Violence in the Name of Religion
"Jihad" is an Arabic word which means fighting or
struggle. It is a very important
doctrine in Islam but at the same time it is a troubling concept that has been,
is being, and will be used to justify violence in the name of religion. The
fact that because Islam is the world's fastest growing religion and that religious conflict has often occurred between Moslems and the followers of other
religions (especially Jews and Christians) it is a good reason why non-Moslems
should know something about jihad. In areas where actual physical fighting has
erupted between Moslems and Christians, it is virtually imperative that
Christians must know something about jihad, for it is inevitable that some Moslems will use it as a religious justification for physical fighting. It cannot be denied that jihad has been used to justify
horrific atrocities such as the vicious attack on the World Trade Center in New
York City on September 11, 2001. Amazing Biblical Prophecies concerning the Descendents of Ishmael
To understand the Jihad between Osama bin Laden and America
we have to go back four thousand years to the time when God called Abraham from
Ur. God made a covenant with Abraham to
make him a father of many nations and give his descendants the land (Gen.
17:1-9). When Abraham and his wife
Sarah became old they still did not have a child, so they used the carnal method
by making Hagar their Egyptian maidservant to be the surrogate mother of their firstborn son Ishmael.(Gen. 16). The Angel of the Lord prophesied about
Ishmael. “He shall be a wild man; his hand shall be against every man, and
every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his
brethren.” (Gen. 16:12) It is amazing how this biblical prophecy was fulfilled in the person of Saddam Hussein in 1991 and now again in Osama bin Laden; both of them are descendents of Ishmael. The description fits Osama bin Laden like a glove in this present global crisis. He is currently the most wanted man on the face of the earth "dead or alive" .
According to God's promise Sarah did conceive and gave birth to Isaac when Abraham was one hundred years old. (Gen. 21:5) From the two sons of Abraham - Ishmael and Isaac two groups of nations would emerge (Gal.4:22-23). Another prophecy states that one nation would persecute
the other (Gal. 4:28-31)
“But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born accordingto the Spirit, even so it is now.” (Gal.4:29) This prophecy was fulfilled when the nation of Israel was restored in April 1948 and since that time it has been persecuted by the Islamic nations. How does America fit into this prophecy? Here is the connection. Christians are the spiritual seed of Abraham through faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:26-29).
Just as the descendents of Ishmael would persecute the descendents of Isaac, so the "wild man" Osama bin Laden would persecute the spiritual seed of Abraham which is Christian America. America Founded on Christianity
The United States of America is the only nation on earth that is founded on Christian faith and principles as evidenced by the charters of our Founding Fathers.
"In the name of God, Amen. ……….Having undertaken for the Glory of
God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and
Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia;
do by these presents, solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of
another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body Politick,
for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends
aforesaid; And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and
equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as
shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General good of the Colony;
unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we
have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the
Reign of our Sovereign Lord, King James of England, France and Ireland, the
eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini, 1620." I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to
the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. When in the Course of human
events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the
earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of
Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires
that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of
Happiness.--" The American dollar is the only currency in the world that has this inscription "In God we trust."
Osama bin Laden hates America
Osama
bin Muhammad bin Awad bin Laden was born in Riyadh in 1957. Osama's father,
Muhammad, is leader of Saudi Arabia's wealthiest construction firm. As the 17th
of 52 children, he stands to inherit over $300 million USD. Of course, that is
when his father dies. He is likely to not inherit this money as Saudi Arabia
has frozen all assets of Osama indefinitely. He graduated from King
Abdul Aziz University in Jiddah in civil engineering in 1979 and left
Saudi Arabia for Afghanistan. Afghanistan,
a predominately Muslim country, was occupied by the Soviet Union in 1979. Osama bin
Laden joined a resistance movement against the "godless" USSR. This
resistance, the Mujahedeen, was funded in large part by the United States
government. The enemy of our enemy is our friend. For the next ten years, Osama bin
Laden provided logistical and humanitarian aid to the Mujahedeen. There is
debate about whether he actively participated in battles. Eventually, the
Mujahedeen forced the Soviet Union to leave Afghanistan. This was an important
turning point for Osama bin Laden. A small group of freedom fighters had managed to
beat one of the largest and most powerful armies in the world. This would later
serve as a metaphor for his battle against America. Osama bin
Laden returned to Saudi Arabia in 1989 a hero. He quickly continued his work by
denouncing the Saudi Arabian government that was seen by many as a corrupt
regime. King Faisal destroyed any hope of long-term sustainability by focusing
on short-term profits for himself. Osama bin Laden fit nicely into the familiar role
of freedom fighter. For his actions, he was confined to Jiddah. Normally, such
vocal opposition would be met much more harshly in Saudi Arabia but bin Laden's lineage
protected him from more serious punishment. In
1991 the Saudi government asked the United States to intervene in the
Iraq/Kuwait crisis. The United States sent troops over to Saudi start the Gulf
War. The Saudi government's request was not the reason the US sent troops, but
it is essential to understanding Osama bin Laden. From bin Laden and many others's
perspective, this was the start of the Ameican occupation of Saudi Arabia. This
occupation continues to this day. The Saudi dissident movement seeks to oust
the Saudi government. The United States troops are a major obstacle. Saudi
Arabia and the US are allies. America also has major economic ties to oil in
Saudi Arabia. The dissidents knew that Ameica normally responds with force when
their economic interests are threatened. If the dissident movement was to be
successful, it first needed to get America out of Saudi Arabia. The
United States stands in the way of Osama bin Laden's goals. U.S. financial and
military ties to Saudi Arabia protect its government. Osama bin Laden first needs to
oust the U.S. troops before he can overthrow the government. He has experience in
fighting huge countries. The success of the Mujahedeen's conflict with the USSR
has shown him that he can win. To do so, Osama bin Laden needs a large base of people
to join in his cause. Many Saudi's, however, are somewhat comfortable in their
luxurious lives. They don't want to overthrow the government. Saudi Arabia does not meet
the normal criteria of a state ready for a new government. Many of the citizens
derive their living from either the government or the U.S. occupaiton troops. It is against
their interests to change. As such, Osama bin Laden needs to recruit people from
outside of Saudi Arabia in his goal.
The Jihad of Osama bin Laden and Islamic Extremists Osama bin
Laden has found the perfect vehicle to gain support for his personal jihad: the Islamic religion. Many Muslims, especially in the Middle East, already have at least suspicion of the United
States. The US and USSR played the Middle East like cards during the cold war
with little regard to how it effected the people. America has unilaterally
supported Israel in any dispute with Arab countries. Neocolonialism by American
corporations is changing the Middle East, not always for the better. Osama bin Laden
has struck a chord with many Muslims, especially those living in the Middle
East. He used the existing antagonism and combined it with Islam. By invoking Jihad on
August 23, 1996, he catalyzed the more extreme Muslims of the world. He further
combined religion into his own nationalistic cause when, in February 1998, he
issued a declaration
with several extreme Muslim groups that Muslims should kill Americans
(including civilians) anywhere in the world. Osama bin Laden has taken his
nationalistic campaign global by exploiting Islam. "Al-Bada'i," al-Qurtubi in his interpretation, and the shaykh
of al-Islam in his books, where he said: "As for the fighting to repulse
[an enemy], it is aimed at defending sanctity and religion, and it is a duty as
agreed [by the ulema]. Nothing is more sacred than belief except repulsing an
enemy who is attacking religion and life." On that basis, and in compliance with God's order, we issue the
following fatwa to all Muslims: The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies -- civilians and military
-- is an individual duty for every Musllim who can do it in any country in
which it is possible to do it in order to liberate the
al-Aqsa Mosque and the holy mosque [Mecca] from their grip, and in order for
their armies to move out of all the lands of Islam, defeated and unable to
threaten any Muslim. This is in accordance with the words of Almighty God,
"and fight the pagans all together as they fight you all together,"
and "fight them until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there
prevail justice and faith in God." We -- with God's help -- call on every Muslim who believes in God and
wishes to be rewarded to comply with God's order to kill the Americans and
plunder their money wherever and whenever they find it. We also call on Muslim
ulema, leaders, youths, and soldiers to launch the raid on Satan's U.S. troops
and the devil's supporters allying with them, and to displace those who are
behind them so that they may learn a lesson.'
What should Christians in America do in the Jihad?
1. Do exactly what is printed in the U.S. dollar bill - "In God we trust". 2. The battle is the Lord’s, not
ours. Believe that God will fight for US. 3. This is not only a physical
war but also a spiritual war. Endure to the end. 4. Pray for our nation, our president, our leaders, our people and ourselves 5. Support our government’s
efforts and give generously to our country's cause. 6. Use the love of Jesus Christ and not hatred. We shall prevail. 7. Preach the gospel of our
Lord Jesus Christ in all the world. God bless America
Updated on 01/13/04 Paul Wong is a Christian minister and the President of ARK International.
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IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the
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Against Israel and the United States of America
23 February 1998
to a Congregation in Houston, Texas on September 22, 2001
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