From a Netfriend:

Hello Rowland and others

I also share Andrew Bolt’s concerns. It *is* extremely difficult. Despite the claim to the contrary in the article that Stephen forwarded, there *was* evidence that money was leaving Australia last year to fund terrorism.

When Indonesia’s Laskar Jihad set up its website, and prior to ‘9/11’, it was publishing lists of donors. Some anonymous donations were coming from Australia. Now, LJ is not AQ or JI, but it does have links to both.

I suppose you could say that within Christianity there is a continuum of belief. The continuum of belief within Islam stretches from peace-loving, kind-hearted Muslims right through to terrorists. OK, we have Northern Ireland to keep us humble. But those who take the Bible seriously and study it end-to-end [and not in chunks] are not usually terrorists.

The scary thing about Islam is that closer study of Islam entices Muslims – usually young and idealistic ones – to a militant interpretation of ‘jihad’ etc. Those passages are there. Moderate Muslims would say they’ve been abrogated.

In studying the Bible we are exhorted to test Scripture with Scripture. In this way we gain a deeper understanding, and a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We also believe the Spirit guides us in this study. Muslim scholars expend all their efforts on working out what verses of the Quran are actually saying, and which should abrogate which. And as one erudite Muslim said, of Islamic scholarship, on SBS’s recent insightful [not ‘inciteful’] series on Islam, ‘Who’s to know who is right?’

What then should we do?

Personally, I think

… as Australians: we should be applying and preaching the ‘Golden Rule’ – no victimisation of Muslims, vandalistaion of mosques, etc. That’s something that all Australians can relate to.

… as Christian: 1. we should ‘overcome evil with good’. Specifically, we need to convey God’s love…through all our actions and particularly in our communications about/with Muslims/Islam. [Dare I mention the tone of the article Stephen forwarded? The challenge is to warn lovingly!!! And to be heard – and understood – in the midst of a secular society!]

2. recognise that there *is* a spiritual battle going on, and we need to draw on all the resources given us. We also need to be acqainted with the basic tenets of Islam.

3. realise that many many Muslims are just as upset and confused about their religion as we are, and are searching for answers. We need to be available for them.

Sorry! I know I’ve made some of these points before – but I think I’ve expanded them a little.

Peace, Joy and Love in Christ,