10 Questions – Is Islam a Religion of Evil?

My friend Edward Oleander asked me to provide 10 Questions when years ago called Islam a "religion of evil" Ed has two Muslim friends who are willing to respond to my questions. Here is Ed's description of his challenge to me: "The 10 questions was a challenge I put to Tom after he called Islam a religion of evil back in 2008. It was also an expression of my frustration with Tom for accusing me of failing to explore Christianity deep enough, despite his complete lack of ever exploring any other religion himself.

I work with a few Muslims, including one man and one woman who agreed to each answer, in writing, a set of any 10 questions that Tom cared to pose. Both of them are, I believe, far closer to "real" Islam than the extremists we see on TV…"

The 10 Questions:

1).    My understanding of Islam is that it believes the Christian Bible is something that has been corrupted (I believe this is called Tahrif). Please tell me when exactly the Bible was corrupted and by whom. I ask you to keep in mind the example of the Dead Sea Scrolls (currently being shown at the Science Museum in St. Paul), which were buried and untouched for 2,000 years with no significant changes when compared to the traditional text.

2).    What is there in the Qur'an that leads you to believe that it is the prophetic, or truthful Word from Allah?

3).    Would you mind sharing with us a portion (do you also call these verses?) of a sura or two that are your favorite in the Qur'an?

4).    Do you agree that the primary way that Islam is spread after Muhammad's death in 632 AD is by the sword?

a).    Are there missionaries of Islam? If so, what do they tell those who are unbelievers?

5).    One writer states that polling data shows that 60% to 70% of Muslims worldwide are Salafi, meaning ancestor (what we Americans would call fundamentalist). The leaders in Islam that are Salafi include the Shia leaders in Iran, Pakistan and the Taliban. Is Salafi Islam the religion of Muhammad and the Qur'an?

a).    A recent poll found that one-third (1/3) of Muslim Americans believed that it is proper to use terrorism on behalf of the Islam faith. Do you agree with this? Why or why not?

b).    As France is about to pass legislation preventing the Muslim head and face covering, do you believe that the covering of Muslim women's face and head dehumanizes these women? And isn't the promise of 70 (or 72) virgins for Muslim martyrs, and Paradise being filled with sexual pleasures really a human / male concept?

c).    Why did Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (someone who does not believe the German holocaust actually took place and has shown his desire for the removal of Israel) receive 62% of the popular vote in the most recent election?

6).    Philosophically speaking, which is greater, a God who demonstrates his love by himself coming to Earth as a sacrifice for the world's sins (see, John 3:16; Philippians chapter 2) or one who refrains from becoming involved with humanity?

7).    My understanding of Islam is that at its foundation there are 5 Pillars: confession, daily prayer towards Mecca, almsgiving, and pilgrimage to Mecca; Is this correct?

a).    Is there any concept of Grace (mercy given though you don't deserve it) in Islam? For example, suppose a Muslim was able to go to Mecca, but didn't. How is this failure to meet one of the 5 Pillars (or any failure or sin) met by Allah? Is it always punished or is there room mercy?

8).    Is Allah holy? Is he perfect? If so, how can any of us who are not perfect ever be in Allah's presence in Paradise?

9).    Are people born basically good or bad? My understanding of Islam is that they believe people are born basically good. If this is right, how come it is so difficult to go any length of time without sinning. Can you go a week without sinning? How about a day? Why do we so naturally drift toward selfishness, and need to make a conscious effort to be good (or the flip side is why is it NOT a struggle for us to be bad)?

a).    If people are born basically good, then why is there so much pain and suffering in the world?

10). How do you define love? Where does love come from?

OK, I realize that if you count the sub-questions, I have gone over the 10 Question limit. I plead for your grace on this. J Thank you Ed for arranging this. And my thanks to those who are providing their responses. In Christ, /s/Tom Wolff

Easter Weekend 2010

Happy Easter weekend to y'all. Today is a special day of life here at the Wolff household – this morning one of our Siberian cats is giving birth to kittens. Three kittens are born so far. And mother cat and kittens are doing well. She chose an unusual birthing spot though. We just purchased a set of new Parade of Homes chair and couches which we put in our family room. One of the couches had a small tear in the bottom of it, and this cat crawled up into that rip, and gave birth to the first two kittens in the bottom of the couch while we were sleeping. Funny, funny, funny cats.

I am feeling especially blessed this Easter season. Work is going well. I have good health (see the March 13^th post on the healing of my MRSA that took place on March 7^th). And my family is doing well – and there is the hope of better health for my beautiful bride, who may have stomach by-pass surgery sometime in the next couple weeks. Peace and hope are good things to have, especially during the spring like weather that we have been having. And the Twins are playing at their new Target Field!

Which brings me to Easter. My thought this Easter weekend, is first to make sure that all know that Easter is a celebration of Jesus' Resurrection from His death by Crucifixion. On Pastor Tom Brock's local radio show this morning, he quoted a recent poll that shows that 42% of Americans do not know that Easter is about Jesus' Resurrection. It seems so obvious to me that Easter is about the celebration and remembrance of Jesus' Resurrection. And so, this is a disappointing statistic, showing the failure of the Church's mission in our country. So join with me to proclaim to others Jesus' Resurrection this Easter weekend.

Finally, my challenge to you to this Easter – will you join me in asking God what is there in our lives with which God is not happy. And then sit and listen. I once had a Pastor preach that if we want to hear from God, we should ask this question of God, and see if the opening scene of Star Wars appears. He said that if we are open to really hear of the sins in our lives, a long scroll, like the one used in Star Wars' opening scene, will just keep rolling for as long as we care to listen. I think this is a wonderful description reminding us of our sinfulness before a Holy God, and to also grow in our appreciation for the payment of these sins in the sacrifice by Jesus' death on the Cross. Thank You Jesus for redeeming me through your death, and providing me with new life, through Your Resurrection on Easter morning some 2,000 years ago.

Happy Easter everyone! Celebrate our Lord's Resurrection, He has defeated the grave!