9 thoughts on “Not in my backyard (2)”

1. Excellent post.

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2. Yes the DNJ repritned what Pastor Allen actually said, but they didn’t quote his entire two minute speech. His purpose at the meeting was to request an expanded public hearing and he gave 2 reasons why. He also states in the beginning of his speech that he is an, “advocate for tolerance and thankful for the diversity of our community.” His two reasons were this: 1) “Any group who states a desire to initiate change in our community, as they move towards it, as this group has, should be thoroughly understood before they are granted permission.” 2) Out of respect for our brave young men and women in Afganistian and Iraq. They are combating radical Islam, and I will underscore RADICAL ISLAM. I would submit to you we have a duty here at home to understand thoroughly the nature, the intent, the funding of any group that is being invited into our community under that general banner.” You can view the entire county commission meeting at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWO_9ApSyg8&feature=related. The discussion regarding the mosque begins at the 57 min mark.

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   • Thanks for the link. However, I still believe the pastors comments are out of line. Why hasn’t he reached out to the leaders of the mosque and actually got to know them himself in order to share the gospel with them instead of making public statements about what he thinks their intent may be? The fact remains that the world has come to his doorstep. Besides they have been there for years. They have just outgrown their present facilities.

     Bob Roberts, an evangelical from Texas, is a leading voice on developing relationships with Muslims. See this post in particular: http://tinyurl.com/244n58u

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     • How do you know he hasn’t done that? I’ve been going to this church for 15+ years, and I asure you he has reached out to this group. Actually, the center held a open house last weekend, I didn’t attend, but reports from people who did attend say that the islamic people made it very clear that Pastor Allen was misquoted, and spoke highly of him.

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       • Good to hear! But my question remains, “Why the fearful comments?”

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3. sounds like you should have gotten more information before forming your own opinion about what this pastor did or did not say and then in turn indirectly spreading gossip.

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   • The orignal quote came from ABC News and then the Daily News Journal posted the full quote. My intent is not to spread gossip and I stand by my analysis of his comments as fearful and unnecessary if the pastor is indeed trying to build bridges to the gospel with the Islamic community in his city. If you wish to engage in a discussion of how the church can engage people of different religious backgrounds in our communities, I welcome that. See my approaches to Muslims in this post and the links I have provided to others.

     Thanks for weighing in.

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4. Whenever I see people that say they are Christians express fear of Muslims or any other religion it seems to me that they are showing a lack of faith in what they profess to believe as well as a lack of understanding of Christ’s teachings. If we truly serve the one true God, as I believe we do, there is nothing in this world that we have to fear, as Christ said we will prevail even against Satan and the gates of Hell itself. If Christians fear a Muslim takeover of the USA as many right-wing pundits constantly say, then that only shows that we are not doing our duty as Christ’s disciples and preaching the gospel to the lost & unsaved in this country or the rest of the world. If Islam or aetheism prevails in the world we have only to look in the mirror to see who is at fault- it will be us.

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   • Agreed

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