27 August 2010
Greetings from Tyler,
There’s no denying the fact that the tensions between western culture and Islam are on the rise. The debate over the 9-11 victory mosque, already approved by New York City officials, has only gotten hotter over the past week and promises not to go away anytime soon. As you may have seen, rival protests have been held at the site of the proposed mosque with the two sides being kept some distance apart lest emotions boil over into a brawl.
How is it that a “religion” which recognizes no separation between church and state, demanding that any Muslim state actually enforce the dictates of Islam, can put forward representatives to lecture us about American values? Despite the fact that the liberal left reviles any talk of America’s Judeo-Christian heritage, wants it banned from the schoolhouse, the courthouse and the public square, nevertheless believes the “state” should recognize Muslim “rights” in our society. Would it be wrong to point out that there are no rights or freedoms in nations that are under Muslim rule?
The fact is that the religion of Islam calls explicitly for the subjugation of all nations, and urges its followers to put to death those who resist. Several photos from past Islamic demonstrations in London are being forwarded around again amid the current debate. Numerous of them say, “Behead those who insult Islam”. Another says, “Freedom, go to hell”. Another, “Exterminate those who slander Islam”, and Europe is the cancer, Islam is the answer”; “Europe you will pay, your 911 is on the way.”
We’ve entered a battle between Islam and western culture, and it appears that the media, academia and quite possibly the current administrative branch of our government are ambivalent at best, and at worst promoting the cause of our enemies. Some of the buzz this week has centered around news that the imam spearheading the ground zero mosque project is traveling abroad at the expense of the U.S. State Department doing, well, nobody seems quite sure what. He’s been widely quoted as saying the West has more innocent blood on its hands that al Qaeda.
Germany has big trouble with its Islamic communities, and the fires of cultural and religious hatred are gaining strength. Sharia courts and councils are operating in the Islamic communities of Europe and of England, and that’s a stated goal for the United States as well. Our president described the Muslim call to prayer as one of the most beautiful sounds on earth. Those “prayers” incidentally, call for our death and destruction. Debate over all these issues is gaining tremendous attention here in the U.S. of late, but the problems are much more severe across Europe, and that is the stuff of end time Bible prophecy.
The other news that is terribly troubling for all of us here in the United States is the tremendous doom and gloom over our economic outlook. This week one economist declared we’re actually in a technical depression, while administration officials keep telling us that everything is ok. Still, numerous economists are warning of the strong possibility of a full blown crash, and a severely depleted if not ruined dollar. We sure hope they’re wrong.
I’m traveling with my Mom for a visit to the Sacramento congregation at Mr. John Mitchell’s behest. We’re hoping for a good turnout, and that this Sabbath will be a boost for attendance at the upcoming Feast of Tabernacles. The update is written early this week, and will include recent telecast responses next time. Until then, thanks to all of you who make it all possible. We appreciate your efforts in the local groups and in support of the overall work.
Have a great Sabbath,
Mark Armstrong
Intercontinental Church of God