January 2011

This picture above is a picture of an Iraqi Christian church that was the site of one of the most horrific church massacres in recent history. Muslims invaded the church and shot three pastors in front of the congregation. All three died. The church is Syriac (Aramaic) Catholic. 68 Assyrian Christians died in the attack and 78 were wounded. Religious violence against Christians is spreading throughout the Muslims world and persecution of Christians is spreading into Europe and America. A liberal group called SPLC has recently decided to name Evangelical Christianity as a "hate group." With the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't tell" Evangelical Christians in the military are now targeted for religious discrimination. (It was frankly admitted to Congress that religious discrimination against Christians will be practiced as the new policy is implemented. See: http://www.onenewsnow.com/.) The time has come to make a bold stand against the Liberal-Progressive-Democrats and to stop tolerating Islamic intolerance. Be informed and speak out!

(For additional information see my blog http://www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com/ and my you-tube site www.youtube.com/aramaic12.)

Looking Back at 2010

The most important event that happened in 2010 occurred on October 31, 2010 in Baghdad, Iraq. Muslims entered into a Syriac Church in Baghdad and slaughtered 68 Assyrian Christians and mutilated 78 Assyrian Christians. I often get into discussions with people that go like this: "Did you hear about that pastor in Florida that threatened to burn Korans?" They usually answer yes. Then I ask if they heard about the church massacre in Baghdad and of course they had not. This shows that to the Democratic Party and to the Liberal News Media Establishment-the paper and ink of the Koran is far more valuable than the blood of Christians. Religious violence against Christians continued in 2010. In Pakistan, Asia Bibi, a 45 year old mother of five and Pakistani Christian was sentenced to death for "insulting Islam" after defending her faith when he Muslim neighbors mocked her for being "unclean" as a Christian. (Bibi's blasphemy charges came after she was approached by co-workers wanting to convert her to Islam. She told the women that Jesus died for mankind, and asked what Mohammed had done for them.) Muslims slaughtered 38 Christians in Nigeria on Christmas Day, 2010. 2010 was a bad year for Christians facing persecution and a good year for fanatical Islam. My prayer is that soon, Islamic intolerance will face a major setback and Christians will have greater freedom in the Middle East. (Check last month's "Aramaic Herald" for more in depth information regarding the persecutions.) On 31 December 2010, 12 Assyrian Christians were wounded in their homes and 2 were killed in their homes by Muslims.

Stephen in 2010

So, what did Stephen do in 2010? From January to August I was in Baghdad, Iraq. After I got back I rested and visited with family. I did go to Chicago to visit the Assyrian community there. When I got back I did publish some more books (which are listed below). Since I have been back I have been unemployed, without a car and running out of money.

Stephen's future plans: 2011 and beyond

My next goal is to continue my education. I hope to get into a doctoral program. I want to study the Old Testament. I hope to go back to Egypt. I may stay in the military for three more years. I don't want to have to put up with all this gay rights garbage in the military. This is not the place for it. I want to place my future in God's hands.

The Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Dear Senator Cornyn,

You allowed the senate to repeal "don't ask, don't tell." This doesn't just mean that homosexuals can serve openly, this means that those whose religious convictions are that homosexual acts and behavior are wrong and sinful will now be discriminated against and forced out of the army. It has been publically stated on numerous occasions that they intend to put Evangelical Christians who are opposed to homosexual behavior out of the army. Conservative Christians must not be forced to attend briefings that state that their Christian and biblical beliefs opposed to homosexuality are wrong. Forcing Christians to attend such mandatory briefings means that the United States military is going to ridicule and oppose traditional Christian morality. To force them to attend such briefings is religious persecution. I need to know, Senator Cornyn, what you are going to do to protect our Evangelical Christian service members from enduring religious persecution and discrimination-which is the stated intend of this new policy. Are you going to protect our military heroes' freedom of religion and conscience or are you going to allow a policy to go forward with plans to persecute Christians serving in the United States military and end their military careers due to their religious beliefs? I am shocked and appalled that the senate would betray and vilify our troops in such a manner. I have served in Iraq twice. I was in Bagdad with the Army in 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. I take this matter very seriously. This new law is unconstitutional. According to the constitution, no law shall be passed by congress to prevent the free exercise of religion. The legal case of Katcoff Verses Marsh (1986) states that military service members do have the right to the free exercise of religion and that military chaplains are to protect that right. This new law is a religious test designed to discriminate against Evangelical Christians. The religious test is this: if your religious beliefs are opposed to homosexual conduct then you are not allowed to serve in the United States Armed Forces. This is a clear violation of section 6 of the Constitution, which states, "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

Sincerely,

Stephen Andrew Missick

The Four Principles of Moderate Islam

What is "Moderate Islam"? Supposedly, the vast majority of Muslims are "Moderates." What differentiates a Moderate Muslim from a Muslim extremist? In this age of terrorism it is important for us to define terms. The faith distinctive of Moderate Islam are delineated here. There are four principles that Moderate Muslims must believe in order to be truly moderate. If they do not hold to these four principles they are dangerous radicals and extremists. True moderate Muslims do not merely give lip service to these four principles, they diligently endeavor to make these four principles the norm for all Muslims. The principles are the following: Sharia Law has no legal authority, Violent Jihad is not valid for Muslims anywhere in the world and never will be again, Arab Christians and all non-Muslims living in Islamic countries are equal citizens with Muslims and enjoy all the same rights and privileges Muslims do, and all Muslims everywhere have the right to convert to any religion (or agnosticism and atheism) if they so chose. (The complete article "The Four Principles of Moderate Islam" is available to my blog: http://www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com/.)

Resources

BOOKS

(The books listed below can be ordered through Amazon.com or Barnes and Nobles On-line or can be ordered through their publisher.)

The Words of Jesus in the Original Aramaic: Discovering the Semitic Roots of Christianity (Xulon Press, 2006)

Although Bible scholars have called Aramaic "the Language of Jesus" most Christians have never heard of Aramaic. However, anyone who has read the Bible has been exposed to Aramaic whether he or she knows it or not. "Abba, Father" is Aramaic. Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified is Aramaic for "Skull-Place". Names such as Thomas, Barnabas, Martha, and Magdalene are all Aramaic names. "Maranatha" is a short Aramaic prayer that is left un-translated in the New Testament. Translated from the Aramaic it means, "Our Lord, Come!" After the release of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ", which was filmed mostly in Aramaic, more people have been exposed to the Aramaic language than ever before. Aramaic is an important but often over-looked tool in discovering the mind of Christ. This book is an introduction to Aramaic biblical studies and to the last Christians who still speak the ancient Aramaic language, the Assyrians of Mesopotamia. This book also explores the Aramaic behind Christ's words, such as in the title Christ used for himself, the Son of Man, which is Barnasha in Aramaic, and looks at important people in early Aramaic Christianity, such as James the Just and Mary of Magdala.

Mary of Magdala: Magdalene, the Forgotten Aramaic Prophetess of Christianity (Xlibris, 2006)

According to the Biblical account Mary of Magdala was the first witness of the resurrection. The early fathers of the church called Mary Magdalene the "Apostle of the Apostles". She played an important, but until recently, largely ignored role in the early church. Aramaic was the language of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Her name "Magdalene" is an Aramaic name meaning "the Tower". St. Jerome, who was fluent in Aramaic, believed she was called "the Tower" due to her ardent faith. This book explores Mary of Magdala through the Aramaic language and ancient Aramaic sources and traditions.

Treasures of the Language of Jesus: The Aramaic Source of Christ's Teaching (Xlibris, 2006)

Treasures of the Language of Jesus: The Aramaic Source of Christ's Teachings explores Jesus in the light of his language, culture and times. Bible scholars have determined that Aramaic was the language that was spoken by Jesus Christ. This book examines the meanings of Aramaic words and Aramaic figures of speech that are found in the New Testament. Treasures of the Language of Jesus is an introduction to Aramaic biblical studies and to the last surviving native speakers of the Aramaic language, the Assyrians and Chaldeans of Mesopotamia.

Aramaic: The Language of Jesus of Nazareth (Xlibris, 2008)

Aramaic: The Language of Jesus of Nazareth is a brief introduction to the Aramaic language. Bible scholars have determined that Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus Christ. This book lists the evidence from the Bible, archeology and other ancient records that have led them to this conclusion. Examining the words of Jesus in his native language gives us a deeper understanding of the Messiah and his message. Aramaic: The Language of Jesus of Nazareth serves an important introduction to Aramaic biblical studies and to the last surviving native speakers of the Aramaic language, the Assyrian Christians of Mesopotamia.

Christ the Man (Xulon Press)

Immerse yourself in the life of John the Baptizer and Jesus the Christ as they preach God's New Covenant with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with all the living things of the earth (Hosea 2:18). John and Jesus' radical new message of forgiveness and hope provokes opposition from the authorities. After John is arrested, Jesus decides to confront the religious establishment in the very courts of the Temple of Jerusalem! Jesus rescues the animals from sacrifice, evicts the all the merchants and their customers from the Temple and then boldly proclaims, "My Father's House shall be a house of prayer for all nationalities!" Rediscover the beginnings of the Good News of Christ the Man. Gain fresh insights on the historical background of the life of Christ supplemented with twenty illustrations from the "Christ the Man" graphic novel.

The Hammer of God: The Stories of Judah Maccabee and Charles Martel (Xulon Press, 2010)

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ celebrated the Festival of Hanukkah (John 10:22). Hanukkah celebrates the heroic exploits of Judas Maccabeus and his battle for religious freedom. These events occurred during the four-hundred silent years between the Old and New Testaments. The Seleucid Greeks that ruled over the Jewish people made observing Judaism a capital offense and ordered all copies of the Bible to be collected and burned. In the year 167 Before Christ, Judas Maccabaeus led the Jewish people into battle to preserve the Holy Bible and to establish religious liberty. Judas was called Maccabeus which means "the Hammer" in Aramaic. Centuries later, in the year 732 A.D, Charles Martel, known as "Charles the Hammer," fought to defend the religious liberties of the Christians and Jews in Europe when an army of Islamic terrorists threatened to eradicate Christianity in France. In The Hammer of God learn about the history of the battle for religious freedom, a battle that continues today.

The Ascents of James: A Lost Acts of the Apostles (Create Space 2010)

The Ascents of James is an ancient account of the life of James the Just, the brother of Jesus, that was composed by the Ebionites, an ancient sect of Jewish Christians, at a time close to the end of the first century. In this ancient Jewish Christian book, James and the Twelve Apostles explain their beliefs in Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and answer questions from their opponents on the steps of the Temple of Jerusalem. The main argument made in The Ascents of James is that Jesus is the Prophet like Moses prophesied in Deuteronomy 18: 15-22. The Ascents of James provides us with a rare perspective into an extinct and very ancient form of Jewish Christianity.

The Second Adam and the Restoration of All Things (Create Space 2010)

According to the Book of Genesis in the Holy Bible, God created Adam and Eve in a state of harmony with Nature. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and were expulsed from the Garden of Eden. In the New Testament, Jesus is described as the Second Adam who brings a restoration of all things (Acts 3:21). Describing the New Testament, Hosea says, "In that day I will make a New Covenant for them with the beasts of the field, with the birds of the air, and with the creeping things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, to make them lie down safely" (Hosea 2:18). According to the Gospel of Mark, the Good News is Good News for all creatures or all creation (Mark 16:15). The Bible states that in God's New Kingdom, "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9).

Saint Thaddeus and the King of Assyria: The Aramaic Origins of Christianity (Create Space 2010)

According to ancient manuscripts written in the Aramaic language, Saint Thaddeus, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, traveled to Mesopotamia and preached the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the Assyrians and preached in Chaldea and Babylonian as well. The Assyrian people received the Gospel and became fervent Christians. The Assyrian Church of the East produced many great theologians and scholars. Assyrian missionaries planted churches in India, China, Mongolia and Socotra all before the year 700 A.D. Under the pagan Persians and then later under the Moslems, the Assyrians endured horrific persecution because of their Christian faith. The Assyrian Christians still endure persecution and still live in Iran and Iraq and have survived as a dynamic living testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

A Soldier in Iraq (Create Space, 2010)

A children's book about Stephen's experiences in Iraq in 2003 and 2004.

The Secret of Jabez (Upcoming)

Discover an astonishing truth that has been concealed for centuries and is now unveiled at last! This book tells the story of the first people known to history to have worshiped Yahweh (Jehovah) as the one God, a tribe of Kenite Arabs called the Rechabites. Recent archeological evidence has convinced historians and Bible scholars that it was these Kenites, an Arab tribe that pre-dates Abraham and Ishmael, who were the first to call upon God by the name of "Yahweh," or Jehovah, and to worship him as the one true God. It was they who introduced the Israelites to the worship of Yahweh God. Jabez, who has been popularized through his short prayer found in the book of Chronicles in the Holy Bible, has a unique connection with these Rechabites. Jeremiah called the Rechabites a people blessed by God, and used the example of the faithfulness of this gentile (meaning non-Jewish) people to condemn the great lack of faith in God found among the Israelites. These Rechabites are still wandering the deserts of the Middle East to this very day. They are still devoted to Yahweh and bear on their bodies the emblem of their tribe. This symbol they have bore since their beginning as a people. Like Paul they bear on their bodies "the marks of the Lord Jesus" (Galatians 6:17). They have worn this stigma from time immemorial. Now let us unravel the secrets of the Prayer of Jabez, decode its hidden meaning and unlock the mystery of the lost and forgotten identity of Jabez and reveal the true purpose of his prayer.

KINDLE BOOKS

(These books are also available in hard copies.)

The Language of Jesus: Introducing Aramaic (2010)

"The Language of Jesus: Introducing Aramaic" is a brief introduction to general facts about the Aramaic language. Bible scholars have determined that Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus Christ. This book lists the evidence from the Bible, archeology and other ancient records that have led them to this conclusion. Examining the words of Jesus in his native language gives us a deeper understanding of the Messiah and his message. "The Language of Jesus: Introducing Aramaic" serves an important introduction to Aramaic biblical studies and to the last surviving native speakers of the Aramaic language, the Assyrian Christians of Mesopotamia.

Judas Maccabeus: The Hammer of God (2010)

The Story of Judah Maccabee is a timeless inspirational story of great faith and courage against seemingly impossible odds. It is also a timely story about the collision of traditional religion and modernity. Hanukkah celebrates the heroic exploits of Judas Maccabeus and his battle for religious freedom. These events occurred during the four-hundred silent years between the Old and New Testaments. The Seleucid Greeks that ruled over the Jewish people made observing Judaism a capital offense and ordered all copies of the Bible to be collected and burned. In the year 167 Before Christ, Judas Maccabaeus led the Jewish people into battle to preserve the Holy Bible and to establish religious liberty. Judas was called Maccabeus which means "the Hammer" in Aramaic. In Judas Maccabeus: The Hammer of God learn about the history of the battle for religious freedom, a battle that continues today.

ARTICLES

(Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies www.jaas.org)

The Assyrian Church in the Mongol Empire, Mar Thoma: The Apostolic Foundation of the Assyrian Church in India, and Socotra: The Mysterious Island of the Church of the East which were published in the Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies (Volume XIII, No. 2, 1999, Volume XIV, No. 2, 2000 and Volume XVI No. 1, 2002).

VIDEOS

(Crossover Videos: www.thecrossoverproject.org)

Iraq's Christians in Crisis

The Armenian Genocide

COMIC BOOKS

The Assyrians: The Oldest Christian People

Chronicles: Facts from the Bible

The Hammer of God: Character and Historical Reference

The Hammer of God Coloring Book

The Hammer of God Mini-Comic

The Hammer of God: The Battle for Religious Freedom

UPCOMING PROJECTS

1. Is the Cross a Pagan Symbol?

2. The Restoration of the Lost Ark

3. The Seven Signs

4. Renenutet and the Gift of Khnum (A Story about Ancient Egypt)

5. Jihad and Crusade

6. Babylon Mystery Religion

7. The Aramaic New Testament

Reverend Stephen Andrew Missick is the author of The Assyrian Church in the Mongol Empire, Mar Thoma: The Apostolic Foundation of the Assyrian Church in India, and Socotra: The Mysterious Island of the Church of the East which were published in the Journal of Assyrian Academic Studies (Volume XIII, No. 2, 1999, Volume XIV, No. 2, 2000 and Volume XVI No. 1, 2002). He is the author of The Words of Jesus in the Original Aramaic: Discovering the Semitic Roots of Christianity, Mary of Magdala: Magdalene, the Forgotten Aramaic Prophetess of Christianity, Treasures of the Language of Jesus: The Aramaic Source of Christ's Teaching, Aramaic: The Language of Jesus of Nazareth and Christ the Man. He is an ordained minister of the gospel. He graduated from Sam Houston State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rev. Missick has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and has lived among the Coptic Christians in Egypt and Aramaic Christians in Syria. He also served as a soldier in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2004. While serving as a soldier in Iraq he learned Aramaic from native Aramaic-speaking Iraqi Assyrian Christians. Rev. Missick is the writer and illustrator of the comic book "The Assyrians: The Oldest Christian People," the comic strip Chronicles: Facts from the Bible and the comic book series The Hammer of God which are available from www.comixpress.com. The Hammer of God comic book series dramatizes the stories of Judah Maccabee and Charles Martel. He has also served as a chaplain in the Army National Guard in Iraq during his second deployment in 2009 and 2010.

Contact Stephen A. Missick at PO Box 882 Shepherd TX 77371 A monthly newsletter, The Aramaic Herald, is available free of charge. DVDs and Gospel tracts with an Aramaic focus are also available from the above address. Rev. Missick has several short video teachings and presentations at www.youtube.com/aramaic12 and a blog at http://www.aramaicherald.blogspot.com/.

68 killed while worshiping in Church in Baghdad, Iraq

 

Our Lady of Deliverance or Our Lady of Salvation (Sayidat al-Nejat) Syriac Catholic Cathedral an Aramaic Christian Church in Baghdad, Iraq was the site of a horrific massacre of Iraqi Christians. Pastors Saad Abdallah Tha'ir and Waseem Tabeeh ( AKA Fathers Tha'ir Saad and Boutros Wasim) were killed execution style in front of all the parishoners. Pastor Raphael Qatin was seriously wounded and later died in the hospital. Over 100 were in attendance. 68 killed 78 wounded. Between six and fifteen gunmen began the attack by killing 2 armed guards in front of the Iraq Stock Exchange with a loud explosion and bursts of gunfire. The attackers then moved across the street to the Our Lady of Salvation Syriac Catholic Church, which is in the Karrada neighbourhood. At the church, they took its construction and cleaning crew hostage. They also took more than 100 worshippers hostage. One witness said that when attackers came into the church they closed the door and started to shoot at the lights, the fixtures, the crucifix, the Madonna and over the Sunday service worshippers. An eyewitness said the attackers shouted at them saying "All of you are infidels. We are here to avenge the burning of the Qur'ans and the jailing of Muslim women in Egypt." Two hours after the raid, police arrived on the scene and cordoned off streets in the neighbourhood, after which a standoff ensued. The men wearing the suicide/homicide vests stood at both sides of the church. They detonated their vests, which were loaded with projectiles, into the congregation. 58 died immediately and many of the survivors lost arms and legs. The church was full of women and children. The next Sunday services were held in the church. The walls were still splattered with blood and embedded with chunks of human flesh.

TWO NOTES: (1) To the Muslims the suicide bombers are "martyrs" but the innocent Christians are not. That should tell you all you need to know about Islam. (2) What is the Egyptian connection? Well, Egypt has a large Christian population. Coptic priests can marry. In Egypt, sometimes Coptic Christians convert to Islam to get a divorce. It is hard to get the Coptic church to grant a divorce but in Islam a divorce is very simple. A Muslim man need only to say "I divorce you" three times in a row. Two women married to Coptic priests ran away from unhappy marriages. They have been given shelter in Coptic monestaries and are basically in hiding as the church tries to diffuse the situation. A rumor got started that the woman converted to Islam in order to escape their marriages and are being held captive against their will. This was the excuse the Muslims in Baghdad used to massacre the Assyrian Christians there. The Coptic church tries to avoid such conflict. The rumors are probably not true. Now, the women, their ex-husbands and the Coptic population of Egypt and the entire Christian community in the Middle East are in danger. This is what happens when we tolerate Islamic hysteria and intolerance. We must put an end to it.

 

Chuck Colson Bravely Speaks out against the Massacre of Assyrian Christians

 

Persecution in Iraq: Intolerable Silence

By: Chuck Colson|Published: December 17, 2010 12:00 AM

Finally, a major news outlet reports on the persecution of Iraqi Christians. But I have to wonder if the Administration is reading the headlines. On Monday the New York Times ran a lead paragraph to a story that's as chilling as any I've read in recent memory. Here it is: "A new wave of Iraqi Christians has fled to northern Iraq and abroad amid a campaign of violence against them and growing fear that the country's security forces are unable or, more ominously, unwilling to protect them." There, in one paragraph, the Times sums up the grim situation facing Christians in Baghdad and throughout Iraq. They are subject to a campaign of violence—not some indiscriminate acts by a few Islamist radicals. They are being harassed and killed right under the very noses of the Iraqi security forces and the government, and it is not clear at all that the government wants to stop it. I have talked about this time and time again on BreakPoint, and I have criticized the American media for ignoring it. Well, my hat's off to the New York Times for putting the story on the front page. The issue of Christians in Iraq really hits home, particularly the week before Christmas. These "Assyrian" or "Chaldean" Christians form one of the oldest Christian communities in the world, dating back to biblical times—long before the rise of Islam. And, sad to say, the action or inaction of the U. S. government has played a major role in the situation. No doubt the U.S. government never intended to place Christians in the crosshairs of Islamist radicals, but the invasion of Iraq prepared the ground for what Nina Shea at Freedom House has called a "ruthless cleansing campaign by Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish militants." What's scandalous is that the U.S. has done precious little about it. I have no doubt that if the Administration were to pressure the Iraqi government—including threatening to cut off aid—the persecution would either stop, or at least the Iraqi government would start to make honest efforts to end the bloodshed. And you and I need to tell the Administration and Congress that the U. S. government must not tolerate such blatant persecution. Maybe the Administration's silence on the issue has something to do with its effort to improve relations with the Muslim world—an effort I applaud. But we can't remain silent for fear of offending Muslims. Even if, as a reputable pollster told me, up to 18 percent of Muslims hold radical views and support religious violence, that means 80 percent or more do not. It is those peace-loving Muslims we should enlist in the fight against the radical Islamist worldview and the barbarians who embrace religious bloodshed. After all, we believe in the words of the Declaration of Independence.  "All men," that's including Muslims, as well as Iraqi Christians, "are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights." Religious freedom is one of those rights.  So when our men and women go into combat around the world, they are fighting not just for the rights of Christians, but for Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, —that is, for the rights of all people. But by doing nothing as our so-called allies in the Iraqi government ignore the deadly persecution of Christians, the U.S. not only betrays its principles, but it has blood on its hands. So, kudos to the New York Times for giving the plight of Iraqi Christians top billing. It's time for the Administration to do the same.

More Christians Flee Iraq After New Violence
Steven Lee Myers | The New York Times | December 12, 2010

The Persecution of Christians in the 'Muslim World'
Ken Blackwell | World Magazine | December 15, 2010

 

NEW BOOK BY STEPHEN

"Saint Thaddeus and the King of the Assyrians"

According to ancient manuscripts written in the Aramaic language, Saint Thaddeus, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, traveled to Mesopotamia and preached the Good News of the Kingdom of God to the Assyrians and preached in Chaldea and Babylonian as well. The Assyrian people received the Gospel and became fervent Christians. The Assyrian Church of the East produced many great theologians and scholars. Assyrian missionaries planted churches in India, China, Mongolia and Socotra all before the year 700 A.D. Under the pagan Persians and then later under the Moslems, the Assyrians endured horrific persecution because of their Christian faith. The Assyrian Christians still endure persecution and still live in Iran and Iraq and have survived as a dynamic living testimony to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

 

The Strongest Strongs

 

The Strong's Bible Concordance has been a very popular and useful tool for over one hundred years. Recently, it has been improved. One way it has been improved is by bringing it up to date with the latest research. Since its original publication many important archeological discoveries have been made that expand our knowledge of biblical languages. This includes the Ugaritic tablets of Ebla-which are written in a language very similar to Hebrew. Another important discovery dealing with ancient Hebrew is the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Our knowledge of New Testament Greek, or "Koine" Greek, has been expanded by the discovery of common correspondence of the Greek period that was discovered at Oxyrhynchus in Egypt. Another helpful modification is that this revision of the Strong's Concordance has three Lexicons in the back. In earlier editions there was a Hebrew/ Chaldee Lexicon (meaning Hebrew/Aramaic Lexicon). However, Aramaic and Hebrew, while they are both Semitic language are different languages. So now, the new concordance gives Aramaic its own dictionary.

 

 

The Situation in Sudan

 

In the later part of the Twentieth Century about 2 million Sudanese Christians were slaughtered by Muslims. When I first arrived in Egypt-back in 1991, I met with Sudanese Christians and they discussed with me their plight. They feel that South Sudan should not belong to Sudan. They feel like the British attached their land to the land of the northern Sudanese-a people with whom they have nothing in common. Racially, linguistically and religiously-they are a different people. They are not Muslim nor Arab. Northern Sudan became an Islamic Republic that persecutes them. This January, the people of south Sudan get to vote for independence. If it is a free election-southern Sudan will become an independent country. I doubt that the Muslims of northern Sudan will allow the southern Sudanese to go free.

 

Wiki-leaks

 

Jesus said that every secret will be made known. What you hear whispered in the closets will be proclaimed from the housetops.

 

I think that a lot of what has recently came out of wiki-leaks-the public needs to know. Saudi Arabia basically IS Al-Qaida. (I've been saying this.) The Syrian government controls and arms Hezbollah in Lebanon. Some of the things done and said are unacceptable behavior for people working in government. We MUST expose Islamic terror. These leaks show that our government protects Islamic terrorist states-such as Saudi Arabia. These secrets are not being kept secret to protect the national security of the United States. In fact, they endanger the United States, by strengthening and protecting our enemies. It was wrong for whoever released this information to do so. I also believe that these leaks have exposed wrong-doing by our government. So, good has come out of this. Information that the public needs to know and has a right to know, information that being kept secret actually puts us in danger-are kept secret in order to protect and strengthen our enemies against us. I am sure the politicians and the powers that be gain a financial benefit by protecting Saudi Arabia and other radical Muslim states. Also, it came out the Karzai and our Afghan and Pakistani allies are corrupt and in alliance with radical Muslims terrorists against the US. Much of this information that came out through the Wikileaks needed to be made public.

 

The Four Principles of Moderate Islam

What is "Moderate Islam"? Supposedly, the vast majority of Muslims are "Moderates." What differentiates a Moderate Muslim from a Muslim extremist? In this age of terrorism it is important for us to define terms. The faith distinctive of Moderate Islam are delineated here. There are four principles that Moderate Muslims must believe in order to be truly moderate. If they do not hold to these four principles they are dangerous radicals and extremists. True moderate Muslims do not merely give lip service to these four principles, they diligently endeavor to make these four principles the norm for all Muslims. The principles are the following: Sharia Law has no legal authority, Violent Jihad it not valid for Muslims anywhere in the world and never will be again, Arab Christians and all non-Muslims living in Islamic countries are equal citizens with Muslims and enjoy all the same rights and privileges Muslims do, and all Muslims everywhere have the right to convert to any religion (or agnosticism and atheism) if they so chose.

 

Principle One: Sharia Law has no Legal Authority

 

In traditional Islam (or Islamic "orthodoxy") there is no division between the spiritual and the political. This means that Islam is a theocracy. Moderate Muslims reject this concept. Sharia law is Islamic jurisprudence. Sharia law is the Islamic legal system that is derived from the Koran and from the life, teaching and practice (example) of Mohammed.

Here are two examples of Sharia law:

 

Cutting off the hand of a thief

 

"As for the man or woman guilty of theft, cut off their hands to punish them for their crimes. That is the punishment enjoined by God. God is mighty and wise." (Koran 5:35-40)

 

Collecting the Jizya from Christians and Jews

 

"Make war against those who have been given the Scripture [the Christians and the Jews] but do not believe in Allah nor in the last day. They do not forbid what Allah and his messenger have forbidden and they do not follow the way of truth. Fight against them until they pay the jizya tax in acknowledgment of the superiority of Islam and they are reduced to a state of humiliation." (Koran 9:29)

 

(The "people of the book" are allowed to keep their religion as long as they pay the Jizya tax. If they refuse to do so, by Islamic Sharia law they may be put to death or enslaved. These laws are not enforced, except in Saudi Arabia and certain other extreme Islamic states. But the law of jizya is still a part of Sharia law although it isn't currently enforced. Despite this fact, all non-Muslim minorities living in the Islamic world are persecuted.)

 

Sharia law must not be applicable to non-Muslims. Anyone who tries to impose Sharia law on non-Muslims is an Islamic extremist. Sharia law must not be imposed on a Muslim. If a Muslim chooses to reject Sharia law, or anyone's interpretation of Sharia law, his right to do so must be protected and a moderate Muslim will defend every Muslims right to reject Sharia law. A Moderate Muslim believes that we cannot allow Sharia law to be on the books in any court of law nor can we allow Islamic Sharia law to be given any credence in a secular court of law.

 

Many Muslims claim that Sharia law is the totality of their lives. They say that they cannot live their lives outside of Sharia law. That's fine. Sharia law is a personal choice. They can live their lives by that system if they so chose. However, Sharia law has no place in the civilian courts. It is totally a private and personal lifestyle choice. The moderate Muslim believes that Sharia law is merely a personal lifestyle choice.

Sharia law is Islamic constitutional law. All Islamic countries state in their constitution that all law ultimately derives from the Koran and Sharia law. Sharia law violates the principle of separation of religion and state because it makes Islam the official state religion and the Koran the highest legal authority. Those pushing to introduce Islamic law into the courts of western countries are trying to subvert and overthrow the government. By trying to introduce the Islamic political system into western countries these Muslim groups are showing that Islam is not just a religion-it is a political system. Moderate Muslims reject the idea that Islam is a political system. A moderate Muslim believes that Sharia law must not be allowed to operate as a political or legal system anywhere in the world. A Muslim who is trying to introduce Islamic law into western countries is trying to overthrow the Constitution and establish an Islamic theocracy. Such a person is a dangerous Muslim radical. Muslim groups who are trying to make America "sharia compliant" must be identified as extremist organizations and should not be recognized as religious institutions but as the political parties which they are. All the laws applied to political parties must be applied to Islamic organizations that are trying to introduce Islamic Sharia law into the laws of the United States and of Europe. (Radical Muslims will allow the U.S. Constitution to function as long as it is brought into conformity to and compliance with Islamic Sharia law. This means that Radical Muslim demands that the U.S. government recognize the supremacy of Koranic/Sharia law and that the U.S. Constitution operates within the framework of Islamic law and recognizes Sharia law as the highest authority.) Since Sharia law is a matter of personal choice, no woman should be coerced or pressured to wear a veil is she doesn't want to. Sharia law is believed by moderate Muslims to have no legal authority at all. Some Muslims protest and say that Sharia is the whole duty of man and the totality of life. Moderate Muslims believe that Sharia may be a Muslims free choice of lifestyle but it is only a lifestyle choice and has absolutely no force of law.

 

Principle Two: Violent Jihad is to be totally rejected.

 

Moderate Muslims do not only reject Jihad-they totally condemn the practice and the ideology of religious violence.

To a non-Muslim, the very idea of using violence to further a religion is viewed as repugnant. However, this is problematic for Muslims because Mohammed used religious violence. Mohammed had non-Muslims and Jews put to death. So therefore a Muslim must believe that religious violence was at one time valid. A moderate Muslim believes that only the prophet could engage in religious violence. A moderate Muslim will believe that holy war died with Mohammed. Any act of religious violence and aggression committed after the death of Mohammed will be condemned by a moderate Muslim. This means that a moderate Muslim will condemn the Islamic Conquests as unwarranted, unjustified, illegitimate acts of aggression committed against non-Muslims. Moderate Muslims will condemn the persecution of the Zoroasterian people and the persecution and massacres of Hindus by the Muslims are wrong and immoral. Moderate Muslims will work to expose and condemn the genocide committed against Armenian Christians that occurred the 1890s-1915. Moderate Muslims condemn the slaughter of the Greeks of Smyrna in 1925. Moderate Muslims believe that it was wrong for Muslim armies to invade and occupy Spain from 711 until 1492. Moderate Muslims believe that Muslim armies were wrong to invade and France in 732 it was wrong to Muslims to attack and sack Rome in 846 and that it was wrong to besiege Vienna in 1529 and 1683. Violent Jihad is not to be carried out anywhere in the world-ever!

 

Some Muslims protest and say that Jihad means "struggle" and has many levels of meaning besides engaging in acts of warfare. The fact of the matter is that one of the meanings of Jihad, in fact its primary meaning, is waging in religious violence and warfare against non-Muslims. If someone uses Jihad to mean an "internal struggle" that is not the issue here. Moderate Muslims specifically reject the form of Jihad as violent acts against non-Muslims. One only has to watch the film "Fitna" and "Obsession the Movie" to see many radical Muslims preaching Jihad as acts of religious violence against non-Muslims. Moderate Muslims do not allow people to cloud the issue by talking about an "internal Jihad." Moderate Muslims totally reject Jihad as a Muslim holy war. The concept is illegitimate, wrong and to be opposed. To a moderate Muslim, Jihad is over. Violent Jihad is not a valid concept anywhere in the world-and is an ideology that is to be totally rejected. There will nevermore be Jihad either. A moderate Muslim will never resort to violence and we expose false attempts to legitimize religious violence as "self-defense." Violent Jihad is always wrong and is indefensible.

 

Principle Three: Arab Christians and religious minorities that live in any Islamic country are completely equal to Muslims and are to enjoy full human rights

 

A moderate Muslim believes all non-Muslims everywhere in the world have complete freedom of religion and of speech.

This means that a moderate Muslim believes that non-Muslim have the right to freely and openly worship as they please and to publically proclaim their faith and share it with others. This means that a moderate Muslim believes that non-Muslims living in the Islamic world have the right to proselytize. Arab Christians, Assyrians, Copts, Yezidis and Jews and all other non-Muslim minority groups living in Muslim majority countries are held to be completely equal to Moslems by Moderate Muslims. Moderate Muslims hold that these minority groups should have complete freedom of religion and speech and are free to worship openly and even to "blaspheme" Mohammed, if they so choose. Moderate Muslims believe that Coptic and Assyrian Christians (and all other indigenous Middle Eastern Religions) have the right to freely operate web-sites, radio and television stations, and to publish books, magazines, journals and newspapers freely. Moderate Muslims believe that these non-Muslims are also free to construct and repair their religious structures. Moderate Muslims believe that all non-Muslims should be free from discrimination and not have to live in fear.

A moderate Muslim believes that Muslims were wrong to put the Roman Catholic Martyrs of Cordova to death from 851-859 A.D. and that it was wrong to persecute the Mozarabs in Islamic occupied Spain.

A Muslim is a Muslim by virtue of his or her belief that Mohammed is a prophet of Allah (Arabic for "God"). A non-Muslim does not believe that Mohammad is a prophet of God. Blasphemy Laws, such as are found in Pakistan, make disbelief and the statement of disbelief a capital crime. We need interfaith dialogue. Interfaith dialogue cannot take place in the midst of violence and threats of violence. Therefore, in order to have a full and open discussion Moderate Muslims oppose and condemn Blasphemy Laws. If Islam is the true religion, it should stand on its own merits and virtues and not need to resort to violence to silence opposition. A Moderate Muslim believes that God alone will be the judge of blasphemy and that He will judge blasphemy in the world to come. In this day and age, freedom of thought, inquiry, and speech is a right that is defended by Moderate Islam. These are basic human rights given by Allah to all mankind and are freedoms from Allah that are to be exercised everywhere in the world. (A Moderate Muslims believes that non-Muslims should have the liberty to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Currently, by Saudi Arabian law, any non-Muslim who enters into Mecca and Medina is to be immediately put to death. Such threats, hatred and intolerance have no place in Moderate Islam.) Asia Bibi, a 45 year old mother of fie was condemned to death in 2010 under Pakistan's "Blasphemy Laws" for "wounding the religious feelings" of her Muslim neighbors. This is absurd and Moderate Muslims demand that these "Blasphemy Laws" be repealed.

Moderate Muslim encourage all Muslims to read the Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible as they encourage Christians and Jews to read the Koran. This way we can all be informed of each others beliefs. This way we can have mutual understanding, mutual respect and greater tolerance.

 

 

Principle Four: All Muslims everywhere have complete freedom of religion and of speech

 

A moderate Muslim believes that any Moslem anywhere in the world has total religious freedom. This means that a moderate Muslim will support and defend the right of all Muslims to renounce Islam and to convert from Islam. A moderate Muslim supports any and all Muslims right to convert from Islam to agnosticism, atheism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or Judaism.

(This means no moderate Muslim will insist on conversion as a precondition to marriage.) Traditionally, Muslims do not have the right to convert from Islam and Sharia law states that any Muslim who converts from Islam is to be put to death. A moderate Muslim opposes this idea that a Muslim who converts from Islam must be put to death. A moderate Muslim believes all Muslims, even Muslims who live in Mecca and Medina, have the right to convert and renounce Islam and to become Atheist, Agnostic, Christians, Jewish, Buddhist or whatever religion or non-religious belief system they choose. Abdul Rahman was arrested in Afghanistan for being in possession of a Holy Bible. He was threatened with the death penalty for his conversion to Christianity. According to Afghan law, which follows to Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence, the penalty for "apostasy" from Islam is death. This illustrates why Sharia law must not have force of law. No one should be put to death for their religious beliefs. Moderate Muslims defend the right of Abdul Rahman or any other Muslim to convert from Islam.

 

If you do not believe in the Four Principles You are not a Moderate Muslim

 

Some people may protest-I am a moderate Muslim-will say-but I do not believe in your four principles. Then you are not a moderate. Someone who rejects the four principles would believe that America and all western countries should become Islamic theocracies, meaning that all laws must be derived from Sharia law, religious warfare is a valid concept, religious minorities in Islamic countries must be persecuted and that any Muslim who dares to convert from Islam must be put to death. Such a person is a dangerous Muslim radical and non-Muslims have the right to protect themselves from such a person and from his goals and ambitions.

 

For us to live in peace and harmony, for us to have true co-existence and mutual tolerance, Muslims must accept the four principles. If we are to preserve our freedoms, non-Muslims must insist upon the four principles. Non-Muslims have the right to defend themselves against Sharia law, against Jihad, and against the persecution of all non-Muslims and former Muslims. Moderate Muslims endeavor to truly make Islam a religion of peace through a reformation of Islam. This may be viewed by some as radical transformation or a brave new interpretation of the Islamic faith. Nevertheless, it is the way forward and the only way that Islam can truly live in peace with the global community.

 

 

Helpful Resources

 

A Simple Koran

 

The Religion of Peace www.thereligionofpeace.com

 

The Sword of the Prophet

 

Islam: What the West Needs to Know

 

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West

 

Beyond the Veil

 

Fitna (A short film by Geert Wilders)

 

Cruel and Unusual by Nonie Darwish

 

The Barnabas Fund

 

God's Battalions by Rodney Stark