On September 11, 2001, four airplanes from eastern airports (Boston, Washington, Newark) were hijacked by terrorists and flown into prominent buildings in New York and Washington. The twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed as a result of the crash and fires. Surrounding buildings were also destroyed and damaged. One plane crashed into the Pentagon. The White House and Air Force One were also targets, but were not damaged. One hijacked airplane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. 266 passengers on board the four airplanes perished along with about five thousand in the twin towers and the Pentagon. Electronic eavesdropping afterwards revealed the voice of Osama bin Laden congratulating those who carried out the attacks against the United States. Some Palestinians celebrated in the streets, rejoicing in their hatred against Americans.

Several questions naturally arise in our minds. What could possibly provide enough incentive for Arab hijackers to commit suicide? Why do they so hate others that they are willing to kill innocent civilians? Why do they hate the United States and its citizens? We will not understand the terrorist acts this past Tuesday until we answer these questions.

Someone might ask, What does all this have to do with religion, our faith and Christianity? These terrorist deeds are anchored in religious matters. This message will deal with biblical history and false claims of Islam. These acts demonstrate how our attention must turn from petty differences among us to understanding world religions, like Islam, in contrast to Christianity. We must learn who the real enemy is and against whom we must be set for a defense of the Gospel. Rod Rutherford, Survey of World Religions, page 9, wrote, "Islam is the only major world religion which poses a serious threat to Christianity." We might add that militant fundamentalists among the Muslims pose a serious threat to our country as well.

Islam had its beginning with Mohammed who was born in 570 AD in Mecca, a city of western Saudi Arabia. Mohammed’s father died before he was born and his mother died when he was only six. He was raised by his grandfather and uncle. His early life is obscure, but we know that he suffered from fits. He was probably an epileptic. When he was 25, he found employment with a wealthy widow, Khadija, who entrusted him with her caravans. They were soon married, even though she was much older than Mohammed. Her wealth allowed him time to pursue his religious interests. He often spent time in caves meditating. He became frustrated with polytheism all around him and developed a passionate monotheistic belief. He noted that the Jews had a religion and Christians had theirs, but the Arabs were living in superstition and religious confusion. The Arabs refused to accept the Jews or the Christians.

When Mohammed was about forty years of age, he claimed that he began to receive revelations from God through Gabriel. His first encounter with this "angel of God" was violent. Gabriel appeared to him by choking him and threatening him into submission. He was commanded to "read in the name of thy Lord who created man from clots of blood." (Qur’an, Surah 96:1.) Mohammed believed that he was receiving visions from God. His followers claimed that he was illiterate and could not have written the Qur’an. They claim that their book is holy and came directly from God. As Christians we believe that Jesus is the incarnate Word of God, but Muslims hold that the Qur’an is the eternal Word of God. Their book is the equivalent of Jesus Christ! For this reason, Muslims are not permitted to ask any questions about what their book teaches. Just recite it, receive and obey it. This lays the groundwork for the most legalistic approach to God that can be found.

Mohammed tried to convince the populace to turn from polytheism to the one true God. But financial interests were connected with the visits to the Kaabah, the black stone, in Mecca. His inaccurate accounts of Old Testament events made the Jews reject his teachings. At Medina, Muhammed had 800 Jewish men killed with the sword. Enlisting the help of nomadic Arab tribes, Mohammed led a series of armed raids on Mecca in 630 AD. He captured the city with no resistance. He purged the city of its polytheism. He died only two years later, 632 AD, but by his death he had made great strides in unifying the Arab tribes throughout the Arab peninsula under the banner of Islam. Mohammed saw the value of using force to cause cities and countries to submit to his teachings. Muhammed was cruel, vindictive, often merciless, not hesitating to kill and rob.

Mohammed approved of and allowed his men to take female slaves from among those conquered, but they could not marry them. They could treat them in any way they desired. When they tired of them, they could sell them to others. Thousands of women suffered unutterable brutalities at the hands of the disciples of Mohammed. Mothers and daughters suffered untold shame and dishonor. (The World’s Religions, Norman Anderson, 124.) The Qur’an teaches that men are superior to women. (Surah 4:34 and 2:228.) In the language of the Arabs, there is no word for children. You must distinguish between boys and girls. Shame is heaped upon a father who had only girls. Often infant girls would be buried in the sand of the desert because of the shame of having girls. Contrary to the protests of Muslims, their religion does demean women and treat them with contempt. The Qur’an instructs men to beat their wives if they are not submissive. (Surah 4:34.) Muslim men can divorce their wives by simply saying, I divorce you, three times.

In addition to the five major pillars of Islam, there is a sixth that involves violence. Whenever needed to extend or defend their faith, Muslim men are required to go to war. If one dies in a holy war, he is guaranteed eternal life in Paradise. The late Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran wanted a holy war against the democracies of the West. For this reason, 52 Americans were held captive. Presidents Sadam Hussein of Iraq and Khadafi of Iran are often heard declaring a holy war against the United States. More recently, Osama bin Laden, a millionaire (approx. $300 million) from Saudi Arabia, has declared a Jihad against the United States, its army and citizens whereever they are found. They see western countries as idolaters and enemies of Islam. Their monotheistic view sees Christianity as adding to God by our belief in a Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We have therefore committed the most grievous sin possible, called shirk, by having "others gods."

These declarations of a holy war do not mean that they will fight out in the open with another country. Rather, it means that they will murder, terrorize, and wound others by any means at their disposal. Often this means that the ones fighting the holy war will commit suicide in the process. The ones committing suicide and their families are highly honored and praised. Paradise is promised to those dying for the cause of Islam. Muhammed taught that the sword is the key to heaven and to hell!

The Qur’an describes paradise as a physical sensuous place. It says,

"But the true servants of God shall be well provided for, feasting on fruit, and honored in the gardens of delight. Reclining face to face upon soft couches, they shall be served with a goblet filled at a gushing fountain, white, and delicious to those who drink it. It will neither dull their senses nor befuddle them. They shall sit with bashful, dark-eyed virgins, as chaste as the sheltered eggs of ostriches." (Surah 37:44-49.)

"When you meet the unbelievers in the battlefield strike off their heads and when you have laid them low, bind your captives firmly. Then grant them their freedom or take ransom from them, until War shall lay down her burdens. Thus shall you do. Had God willed, He could Himself have punished them, but He has ordained it thus that He might test you, the one by the other. As for those who are slain in the cause of God, He will not allow their works to perish. He will vouchsafe them guidance and ennoble their state; He will admit them to the Paradise He has made know to them." (Surah 47:5-8.)

In our preaching, we must try to produce some doubt in the minds of "suicide bombers" that just maybe they are being promised something that is false! As the rich man said, Send someone from the grave to warn them lest they also come to this place of torment. (Luke 16:28.) What sort of brainwashing and mind-control must be involved to convince such deluded people to kill themselves and others!

There are many divisions among the followers of Mohammed. He had predicted that after his death there would be 72 divisions. He was not far from wrong; there are over 50 warring groups. Many Muslims denounce terrorism just as we do; neither would they participate in such activity. But I would note with you that long before any of the divisions occurred among the followers of Muhammed, the above passages from the Qur’an were written and recited by his disciples. There has always been extreme violence associated with the followers of Muhammed. This they cannot successfully deny.

There are three major divisions of Muslims. They are the Sunnis, the Shiites, and the Sufis. Broadly speaking, the Sunnis are more tolerant and make up the largest group; the Shiites are radical extremists and are among the smallest, and the Sufis are the mystics. Ali, who married Muhammed’s only surviving daughter, Fatima, was the first leader of the Shiites. He and his two sons were murdered by other Muslims. The Shiites claim that they are the only true followers of Muhammed. Muslims will just as quickly murder one another over religious, political and power disputes. The warring factions in Afghanistan are Islamic factions fighting one another. They will kill family members, especially daughters and wives, who "dishonor" them.

However, I just heard on the news this week that Osama bin Laden is a Sunni and not a Shiite. I have not been able to confirm this, but if it is so, it shows that the Shiites do not hold the market on terrorism.

Terrorists usually commit acts of terror to promote some cause, either social or political. Dictators, like Hussein, Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler, have used terror against opponents of their governments. The KKK used terror against blacks and any who sympathized with them in the South. The Jews used terrorist acts against the British to oppose their rule in Palestine. Palestinians continue to pursue their political goals against the Jews. Someone rightfully said, If you want peace, work for justice for everyone.

Why do terrorists target the United States? Here are some of the most important reasons.

They associate the West with Christianity, thinking that there is a

direct link with society and religion. Muslims do not distinguish between their nationality and religion. The two go together. They do not understand that one can be an American and have no religious affiliation. Therefore, they assume that fighting against the United States is the same as fighting against Christianity. But why do they so hate Christianity? Because we are like idolaters to them. We "add to God" by believing in a Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Muslims consider us as unbelievers, even though we believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

They reject our foreign policy concerning Israel and Palestine. The United States, Great Britain, and France helped to create the State of Israel in 1948. This drove the Palestinians from their homeland that they had owned for 1900 years. The Palestinians have been victims in this whole process of establishing a homeland for the Jews. There were political, social and economic reasons behind the effort. But the United States promoted Israel over the concerns of the Palestinians. People commit acts of terror when they feel that they have no other way at their disposal to get your attention. They want the USA to listen to their side of the story. They are victims and they are crying out for help.

They despise the fact that Saudi Arabia allowed the US troops on its soil to attack Iraq in 1990. This is the home of Osama bin Laden and the site of the most holy shrines in Islam. It is the birthplace of Muhammed; the sites of Mecca and Medina.

They have developed a psyche for bloodshed and violence. Over generations many have developed a great tolerance for bloodshed. They praise one another for violent deeds. They are promised great blessings in Paradise if they die in battle or if they commit suicide.

There are many motives and reasons behind their actions. America is the only remaining super-power. Others nations will envy and hate any such nation with such power and wealth.

The Palestinians were probably not responsible for the events on Tuesday in Washington and New York. However, they were celebrating what had happened openly in public. They favored such acts as something that they would have done. The guilt of the terrorists, no matter who they are, is that they have committed murder on a large scale. It does not matter what their cause is or what their political objections might be. They committed a crime against innocent people which the Qur’an promotes. It teaches the killing of people who do not believe what Muhammed taught. (Surah 47:4.)

This fanatical viewpoint shows the great difference Christianity and Islam. It shows that the Muslim does not know the great God of heaven. And his name is not Allah! It is Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is the father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This crime against innocent people should and must be punished. This is the role of governments, not individuals. As Christians, we should not be vengeful, nor take matters into our own hands. But we can support our government in its action against all acts of terrorism. This is how God brings judgment upon evil doers in this life. Yes, God will do the punishing eternally, but man does it temporally.

"Whosoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed, for in the image of God made he man." (Gen. 9:6.)

"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever resists the power resists the ordinance of God, and they shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. . . For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain. He is a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." (Romans 13:1-4.)