“But, add feelings to the list of those things that are now subject to scrutiny by the Islamist lobby in this country. First actions (South Park). Then words (Franklin Graham). Now feelings (Juan Williams). But, where will it end, especially in regards to Islam? Your guess is as good as mine. If CAIR and NPR keep getting their way, most Americans — both conservatives and even a few liberals — may no longer be able to recognize the First Amendment. Remember, the slippery slope always starts somewhere!” (From “Slippery Slopes: Speech, Islam & NPR“)
We can now add common-sense, reasonable opinion to that which is no longer worthy of First Amendment protection, at least if CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations), the Daily Kos, and other left-wing, anti-Christian groups get their way. The latest example of the slippery slope and the frontal assault on Free Speech and American values involves the host of Fox News’ “Huckabee.”
Mike Huckabee, a former (and perhaps future) Presidential candidate, is an ordained Southern Baptist pastor from Arkansas who has pastored churches in that state and even served as President of the Arkansas Baptist Convention. Huckabee, a conservative both theologically and politically, dared to offer an opinion regarding two Protestant churches who have opened up their facilities for local Muslim groups to use.
The two churches, Heartsong Church in Cordova, Tennessee and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Alexandria, Virginia, have both received criticism for their decision to allow Muslim groups to meet in the churches’ facilities. Last week, in an interview on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” Gov. Huckabee was asked his opinion and said:
“As much as I respect the autonomy of each local church, you just wonder, what are they thinking? If the purpose of a church is to push forward the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then you have a Muslim group that says that Jesus Christ and all the people who follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated, I have a hard time understanding that. I mean if a church is nothing more than a facility and a meeting place free for any and all viewpoints, without regard to what it is, then should the church be rented out to show adult movies on the weekend? I mean where does this end? How far does it go? I think the church facility, dedicated and paid for by people for the purpose of the gospel and the mission of the gospel ought to somehow be given at least a semblance of consistency with its intention.” (as quoted in Associated Baptist Press, see here)
As a fellow Southern Baptist, I would likewise affirm with Gov. Huckabee that the autonomy of the local church is a vital principle that should be respected. But, respect (and tolerance for that matter) does not equal acceptance or silence, no matter how much the intolerant left keep trying to make it so. I’m quite sure that leftists have a different definition of respect and tolerance when it comes to those who dare to disagree with their politically correct way of thinking.
What Mike Huckabee said, particularly in regards to the purpose and mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is not only Biblical, but entirely reasonable — that is, unless you are so intolerant and radicalized in your thinking that you cannot see plain truth if it was standing right in front of you. My main concern is not churches in Tennessee or Virginia allowing non-Biblical religions to worship non-Biblical gods in their facilities. Quite frankly, they have every right to use their property as they see fit (and I would defend their First Amendment rights), even if it is for foolish purposes.
However, supposedly Christian churches, in defending such foolishness, cannot escape scrutiny by twisting Scripture. To argue that allowing Muslims to use church facilities is nothing more than a straightforward application of the Biblical principle, “love your enemies,” is not only a simple misapplication of Scripture, but a gross distortion of God’s Word. I don’t think God was so tolerant as to like Baal worship in the Temple. That Gov. Huckabee called these churches to task should be applauded, not condemned.
But, condemned is just about what has happened since Gov. Huckabee spoke truth to the powers-that-be in our politically correct culture. From the usual suspects at CAIR to the unhinged left at the Daily Kos, the drumbeat continues to grow louder for Mike Huckabee to not only retract his statements but to grovel and apologize to the Islamist lobby in the United States of America.
I, for one, hope that Gov. Huckabee does issue an apology. In fact, I have one that he could use. It is fresh in my mind because I just used it this past Sunday during the messages that I preached at my church. Using Psalm 2 as the text, I shared about the One, True God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I talked about this One, True God — Yahweh, the God of Israel — and His Anointed One, Jesus Christ. I shared with the congregation how all other gods are false gods and how all other so-called prophets of these false gods are themselves false prophets. I named names.
I knew what I was saying could be offensive, so I offered a simple apology that went something like this:
“I am sorry if the truth offends you, but the truth is sometimes offensive and the Gospel is always offensive to those who set themselves against the One, True God and His Anointed One, Jesus Christ. However, I will continue to preach the truth in the United States as long as I am able.”
I would fully support Gov. Huckabee if he made such an apology. However, I would strongly encourage him to stand firm against the attacks being waged against him by CAIR and others on the intolerant left. When it comes to the Gospel and Person of Jesus Christ — who is fully God and fully man — the Second Person of the Trinity, the One who was crucified, buried, and Resurrected — there can be no apologies or compromise. Just when the slope seems to get even more slippery, I would encourage Gov. Huckabee and others to stand firm and not cede one inch of ground when it comes to the truth of the Gospel and Person of Jesus Christ, regardless of what CAIR thinks!
When the Muslims wanted to pass a bill that disallowed negative speech against other religions they had a public debate. Two Christians spoke against, two Muslims for. Ist muslim spent his time telling how the Bible was full of errors & the other how Jesus was not divine. Rules only apply to the other side. I have a question – did the churches reorient their pulpit so they are facing Mecca?
Dave,
As to the pulpit, nothing would surprise me! If the slippery slope continues, then we will end up like most of Western Europe. It seems that the slightest criticism of Islam is met with vicious attacks. What Huckabee said is entirely reasonable, but I fully expect that type of “hate” speech to be outlawed in this country, notwithstanding the First Amendment. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. God bless,
Howell
“and then you have a Muslim group that says that Jesus Christ and all the people who follow him are a bunch of infidels who should be essentially obliterated.”
I don’t know about the rest of the “Muslims” but I for one know for a fact that the above position does not represent Islam! I am sure that there are Muslims who make such statements and I question their understanding of the Quran which clearly states that the Muslims pray to the same God as Jew and Christians. This makes it clear to me that the Jews and the Christians are never to be considered as infidels! The Muslims who do not understand this simple fact are ignorant fools in my opinion…..What’s your excuse Mike Huckabee??
Sal,
Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. While your position is different than the one that Gov. Huckabee stated (as you quoted above), there are certainly strains of radical Islam that seem to be preaching and teaching that very thing. How deep and wide that strain is may be open for debate, but it is there. As to whether or not Muslims, Jews, and Christians pray to the same God, I would refer you to two of my earlier posts, http://www.fromlaw2grace.com/2010/12/03/dp-is-inter-faith-worship-possible and http://www.fromlaw2grace.com/2010/08/02/do-christians-muslims-worship-the-same-god.
While there are some Christians who believe that we all worship the same God, most conservative evangelicals (like Huckabee) do not believe that Muslims and Christians worship the same God because of our differing views on the person of Jesus. Let me ask you a sincere question if you would answer it, “Who do you say Jesus is?” How a person answers that question will determine what God he or she worships. While Huckabee could have used less inflammatory language, the truth of what he said (particularly in relation to the Gospel of Jesus and the person of Jesus) is a widely held belief among most Southern Baptists and other evangelicals, at least in the U.S. Look forward to the dialogue. Thanks again for stopping by and God bless,
Howell
Can you show me a mosque in the US or in North Africa & Middle East that would allow a Christian church to hold services in that mosque? We do not worship the same God – if one reads the Qur’an & the Bible, it is clear that they are not the same.
There is a spectrum in these matters. Steven Miller will help you understand where Billy Graham falls in the spectrum.
And Charles Kimball stands as an antidote to your well meaning convictions on this matter that in the long run, with more insight, may not be the mind of Christ you think it to be.
I don’t claim absolute truth or insight in the matter. I have however placed my salvation in my conversion to Jesus.
In the meantime consider this:
http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6151/53/
Stephen,
Thanks for the link. I think that Christians in America should stand up for the freedom of others, especially in the Middle East. In terms of the mind of Christ, I wish I could say that I have it more than I do, but alas, I do not. As for where anyone’s ultimate salvation is found, I can only stand upon God’s Word and say that I believe salvation is found only in and through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the Cross for our sins. Thanks for stopping by. Trust you are doing well. God bless,
Howell