This is like the fifth time I've gotten a right wing chain e-mail and repudiate it with help from Snopes.com and "reply to all" with the truth. >>
Date: Sun, 16 May 2004 11:36:15 EDT
Subject: Re: Islam exposed again. You've sent me another Urban Legend!
Somebody is sending you some very nasty radical right propaganda. Always check with Snopes.com on this stuff. Below is a link and excerpt reputing this latest smear. By the way a conservative Congress inserted "ONE NATION, UNDER GOD" only in 1955 in response to their fears of an atheist Russia. Meanwhile us pagan folk get tired of all the major monothiest religions wanting to consign us to fire and brimstone for eternity.- Cheers, joefree1
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http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/allah.aspOrigins: The piece quoted (below "definition of an infidel") is an editorial penned by Rick Mathes, Executive Director of the <nobr>Missio Prison Ministry.
We asked if he could provide some information about the origins of the piece, and he responded:
This article is an exact recording of a real event that I participated in. My only commentary was, "the truth will prevail." I think this meeting was in This ar and I will not give out more details for fear of retribution. The purpose of the class was to increase "religious sensitivity", that is, tolerance for each others beliefs and I really blew that. The director was purple with rage however the Imam and I exchanged signs and said "Salaam" which means "peace" in Arabic (I hope). I questioned him (Imam) really to get a clear refutation of what is commonly thought of this Jihad nonsense. But apparently he wasn't educated enough to rebut my remarks or by his silence on this matter (I think) concurred with my implied conclusions. In either case I was surprised. And when I said I found it hard to be his friend, everyone laughed out loud. So the mood was an amazing mix of those who were interested like me and others that were just amused by the whole thing. I left the matter open on purpose (the truth will prevail) so that either side could speak up and claim the truth as their own.
Reporter Greg Kearney, writing for the Lee News Service, traced the story to a correctional facility in Fulton, Missouri, and came away with a decidedly different version of events from Missouri state officials.
According to Tim Kniest, Public Information Officer for the Missouri Department of Corrections, the event described was a training program for prison volunteers, for which ministers from several faiths were invited to give presentations in order to acquaint prison volunteers with the varied religious beliefs of the inmate population. The man who gave the presentation about Islam was not a Muslim minister; he was an inmate pressed into service to present a short film on Islam and answer some questions when the prison's Volunteer Coordinator was "unable to find an Imam to speak."
Moreover, reported Mr. Kniest, the prison's Volunteer Coordinator said that "The inmate did a good job," adding, "He was asked a few questions that were beyond his ability to answer. But he was not asked anything like that question
":
Volunteer Coordinator at the prison said that no such exchange as the editorial reported ever took place. "He certainly did not 'Hang his head in shame'," according to Kniest. In fact, the inmate was thanked by the assembly before being escorted back to his quarters. Furthermore, the coordinator does not recall any questions dealing with jihad against the infidels of the world as reported in the editorial.
In the editorial the inmate is presented as an Imam, or Islamic minister, which he clearly was not.
Whatever may have transpired at the prison training session referred to above, the notion expressed by this piece is inaccurate. Islam is not a monolithic religion in which unanimity of belief and action is coordinated from a central authority. Islam has an estimated Whatever ma adherents in countries all over the world who belong to any one of a number of different sects with varying beliefs, traditions, and interpretations of scripture. (As well, some religious groups identify themselves as Islamic but are not recognized as such by the vast majority of Muslims.) No one Muslim (especially one who wasn't even a cleric) could speak to what all of Islam believes, any more than a single member of a Methodist congregation could speak for every denomination and follower of Christianity. Many, many Muslims reject the idea that "all followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of their faith," or even the suggestion that such an interpretation has ever been a valid tenet of Islam. We sent this piece to several Muslim groups and invited them to offer comments; they provided somewhat different explanations about the concept of jihad, how Muslims regard non-Muslims, and other related topics, but they all agreed that the editorial presented a grossly distorted version of their beliefs.
Last updated: 13 January 2004
http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/allah.asp
In a message dated 5/15/04 10:12:02 PM, ----- writes:
<<
TRUE STORY
Subject: Give me the definition of an infidel >>TRUE STORY
INTERESTING.....VERY INTERESTING!!!!
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their belief systems.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video. After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Imam and asked: "Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"
There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he replied, "Non-believers!" I responded, "So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to Heaven. Is that correct?" The _expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He replied, "Yes."
I then stated, "Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope John Paul commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to Heaven!" The Imam was speechless.
I continued, "I also have a problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah who tells you to kill me in order to go to Heaven or my Jesus, who tells me to love you because I am going to Heaven and He wants you to be with me?"
You could have heard a pin drop.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the
'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with Rick's way of dealing > with the Islamic Imam and exposing the truth about the Muslim's beliefs.
I think everyone in the US should be required to read this,
but with the liberal justice system, liberal media, and the
ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized.
Please pass this on to all your email contacts. This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well known leader in prison ministry.
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.<<
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