Most likely you have heard the recent public declarations coming from all quarters that Islam is a peaceful religion.

From President George W. Bush, to most relgious leaders, to the average American calling in to a talk radio program, we are hearing that Islam is a peaceful religion.

It is further asserted that Osama bin Laden and the Taliban represent an "extremely radical Muslim fringe" that have "hijacked" the Muslim religion and are not really a representative interpretation of true Islam.

It may be that such an assertion and statement is, to a degree, more extreme than historic Islam.

However, it is certainly not true, when examining the facts, that Islam is in any way a peaceful religion, especially to outsiders.

First of all, we must understand that "Islam" means "submission", not "peace".   The term does not imply mere voluntary submission, but includes a forced submission where it's subjects will not comply.

Historically, Islam is not know for it's "peace movements", but for a uniquely Arab word we all now know as "jihad", which means "an offensive war intended to lead to the conversion of the infidel to Islam, or to the infidel's annihilation."

(Excerpt from A Cup of Trembling, page 196-197, author Dave Hunt)
"Islam is fighting a holy war for control of the world!  That war was begun by Mohammed himself in the seventh century and is still carried on today by his faithful followers through terrorism.  The terrorists are not radicals or extremists, as the media continually labels them.  Instead these are Islamic fundamentalists who are true to their religion and the teachings of the Koran, and who follow faithfully in the footsteps of their prophet, Mohammed. As one former Muslim and Islamic scholar has said:  'We must never imagine that such Muslims are being unnecessarily wicked. They are simply being faithful to their religion. The fact is never hidden as to the attitude a good Muslim should have towards Christians and Jews. In fact, much of the incitement to violence and war in the whole of the Quran is directed against Jews and Christians who reject what they felt to be the strange god Mohammed was to trying to preach.'"

It would appear that the 'extreme' version of Islam is closer to historic Islam than those who are followers of so-called 'mainstream' Islamic expressions.  Non-fundamentalist Muslims are the ones who have changed historically and moved away from the historic religion of Islam.

Anyone with even a casual acquaintance with Islam knows that the Koran is the authoritative scripture for the Muslim.  Yet, there are many direct quotes from the Koran advocating militancy toward the non-Muslim  -  Surah 9:5; Surah 9:29; Surah 9:41; Surah 5:33; Surah 2:29; Surah 2:41, Surah 4:76 - to name just a few.

Mohammed founded Islam with the sword, and his followers have maintained rule with the sword.  Subsequent generations have always spread Islam's oppressive rule with the sword.  One cannot be a true follow of Islam without holding to the tenets of the Koran, which advocates conversion by force.

In stark contrast, Chrisianity is a relationship of peace - peace with Jesus Christ.  This peace is to those who come to know the grace of God through belief in the Gospel message.  Christianity is peaceful in that the Bible does not advocate the spread of it's message in any way through the sword, but with words of love.  However, the Bible does teach that God, not man, will judge those who reject the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

We love the Muslims, and pray that they would all repent and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.