The Issues with Islam and the Ground Zero Mosque

A strange multi-focus – religiously, historically and politically – is centered on a damaged building near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. A professedly moderate Muslim imam, Faisel Rauf, who interestingly has been sent to foreign nations as an official U.S. government spokesman for better Islamic relations, wants to build a 13-story mosque two blocks from the site of the 9/11 attacks.

Critics point out that Muslims, whatever their brand, were the sole perpetrators of the disaster, and the Muslim mosque, legally permissible as it might be, merely refreshes painful memories and opens old wounds.

The imam’s wife, Daisy Khan, worsened the strife last Sunday by saying, “We are deeply concerned, because this is like a metastasized anti-Semitism.” She added, “It’s beyond Islamophobia. It’s hate of Muslims.”

It has been wisely observed that hatred of Muslim never materialized after the 9/11 attacks. Islam generally was not blamed nor were mosques set upon. But the proposed multi-story building by the Cordoba Initiative is just too similar to historic mosque-building associated with Islamic takeovers of captured churches and synagogues.

The name refers to Cordoba, Spain, which 1,000 years ago, was a great city that was dominated both politically and religiously by Islam. The imam says the name reflects the peaceful co-existence between Muslims and other faiths, but Cordoba was conquered through jihad, and the mosque there was originally a church.

Other cities where mosques were built over churches include Damascus, Jerusalem and Constantinople. Gabriel Scheinmann wrote in an August 23, 2010 blog, “Moreover, recent territories that have returned to Muslim rule following decolonization have seen the return of the conversions of religious sites into mosques. Muammar Qaddafi, the ruler of Libya, converted 78 synagogues into mosques in the 1970s. In 1975, the Great Synagogue of Oran was confiscated by the Algerian government and similarly transformed.”

Of special concern is the prominent victory memorial in Jerusalem known as the Dome of the Rock, which is a showcase of Islamic dominance, forbidden turf for Jews and a solemn warning to Christians.

Inside are inscribed these discriminatory words against Christians: “O People of the Book! Do not exaggerate in your religion nor utter aught concerning God save the truth. The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only a Messenger of God, and His Word which He conveyed unto Mary, and a spirit from Him. So believe in God and His messengers, and say not ‘Three’ - Cease! (it is) better for you! - God is only One God. Far be it removed from His transcendent majesty that He should have a son. ... Whoso disbelieveth the revelations of God (will find that) lo! God is swift at reckoning!”

Little wonder that many have severe misgivings about a 13-story mosque built on a site where flaming wreckage fell on 9/11. Hundreds of years of Muslim oppression is now nominally to be restored in lower Manhattan as an example of peace and harmony.

Careful Christian students of Islamic history, while not fostering religious discrimination, will likely reject plans for a subtle Islamic victory monument in the heart of the cultural, communications and financial heartland of the Western world.

They wonder about the extra-biblical revelation given to Mohammed from the angel Gabriel in 610 AD (and for forty years following), which was years after the birth of Christ, especially since Revelation 22:17–19 says revelation is hereby finished. They wonder about a prophet who first thought his visions were the result of demon possession, who received them in sweaty fits often terrorizing those nearby.

They have trouble seeing the divine wisdom of establishing one pagan god among many as the ultimate deity and of worshipping a moon god (Al Illah) as depicted by a crescent moon atop every mosque. They are puzzled by the “Satanic verses” uttered by Mohammed which originally proposed worship of the moon god’s daughters. They wonder about a criticism of the Trinity, which Muslims falsely believe is Father God, Virgin Mary and Jesus, who Islam says was neither crucified nor rose from the dead.

Others can’t figure how four wives for any Muslim man is okay, but the Prophet Mohammed was a divinely given revelation of 13 wives as an exception. Some can’t figure out how women are demeaned as less than men in worth or for testimony purposes.

Some are curious about the killing and pillage that financed early Muslim advance. Still others can’t figure how military jihad was recommended for taking new territory if other means were ineffective.

And some wonder how the Quran freely contradicts itself yet is revered as the Word of Allah.

Currently, some question how a New York imam who declares that America has more blood on its hands than Al-Qaeda can be the honored moving force to raise millions of dollars for a mosque near Ground Zero and how the Imam can be sent world-wide to improve international Muslim relations.

They also wonder how a U.S. president can compliment Islam in international speeches while apologizing for America, can bow to a Saudi King and can sponsor a Ramadan dinner in the White House in which he gave a speech touting the constitutionality of the Ground Zero mosque. Some of the leaders at that dinner are said to be associated with anti-American causes.

Further many wonder at the wisdom of even considering including Sharia law in America’s legal system. Sharia law is a convoluted and sometimes barbaric codification of outdated Islamic regulations about every aspect of Muslim life.

Not a few are concerned about the mathematical reality of “only” 10% of the Muslim world being radically militant. The Muslim population worldwide is estimated at 1.57 billion globally, 23% of the world’s population. Ten percent of that means more than a million and a half radicals who would be committed to violent jihad. Many say something drastic has to be done by peace-loving Muslims about their radical 10%. Building a mosque at Ground Zero doesn’t address this problem.

What are the real issues for Christians? All this may have come about because there was no Arabic translation of the Bible in 610 AD when Mohammed’s visions began. He did not know what the Bible said, which opens the mind for anything the Devil wants to say.

Divine visions beyond the conclusion of Scripture with John’s penning of Revelation, veer sharply away from God’s truth.

Paul had it right in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” (emphasis mine)

And Galatians 1:6-9 says, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (emphasis mine)

That’s a flashback of an Old Testament disorder found in 1 Kings 13 where one prophet was deceived by another and it cost him his life. The false prophet said that an angel had spoken to him, and the true prophet believed him. Because he was taken in by falsehood, he was slain by a lion. (See 1 Kings 13 for the full story.)

This issue for believers is not about constitutional religious freedom but a clear perception of what is truth and what is error. Believers must understand that the extra-biblical system of Islam pits them against any and all competitors, and, without a strong spiritual defense, our personal freedoms and our entire country are jeopardized. Let us pray for spiritual discernment in a confused age. Let us pray for wisdom for our country’s leaders in such a confused time. And let us carefully study God’s Word and get dressed for battle.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the Wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Dave Virkler

For more on this subject, listen to September 5 broadcast of "The Word And The World" at our website (www.wordandtheworld.org). After they air, broadcasts are archived there for 12 weeks.