Refuse Refuge

Those blasted terrorists (pun intended) are at it again, using the refugee crisis as a Trojan horse, just as the almighty Donald Trump had foreseen in his infinite wisdom.

Yea, we shalt not take in those in need, for fear for being blown to smithereens, saith the Lord.

Just kidding. That's from the Republican Bible.

Wait. That's not what scripture says? Correct, Padawan. Catch on quickly, you do.

All sarcasm aside, this is a pretty big deal. And instead of stringing you along point-by-point, before giving you the big reveal, like some mid-season finale, I'll just state the major point of this article right now: he who does not help those in need, is a coward.

I don't intend to use this article nor blog as a theological platform. I already have another blog to serve that purpose. However, it is my Christian brethren with whom I most make my appeal in this article, for I believe, of all people who should be willing to help those in need, it should be Christians at the top of the list.

This isn't just a religious matter, of course, though I will come at it from that angle at various points. We need to be aware of the fact that this is a matter of Americans being scared. That's right. You can deny it, play it off to be a matter of taking caution and preventing the possibility of another attack on American soil, but it's really just fear which prevents you from being a decent human being.

A Better Understanding of Islam

Social media is full of posts about nuking Muslim countries, sending in troops to slaughter them all, etc. You know, the things Jesus never said to do. We have allowed the media to do the thinking for us, and that's a very big problem. We are told ISIS is our enemy, yet our intervention in the Middle East is what created ISIS. So, here we are, wanting to remove Assad because he doesn't serve our interests, while we supposedly wage war on ISIS, who is also at war with Assad. And that's only part of the problem.

Meanwhile, the hate train is running ever smoothly in America, where we think we understand Muslim culture and beliefs. One of my favorite posts in the past couple days is a picture with verses from the Quran, something I had seen shared by almost a half dozen friends and acquaintances:

See, it is my experience that Christians can't even understand the Bible most of the time, let alone know enough of the Quran to share pictures citing verses they've never looked up for themselves. These same people, many of which babble like a baby to pretend to speak in tongues, and can't discern scripture enough to know the “end times” have long passed, have no business spreading hate toward a religion they don't understand. And since they can't feel bothered to check the verses their internet memes cite, I have decided to do so myself, analyzing some of the verses in the picture to the right (I will cover the first eight citations, but am willing to engage regarding the remaining four should someone wish to).

2.191: And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

First, I'd like to note that this is certainly contrary to Jesus' call for us to turn the other cheek. The Quran has many verses condoning violence, which is not in line with the Christian faith (should you disagree as per the Old Testament, please provide your proof-texts so that I may teach you what they really say and why they say it). However, consider the context of this verse, as well as what it actually says. If one makes it past the first seven words, perhaps they might notice the command to kill is only in the case of the enemy's oppression, returning unto the enemy that which has been done to them. What it does not say, is to just kill anyone and everyone, despite what the media and other sources might tell you it says.

Verse 190 teaches only to “fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you,” not to kill unnecessarily. In fact, verses 192 and 193 further enforce this point, as it is stated, “But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful,” and only to “fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression.” It is further written, “Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.” In other words, this passage calls for Muslims to defend themselves against those who seek to harm and oppress them. Contrary to Christ's teachings? Yes. A call to kill everyone who is not a Muslim? No.

3.28: Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah, except by way of precaution, that ye may guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.

Remember Paul's words about fellowship with unbelievers, that it is not good to be unequally yoked?

2 Corinthians 6:14: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?

This is, in essence, what the passage in the Quran is saying. Both are warning of the risk to one's faith should an unbeliever maintain fellowship with a believer; belief and disbelief are as darkness and light, separate and in opposition with each other. I suspect the Quran verse also regards the potential threat of violence at the hands of the unbeliever, in which case this verse is still only just a warning to stand guard in the presence of such company.

3.85: And whoever desires other than Islam as religion – never will it be accepted from him, and he, in the Hereafter, will be among the losers.

I think this sounds a whole lot like the (false) teaching of hell for unbelievers, as taught by Christians. Not sure why this was used in the picture. But while we're on this point, if the picture above is to prove that Islam is not a religion of peace based on damnation for unbelief, is Christianity a religion of peace whilst maintaining the same (mistaken) belief?

5.33: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;

This verse is rather clear: those who wage war against Muslims (i.e., the attacks come from the other side first) are to be punished. This is nothing that isn't stated in 2.191. Is it peaceful? No, it is not. But remember, it does not say to do this to anyone and everyone who is not a Muslim, but to do so to those who attack first. I do not condone such teaching, and neither does Jesus, but one must admit that it does sound like the typical Christian response to conflict (yeah, I'm talking about those of you who call for nukes to be dropped on Muslim nations). So, ask yourself, based on what this verse says, if you aren't waging war against a Muslim, do you have anything to worry about? Similarly, if you were pushed far enough, would you respond any differently?

8.12: Remember thy Lord inspired the angels: “I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.”

There are some things to consider. First of all, this text regards the spoils of war (8.1). And, as we learned from verses previously analyzed, such punishment is called for when war is waged against Muslims. But more to the point, while this is not “peaceful,” war isn't peaceful. If it were, it wouldn't be war. Secondly, what's not said is just as important: this isn't a command to behead unbelievers for fun, but rather to do so as punishment for waging war against Allah (8.13). Deuteronomy 7 has much to say regarding conflict between the Israelites and other nations, not the least of which is for the Israelites to “smite them, and utterly destroy them.” Deuteronomy 20 reads similarly, as regards the spoils of war.

The context of war continues throughout this Surah. According to the picture above, apparently 8.60 states, “Muslims must muster all weapons to terrorize the infidels.” But again, context is king; this all pertains to war. What is far more intriguing is the verse which follows, in which we read: “But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in Allah, for He is One that heareth and knoweth all things.” This is consistent with 2.190-193. Surah 8.65 is no different, addressing the reward of faithfulness during conflict. To summarize, 8.65 states that faith causes perseverance. Gee, I've never read that in the Bible before.

Surah 9.5 is the go-to verse for Islamophobes. The problem (apart from neglecting context)? Translation. (We know all about this, don't we, KJV users?) It would appear there are translation issues which cause discrepancy between this verse and the ones before it. This verse had been quoted by Osama bin Laden in 1996, and ever since then right-wingers have had a field day with it. Some common translations of this verse seem to command Muslims to “fight and slay Pagans” or “infidels,” but how it should actually read is, “...then kill the polytheists wherever you find them...” But even with the translation issues, context still prevents the Westernized interpretation.

Now, I'm not saying this verse is okay now that we know it says to kill polytheists. What I am getting at, is that context tells us how to read it. The Muslims (monotheists) had made treaties with the pagans (polytheists) (9.1). At that time, a third of Arabia had become Islamic. What is discussed in this Surah is that which came after the peace treaty of Hudaibiyah. Note, too, that this all pertains to the pilgrimage to Mecca. These “sacred months” are an allotted ceasefire, so to speak. This also assured their practices could be done safely and peacefully, allowing people to make their travels without harm. Surah 9.5 is not a universal declaration for killing pagans, but should be read within in its historical context. Treat yourselves to a little study on this Surah and you will quickly learn of this Surah's abuse, by both agenda-driven Muslims (extremists, one might say) and Westerners. (Here are a couple links for you to get started.)

I don't condone the killing of people for the sake of unbelief. Even the Old Testament contains a plethora of verses condoning the killing of not only unbelievers, but sinners in general. Yet, I'm willing to bet, if we suddenly had an Israeli refugee crisis on our hands, we wouldn't hesitate to take in Old Covenant-keeping Jews, whose law differs less than we might think from Islamic law.

I'm also not equating the Quran with the Bible. I know why God did things the way he did back then (hint: covenant faithfulness, honoring promises to the fathers, etc.), whereas the make-believe religion of Islam is nothing more than the vain delusions of a false prophet. But one must also realize the hypocrisy in rejecting an entire people based on the words of a holy book that only some have twisted for their agendas, when some of those very same words are found in our holy book. So, why the discrimination against Muslims? Is it because some of them have blown up themselves and others in the name of their religion? If that's the case, perhaps we should deport all the Catholics in America for the deeds committed by those whom Christianity has tried to distance itself from (do the Crusades ring a bell?).

These are touchy things to bring up, but we needn't be afraid to do so. It is my conclusion that we mustn't be so hasty to demonize every last Muslim based on a few verses the misinformed like to wave in our faces. Are there bad apples? Most certainly. Islamic extremism should not be ignored, let alone accepted. But are we going to disregard an entire people because of a few? Are we so enveloped in fear that we cannot provide love and care to the thousands in need solely because we might get some of those bad apples in our bunch?

                                                                         We Are Afraid

In the wake of 9/11, America grew to fear terrorism like never before. I have my own convictions as to what happened that day, who is responsible for it, etc., but I won't go into that now. What I do want to address is the fear that emerged from the ashes that day, fear that has yet to ebb fourteen years later.

We have been at war with the Middle East for a very, very long time. Since 9/11, we have had multiple wars over there and have created more problems than we've solved, one problem being ISIS themselves! Because of extremism, we have branded a religion of 1.5 billion people as “terrorism,” disregarding the fact that only a comparative handful actually fit that bill.

My Christian brethren, when someone brings up the Crusades, what do you tend to do? Blame it on the ones actually responsible, right? When someone correlates Christianity with the Westboro Baptist Church, what do you? Separate yourselves from such people, right? Even the cult denominations, like Mormonism, are but a different religion altogether in the minds of the Christian majority. And do any of you like it when our entire faith is defined by the few who have made it look bad? Of course not!

So why, then, must we be guilty of the same? I don't believe in the Muslim faith. I never have and never will. I recognize the bad apples among them, just as I recognize the bad apples among us. But I do not go so far as to view the Christian faith in a negative light because of few who make it look bad. This is the same issue we have with the demonization of law enforcement, which my Conservative friends loathe seeing. And as one who is working to become a homicide detective, I, too, do not like to see the bad apples become the face of all of law enforcement. How, then, can we justify demonizing the Muslims in this way?

None of you have even read the Quran to know what it teaches. Most of you have never even met a Muslim to know whether your stereotypes are justified. Instead of seeking solutions, you seek eradication. Instead of peace, you desire war. Instead of providing love, you generate hate. You don't want equality, you want convenience. You do not seek freedom and liberty, you seek oppression. So long as it benefits you, everyone else be damned. This is truly what it boils down to. In your fear, you have become nothing but hypocrites and cowards. We must set aside differences and reach peaceful solution. Lucky for you, I never address a topic without providing steps toward a solution. #JasonWatt2024

For starters, we have people at home who need our help. Our veterans need our help. Our homeless (of which many are veterans) need our help. Our veterans can hardly survive on their disability settlements, yet we want to bring in 10,000 refugees and put them on welfare. That simply doesn't work well for us, contrary to what our Democrat (Socialist) friends tell us. So, first and foremost, our own people need help.

Secondly, bringing in 10,000 or more refugees is not an option. Not all at once. Assuming there really is a concern of ISIS members infiltrating the refugees (a debatable concept), we will have much more success in containing such threats if we bring in small numbers at a time. Perhaps start very small, no more than a thousand at a time. It will allow us the opportunity to know just who we have brought into our country, their connections, etc.

Thirdly, welfare is not the solution. The employment situation in America is rough. No one (except our President) is oblivious to this. But this doesn't mean there aren't jobs available, namely the ones no one wants to do, and to be frank, government assistance is not providing incentive for people to find work. So, let's actually find people work. Let's get our homeless and veterans work. It may be degrading for some, but last I checked, fast food restaurants are always hiring. Gas stations are always hiring. Hotels are always hiring (namely housekeepers). There is work for those who wish to do it. If they don't want to work for minimum wage in a customer service job, there's no shortage of construction work in America. They can do grunt work, instead. The point, is that there are jobs available. It's just that no one wants to do them. And even if it's just to get these folks a little income to get them on their feet, it is better than nothing! It is certainly better than having tens of thousands more relying on federal assistance and in the grip of our government.

We need to be smart about this. There is probably no fail proof way to go about it. And let's face it: the Syrian refugees are not entitled to our country; it is not their right to come over here. But we have another truth to face: these are human beings, fleeing from conditions none of us wish to endure, who need love and open arms as much as the rest of us.

Who are we to turn our faces from people in need? What kind of message do we send as the human race, let alone as Christians, if our first response is one shrouded in fear? Shouldn't we strive to be best we can be, for ourselves and for others?

There is one race: the human race. In the end, are we not all the same?