More radicals outside than inside

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

More radicals outside than inside

The book review continues... 

Chapter Three: The Reformers

Mr. Wallace opines that there exists today, in the media, Islamic reformers that are trying to promote the fantasy that Islam is a religion of peace. (23).

Wallace reasons that American leaders, politically favour this palatable form of Islam. (23). The author states that these political leaders have not done the required research into the Islamic scripture to even know if Islam is indeed a religion of peace. (23).

I can agree that the majority of persons in the Western world, have no significant education in religious studies and philosophy. These would include politicians...

Mr. Wallace explains that orthodox Muslims view these reformers as heretics (24), blasphemers (24), that have changed the message of Allah from the Qur'an. (24). Wallace opines that many radical Islamists can cloak themselves as reformers, for a time while living in America. (24).

And/or in the West, I would reason.

It has been opined in this review series that radical Islam has at least some significant similarities in regard to views on Jihad and Holy War, to Quranic Islam:

October 19

Quran.com 9:29

SAHIH INTERNATIONAL

'Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.' 

In regard to Qur'an 9. 29 according to Nigosian states, quote in part: 'Fight against those who believe not in God, nor in the last day, who prohibit not what God and his Prophet have prohibited, and who refuse allegiance to the true faith.' (448).

Again, as I have basically stated within my review series, a radical Islamic view of Jihad/Holy War, or even the similar orthodox Islamic view on Jihad/Holy, is by no means the likely view to be embraced by liberalized, westernized Muslims. Muslims that have left Islamic countries for Western ones, are in the majority, more likely to further embrace Western secularism and liberalized Islam, than radical and/or conservative forms of Islam.

Those that are radicalized within Islam; those that are conservative and orthodox within Islamic, will largely remain located within Islamic nations.

In regard to Islam and the Western world, it could be stated that there would be:

More radicals outside than inside.

NIGOSIAN, S.A. (1994) World Faiths, New York, St. Martin’s Press.

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

Christianity and the Enlightenment are not completely antithetical (PhD Edit)

Canada.ca 2017

PhD, University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter, 2010: Theodicy and Practical Theology 

MPhil, Bangor University, 2003: The Problem of Evil: Anglican and Baptist Perspectives 

Hille explains that considerations on evil and the existence of God led to a criticism of Christianity and religion in Europe in the Eighteenth century and to some degree earlier. Hille (2004: 22).

The Eighteenth century was when Leibniz’ book Theodicy, Leibniz, G.W. (1710)(1998) was published as was previously noted, and this era of history was when much of the modern debate concerning the problem of evil and theodicy began. Hille (2004: 22). Theistic and Christian theodicy are therefore largely a response to initial Seventeenth, and primarily Eighteenth century and forward, secular criticisms of the theology and philosophy of God within religion and Christianity. Hille (2004: 22).

Veith explains that this age of reason features scientific discovery, and the rejection of much of revealed religion in favour of a reliance on reason. Veith (1994: 32-33). It was thought for a time that science could explain all of existence. Veith (1994: 32-33).

The term ‘Enlightenment’ refers to the philosophical movement among seventeenth and eighteenth century Western intellectuals. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 44-45). Enlightenment thinkers tended to reject external sources of knowledge and elevated human reasoning. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 44-45). Biblical doctrines were therefore under suspicion. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 44-45). In contrast, the Bible records these revealed events and they are perceived through faith for significance. Pailin (1999: 505).

Lindsell would support a traditional understanding of Biblical revelation where he states that through special supernatural revelation in Scripture, Jesus Christ is revealed to selected persons. Lindsell does not believe that a human being can be saved outside of this revelation. Lindsell (1976: 17). Grenz and Olson point out that the Enlightenment understanding of reason would no longer allow the Church to be the sole teacher of Bible and Christian doctrine. Grenz and Olson (1992: 21). Individuals with the use of reason would need to question Church teaching. Grenz and Olson (1992: 21).

Modernity was the dominant worldview heavily influenced by the Enlightenment. Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling (1999: 79-80).

Individual church members and attendees understanding of Scripture and theology is an integral part of modern evangelical thought, and this can be traced back to Enlightenment thinking, and to some degree the Reformation. Christianity and the Enlightenment are not completely antithetical, as they are both modernist philosophies which overlap at points in their pursuit of truth. Veith (1994: 43). Veith writes that in the late twentieth century these views have been replaced by post-modernism, which has less emphasis on absolute truth. Veith (1994: 19). This is not to state that post-modernism completely sets aside the concept of truth, but post-modern philosophies are often less dogmatic in approach than ones from the modern era.

GRENZ, STANLEY J., DAVID GURETZKI AND CHERITH FEE NORDLING (1999) Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms, Downers Grove, Ill., InterVarsity Press.

HILLE, ROLF (2004) ‘A Biblical-Theological Response to the Problem of Theodicy in the Context of the Modern Criticism of Religion’, in Evangelical Review of Theology, Volume 28, Number 1, pp. 21-37. Carlisle, UK, Evangelical Review of Theology.

LEIBNIZ, G.W. (1710)(1998) Theodicy, Translated by E.M. Huggard Chicago, Open Court Classics.

LINDSELL, HAROLD (1976) The Battle for the Bible, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Deism’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Enlightenment’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Process Theology’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

PAILIN, DAVID A. (1999) ‘Revelation’, in Alan Richardson and John Bowden (eds.), A New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Kent, SCM Press Ltd.

VEITH, GENE EDWARD, JR. (1994) Postmodern Times, Wheaton Illinois, Crossway Books.

Boxing Day, but not in the USA

Rio De Janeiro at night: Sort of Christmas like...

Boxing Day, but not in the USA

Ultimate History Project.com

Cited

'In Ireland it is called Lá an Dreoilín, (The Day of the Wren) or Stephen’s Day. In England it is Boxing Day. On the Isle of Man, it is Laa'l Steaoin (Stephen’s Feast Day). Traditionally celebrated on December 26th, this is a day of customs ancient and modern; strange and ordinary.

As an official holiday, Boxing Day is actually of comparatively recent origin: Queen Victoria included December 26th in the Bank Holidays Act passed by the British Parliament in 1871.

The fact that it became an official holiday (a day when all banks are closed) at a time when the British Empire included Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada explains why it is celebrated in most parts of the British Commonwealth. The Republic of Ireland, which gained its independence from Britain in 1921, continues to celebrate the day as a bank holiday but does not use the term Boxing Day.'

Cited

'The name Boxing Day embodies the confusion surrounding the origins of the holiday. Samuel Pepys hinted at its origins when he recorded his diary entry for December 19th, 1663: “Thence by coach to my shoemaker’s and paid all there, and gave something to the boys’ box against Christmas.”

Almost fifty years later, Jonathan Swift complained,

By the Lord Harry, I shall be undone here with Christmas boxes. The rogues of the coffee-house have raised their tax, every one giving a crown, and I gave mine for shame, besides a great many half-crowns to great men’s porters”.'

Cited

'By the nineteenth century, Boxing Day, rather than Christmas or the days preceding it, became the day on which these tradesmen and in particular, postal workers were given boxed gifts or monetary tips in thanks for their services.'

Cited

'WHY ST. STEPHEN?

At the same time, it is no coincidence that Boxing Day falls on the Feast of St. Stephen. While there are several different saints named Stephen, December 26th is the Feast day of Stephen, Proto-martyr.-- Stephen appears in The Acts of the Apostles as one of seven men named to help ensure that the distribution of alms to widows in the early Christian church is done fairly.

Eventually, Stephen preached a sermon taking the people to task for poor behavior: they responded by stoning him to death. As the first Christian martyr he holds an important place in the church calendar. He is frequently depicted with a stone in one hand and the palm of martyrdom in the other.

Stephen embraced the gospel in opposition to religious leaders in Acts 7

Most importantly however, he is associated with the giving of alms and the locked boxes kept in churches for donations. These boxes were traditionally opened on St. Stephen’s day and the money distributed to the needy.

The connection of December 26th with poor boxes provides another plausible explanation of the term "Boxing Day."'

Cited

Whether through the box used to collect the money or the box used to house the wren, the day had also become inextricably mixed up with Boxing Day.

'However Boxing Day came to be, it has become a holiday of rest, relaxation, and time with family and friends for those who recognize it.

Today, Boxing Day is a day on which sporting events, shopping, and eating a second feast take precedence over giving tips and hunting birds.

Time: December 26, 2013

From this classic American source:

'If you’re looking for something that explains the origins of Boxing Day, well, you’re not going to find it here. The day-after-Christmas holiday is celebrated by most countries in the Commonwealth, but in a what-were-we-doing-again? bout of amnesia, none of them are really sure what they’re celebrating, when it started or why.

The best clue to Boxing Day’s origins can be found in the song “Good King Wenceslas.” According to the Christmas carol, Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, was surveying his land on St. Stephen’s Day — Dec. 26 — when he saw a poor man gathering wood in the middle of a snowstorm. Moved, the King gathered up surplus food and wine and carried them through the blizzard to the peasant’s door. The alms-giving tradition has always been closely associated with the Christmas season — hence the canned-food drives and Salvation Army Santas that pepper our neighborhoods during the winter — but King Wenceslas’ good deed came the day after Christmas, when the English poor received most of their charity.'

Cited

'Boxing Day has been a national holiday in England, Wales, Ireland and Canada since 1871. For years in which the holiday falls on a weekend, the celebration is moved to make sure workers still get a day off (except in Canada, where it remains Dec. 26), but since visits to Grandma and other family obligations are fulfilled on Christmas, there isn’t anything left to do on Boxing Day except eat leftovers, drink and watch TV. Just as Americans watch football on Thanksgiving, the Brits have Boxing Day soccer matches and horse races. If they’re particularly wealthy or live in the country, they might even participate in a fox hunt.'
---

Yes, I just watched part of an English Premier League, football match, today.

But boxes are taken out in America today, too, even though there was an American Revolution and the United States of America is independent from the United Kingdom.

So these reasonably academic presentations have demonstrated that there is more to Boxing Day than my childhood tradition of taking my empty toy boxes to the trash on December 26.

A different kind of Reformation

WALLACE TOM Jr. (2015) Refuting Islam, The Christian Patriots Guide to Exposing the Evils of Islam, Bellingham, Fundamental Publishers.

The book review continues... 

Chapter Three: The Reformers

Mr. Wallace opines that many (In the Western world) are attempting to reform Islam as a 'kinder', 'gentler' religion. (21).

He explains that this revised Allah is a fictional god of people's imagination, not in agreement with the Qur'an. Certain people do not like the judgmental Allah that is war-like. (21). Mr. Wallace reasons that Islam cannot be reformed. As example, an orthodox, Quranic Islam interpretation, should not ignore the (later) verses from the Qur'an that are more militant and cling to the earlier more peaceful passages from the Qur'an.

A reminder of the theory of open-ended verses within Islam:

October 24 2017

Religion of Peace

Quote

'Does the Quran really contain over a hundred verses promoting violence? The Quran contains at least 109 verses that call Muslims to war with nonbelievers for the sake of Islamic rule. Some are quite graphic, with commands to chop off heads and fingers and kill infidels wherever they may be hiding. Muslims who do not join the fight are called 'hypocrites' and warned that Allah will send them to Hell if they do not join the slaughter.

Unlike nearly all of the Old Testament verses of violence, most verses of violence in the Quran are open-ended, meaning that they are not necessarily restrained by historical context contained in the surrounding text (although many Muslims choose to think of them that way). They are part of the eternal, unchanging word of Allah, and just as relevant or subject to interpretation as anything else in the Quran.

The context of violent passages is more ambiguous than might be expected of a perfect book from a loving God. Most contemporary Muslims exercise a personal choice to interpret their holy book's call to arms according to their own moral preconceptions about justifiable violence.

Islam apologists cater to these preferences with tenuous arguments that gloss over historical fact and generally don't stand up to scrutiny. Still, it is important to note that the problem is not bad people, but bad ideology. Unfortunately, there are very few verses of tolerance and peace to balance out the many that call for nonbelievers to be fought and subdued until they either accept humiliation, convert to Islam, or are killed. Muhammad's own martial legacy, along with the remarkable stress on violence found in the Quran, have produced a trail of blood and tears across world history.'

End citation

'Most contemporary Muslims exercise a personal choice to interpret their holy book's call to arms according to their own moral preconceptions about justifiable violence. '

This worldview approach by liberalized, Western Muslims will often reinterpret Allah, the Qur'an and the Sunnah through a reformed view. I tend to agree with Mr. Wallace that this will not be orthodox Islam, but at the same time I do not see the growth of Western Islamic population leading to a serious threat of radical Islamic rule in any Western country. It is theoretically possible, but does not seem likely to occur.

I am open to future correction, but as noted in this review series, I see secularism as the prominent Western worldview for now and decades in the future.

Islam in the West may very well pass all forms of Christianity in population.

London: metrouk2.files.com