which became the Moslem "holy book" or Koran (also spelled Qur'an). 

Mohammad’s career as a "prophet" in Mecca then began. His message to the Meccans was this: There is only one God to whose will people must submit, and there will be a day of judgment when all people will be judged in terms of whether or not they have obeyed God. Some ac­cepted what he said and became Moslems; others (the majority) rejected his message. Rejection of Mohammad and his message by the leaders of the Quraish led him to look for some other place where this new religion could be established. The people of Yathrib (now Medina) had expressed interest and openness to Muhammad and his followers, so they left Mecca in 622 AD and settled there. Moslems use the date of the migration, the hijrah, as the start of the Moslem era. ["AH" after a date  = After the hijrah].

In early January 630 AD [8 AH] Mohammad led an army of 10,000 to Mecca and con­quered his enemies. The Ka’ba was cleansed of idols, and shrines to pagan gods were destroyed. Mohammad retained Mecca as the center for pilgrimage, and certain holy places, such as the Ka’ba and the well Zamzam. He died in 632 AD (10 AH) at the age of 62. 

Beliefs

There are the "Four Great Beliefs" (or "truths"):

1. “There is no God but Allah” [La-ilaha-ill-allah].

• God is One (the Trinity is explicitly denied)
• God is unique and no other shall be worshipped. Mohammed is Allah's prophet.

2.  “God is the greatest” [Allah-o-akbar]

• Allah must triumph over all false religions

3. “In the name of Allah, the most gracious and the most merciful” [Bis-millah-al-rahman-o­rahim]

• There is nothing more merciful and gracious than Allah

4. “If God wills” [Insha-allah]

• Everything is predestined by Allah

The Koran is the highest authority in Islam. It is the earthly version of a heavenly book and the um-al-kitab (mother of all books). The Koran is divided into surahs (chapters) and ayats (verses), and maintains its authoritative character only in Arabic. 

To be saved, one must belong to Islam, and their good deeds must outweigh their bad deeds. Heaven consists of carnal pleasures, such as deflowering virgins for Moslem men. Hell is eternal torture for non-Moslems and bad Moslems. 

The Five Pillars of Islam (What every Moslem must do)

• To recite the Shahadah [to bear witness] with conviction–“There is no God but God and Muhammad is his prophet” [La-ilah-ill-allah-wa-Muhammad-rasul-allah]

• To pray [salat]. A Moslem must perform the ritual prayers while facing in the direction of Mecca five times a day: at sunrise, at noon, in the midafternoon, at sunset, and before retiring. At noon on Friday, Moslems are expected to gather at the mosque (place of prayer)

• To fast [saum]. This is done during the ninth lunar month, Ramadhan, to commemorate when Mohammad received the Koran. Moslems must fast from daybreak to sun­down. It is expected that this time will cause them to reflect, teach them self-discipline, and underscore their dependence on Allah.

• To give alms [zakat]. One-fortieth of one’s income is prescribed.

• To make the pilgrimage [hajj]. If possible, a Moslem should visit Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. The last month of the Islamic calendar, called al-hajj, has been desig­nated as the official period of pilgrimage.

Mohammed's beliefs were really an amalgamation of the beliefs of pagans, Jews, and Catholics. Hence, the prohibition on eating pigs as "unclean" (Jewish belief), Mohammed taken to Heaven by a Pegasus (winged horse in paganism), and belief in the Immaculate Conception of Mary (Catholic).

Our Lord Jesus Christ vs. The Demonic Mohammed

Now that the basics of Islam have been set forth, the stark differences of Christ Who founded His One True Church shall be compared to the false "religion of peace" and its equally false prophet Mohammed. There is an excellent circular I read compiled by Mr. Stanley Robertson. Although not a Traditionalist, Mr. Robertson has done an excellent job of exposing Islam as a false and wicked sect. Below, I set forth some of his pertinent points. The author's citations are retained as he wrote them.

Mohammed:

• Said Allah hates those who don't accept Islam. (Qur'an 30:4, 3:32, 22:38)

• Permitted stealing from unbelievers. (Bukhari 44:668, Ibn Ishaq 764)

• Permitted lying. (Sahih Muslim 6303, Bukhari 49:857)

• Murdered those who insulted him. (Bukhari 56:369, 4:241)

• "If then anyone transgresses the prohibition against you, Transgress ye likewise against him" (Qur'an 2:194)

• Jihad [War] in the way of Allah elevates one's position in Paradise by a hundred fold. (Muslim 4645)

• Married 13 wives and kept sex slaves. (Bukhari 5:268, Qur'an 33:50)

• Slept with a 9-year-old child. (Sahih Muslim 3309, Bukhari 58:236)

• Ordered the murder of women. (Ibn Ishaq 819, 995)

• "O you who believe! Fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness." (Qur'an 9:123)

• Encouraged his men to rape enslaved women. (Abu Dawood 2150, Qur'an 4:24)

• Demanded captured slaves and a fifth of all other loot taken in war. (Qur'an 8:41)

• Was never tortured, but tortured others. (Muslim 4131, Ibn Ishaq 436, 595, 734, 764)

• "And fight them until there is no more persecution and religion is only for Allah" (Qur'an 8:39)

• Blessed the brutal murder of a half-blind man (al-Tabari 1440)

• What are the Greatest Commandments? "Belief in Allah and Jihad [War] in His cause" (Muslim 1:149)

• Died fat and wealthy from what was taken from others in war or demanded from others in tribute

• Advocated crucifying others. (Qur'an 5:33, Muslim 16:4131)

• According to his followers: Had others give their lives for him. (Sahih Muslim 4413)

Jesus Christ:

• "For God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." (St. John 3:16)

• "Thou shalt not steal." (St. Matthew 19:18)

• "Thou shalt not bear false witness." (St. Matthew 19:18)

• Preached forgiveness. (St. Matthew 18:21-22, 5:38)

• "If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." (St. Matthew 5:39)

• "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Sons of God" (St. Matthew 5:9)

• Was celibate

• Never hurt a child

• Never harmed a woman

• "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (St. Matthew 5:5)

• Never encouraged rape. Never enslaved women. Honored women and held all to the highest standards of purity. "But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart." (St. Matthew 5:28)

• "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve." (St. Matthew 20:28)

• Suffered torture, but never tortured anyone

• "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (St. Matthew 5:44)

• Healed a blind man (St. Mark 8:28)

• What are the Greatest Commandments? "Love God and love thy neighbor as thyself." (St. Matthew 22:34-40)

• Demanded nothing for himself. Died without possessions

• Was Himself crucified for love of humanity and to save others from eternal Hell

• According to his followers: Gave His life for others. (St. John 18:11) 

Now ask yourself, "Which of the two lived a good life?"  "Which of the two founded a 'religion of peace'?"

Proselytizing Moslems

 Be careful as to where you are and to whom you speak. Many Moslems become violent if you say anything against their wicked religion. If it is a harmless convert or someone raised to be an adherent of Islam and they ask you to come to their mosque, here are some tips for proselytizing them.

 Prepare yourself to respond to objections to the Christian faith (e.g. denial of Jesus crucifixion, charges that the Bible has been changed, Christians worship three Gods, etc.) and to Moslem apologies for Mohammad from the Bible (Mohammad is the prophet like unto Moses foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15-18, the Paraclete foretold by Jesus in St. John 14-16, etc.).

For example, the Islamic objection to the crucifixion of Jesus runs thus; Moslems believe that God would not dishonor his chosen prophet Jesus by allowing him to be crucified. Point out that Jesus predicted His own death on several occasions during His life (St. Matthew 12:39-40; 16:4, 21; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; 26:2; St. Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:33-34; St. Luke 9:22, 44; St. John 2:19; 10:11, 17-18; 12:32-33). Christ is not merely a prophet, but God Incarnate as proven by the Scriptures. He died to save humanity.

Moslems claim Mohammad [and not Jesus] as the fulfillment of the prophet "like Moses" foretold in Deuteronomy 18:15, 18. Moslems claim that the phrase in verse 18 “from their brothers” is a reference to Israel’s brother Ishmael, and that Mohammad is a descendent of Ishmael. However, verse 15 clarifies what is meant by this phrase. “From among you” would indicate that this prophet would be an Israelite.

Moslems claim that the phrase “like me” must refer to Mohammad because he was like Moses in many ways. However, many people have been "like Moses" in many ways: birth, marriage, proclaiming God’s words, ruling people, death, etc. It is not the common aspects but the unique aspects of Moses that separate the candidates. Moses saw the Lord “face to face” ( Exodus 33:11) instead of receiving revelation through dreams and angels. Moses did great miracles (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). In these things Mohammad is not like Moses at all, but Jesus fulfills the criteria perfectly. 

Point out the evil life and character of Mohammed as contrasted with Christ. If speaking to a Moslem woman, ask if she agrees that Allah is a misogynist. She will deny it. Then point out the following:

 Islam gets its teachings from the perverse and wicked man, Mohammed. His teachings are contained in the Koran, believed to be revelations given to him by the god "Allah." Next to the Koran, most Moslems accept the teachings of the Hadith, a book which purports to be a record of the words, actions, and the silent approval, of their "prophet," Mohammad. The Tabari is a collection of Koran verses and Hadith quotes, and is illustrative of how "Allah" allows women to be abused, to the point of likening them to animals and sex objects. 

"Allah permits you to shut them [women] in separate rooms and beat them, but not severely. If they abstain, they have the right to food and clothing. Treat women well for they are like domestic animals and they possess nothing themselves. Allah has made enjoyment of their bodies lawful in his Koran." (Tabari IX:113; Emphasis mine)

One of the worst practices in Islam is female genital mutilation (known as "FMG"). Young girls have their clitoris removed (most times without anesthesia) to eliminate their sexual drive ensuring they will not be attracted to boys and become "prime property" on the "marriage market" as a virgin. 

Men are allowed to be wife beaters. The Koran 4:34, "Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], beat them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand." (Emphasis mine). 

Here is a brief run down of the status of women in the Koran and Hadith. Women:

• Can be shut in separate rooms
• Should be beaten if disobedient
• Are to be treated like domestic animals
• Have deficient minds
• Make up the majority of damned souls in Hell

The Koran is an evil book written under demonic inspiration. Strong words? I own a copy. Here's what it teaches:

"O ye who believe!  Fight the unbelievers who gird you about, and let them find firmness in you; and know that Allah is with those who fear Him."  (Sura IX 123) Islam spread by means of violence. Catholicism spread by being persecuted and loving Her enemies along the way.

"They do blaspheme who say: 'Allah is Christ the son of Mary.'  But said Christ: 'O Children of Israel!  Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.'  Whoever joins other gods with Allah, Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode.  There will for the wrong-doers be no one to help."  (Sura V 75) Islam says Christians go to Hell, and Christ is not Divine; He allegedly told others to worship the false moon "god" Allah. There is nothing in the historical record to substantiate (a) Christ did not claim to be Divine and (b) He commanded worship of a false "god."

"O ye who believe!  Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors:  They are but friends and protectors to each other.  And he amongst you that turns to them (For friendship) is of them.  Verily Allah guided not a people unjust."  (Sura V 54) Mohammedans are told not to have Christians or Jews as friends.

If they protest "that is not the correct interpretation of the Koran," you can respond:

1. It is practiced the way just described in Islamic counties.

2. The Koran cannot be interpreted peacefully:

 "So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (Establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: No change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not."  (Sura XXX 30)  Traditionalists who commit violent acts do so in spite of  Church teaching to the contrary. Moslems who commit violent acts do so because of their false religion. Its history is one of violence, and this can be objectively proven. 

Conclusion

Islam is a sect from Hell. The false Vatican II sect teaches in Nostra Aetate, para. #3: "The Church (sic) regards with esteem also the Moslems. They adore the one God, living and subsisting in Himself; merciful and all- powerful, the Creator of heaven and earth, who has spoken to men; they take pains to submit wholeheartedly to even His inscrutable decrees, just as Abraham, with whom the faith of Islam takes pleasure in linking itself, submitted to God." (Emphasis mine)

"Pope" "Saint" John Paul II kissed the Koran and prayed, "May Saint John the Baptist protect Islam." Maybe he should be given the title "John Paul the Great Mohammedan."

"Pope" Benedict XVI  called for Christians "to open their arms and hearts" to Moslem immigrants and "to dialogue" with them on religious issues. Ratzinger told participants that the Catholic (sic) Church is "increasingly aware" that "inter-religious dialogue is a part of its commitment to the service of humanity in the modern world."

"Pope" Francis prayed towards Mecca and said, "Islam is a religion of peace, one which is compatible with respect for human rights and peaceful coexistence."

The True Church does NOT regard Mohammedans as "worshiping the same God." Traditionalist Catholicism and Islam have competing theologies which are mutually exclusive. "Allah" is the name of a false moon "god" exalted by the false prophet Mohammed.  The psalmist tells us that  "All the Gods of the Gentiles are Devils" (Psalm 96:5) and hence to whom do they render their worship? The Scriptures tell us clearly "They provoked Him by strange gods, and stirred Him up to anger, with their abominations.  They sacrificed to devils and not to God: to gods whom they knew not: that were newly come up, whom their fathers worshiped not. "  (Deuteronomy 32:16- 17)

They "sacrificed to devils and not to God" - regardless of whether or not they might have believed they were rendering homage to the True God, the reality is quite the contrary! It is an erroneous proposition to qualify a prayer addressed to the devil as authentic prayer. Islam is a false religion. It does not come from God, and those who follow it lose their soul. Gone are the days when St Francis of Assisi met Sultan Al Malik Al Kamil. The Saint told him, "If you wish to convert to Christ, and your people with you, I will most gladly remain among you out of love for Him. If you are hesitant about abandoning the law of Mohammed for the faith of Christ, order an immense fire to be lit; I will enter into it with your priests and you will see which is the surer and holier of the two creeds, and which one you must follow."  There was no "esteem" for the false religion shown, and peace was by conversion.

Gone are the days of King St. Louis IX and Pope St. Pius V who fought to keep the infidels out of Catholic Europe. Vatican II welcomed them in with "open arms," and rejected Catholicism as the State religion.

Gone are the days when artificial contraception, abortion, and euthanasia were banned and large families flourished. "Christian" Europe is shrinking while the Moslem hordes breed us out of existence. We must convert as many as possible and pray for a miracle. In the not too distant future, don't be surprised to see the Grand Imam of the Islamic Republic of Italy issuing fatwas ("laws") from the erstwhile St. Peter's Basilica. God save us.