Response to “Allah or Jesus: By Rick Mathes” forwarded email

From the onset, allow me to explain my desire to respond to the recently circulated email containing the story of the Imam’s responses to Rick Mathes, the intenerate preacher and executive director of Mission Gate Ministries. While I was disheartened to notice that such emails continued to portray individuals and cultural traditions in a negative light, I recognized an opportunity within the Internet meme as well. If such misconceptions exist, then perhaps the desire to delve deeper into the claimed facts will facilitate a growth of examination and research, and thus produce greater understanding and tolerance within our homes, communities, and nations. It is for this purpose and with these ends in mind that I undertake to give some background on the “Can this be true: Allah or the Lord Jesus Christ – by Rick Mathes”.

At first examination, I dismissed the forwarded email as a fabricated tale, designed to foster support for one denomination over the other, as well as distinguish one culture as superior to another. Nevertheless, a quick google search exposed the account as an honest and factual retelling of a particular instance occurring in a correction facility in Fulton, Missouri, as retold by Rick Mathes. Rick Mathes is himself a distinguished philanthropist, splitting much of his time between social work in the communities and within correctional facilities, acting as executive director of Mission Gates Ministries. However, Rick Mathes is neither a trained theologian, nor schooled in Islamic Studies. Unfortunately, the retelling of this event, without proper understanding of the situation, individuals present, and philosophical intricacies of theological/cultural/political discussion, leaves the reader with a false supposition of reality.

To begin, the Imam in question was not trained in Islamic theology. In fact, the Imam was an inmate, recognized by his fellow peers within the institution as charismatic and devout. Unlike Christianity, in which the order of ordination and ministry often follows the examples of the ancient hierarchical structures of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, specifically honoring organization and accountability to higher recognized authorities, Islam has another unique organizational structure, involving community recognition and commonly accepted credentials, typically involving extended years of training and instruction. However, in a pinch, the Ummah, or community of believers, may recognize one as the leader of the group, albeit with reservation and community decisions. The Imam does not act as the supreme religious head of most Ummah’s, but more as the facilitator of group discussion and prayer, the responsibility of religious observation falling on each particular member individually. In this particular case, the Imam in question had an unfortunate complete lack of understanding regarding Islam (submission or worship of God), the Qu’ran (The believed/accepted revealed Word of God) or the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (The traditional sayings and actions of Muhammad). I say unfortunate, because his response was completely misleading and erroneous.

Islam, contrary to popular opinion propagated by news sources and talking pundits, is a religion of peace. Obviously, history has accredited much violence to the standard of the religion, but this is neither new, nor accurate. Contrary to the claims of atheist secularists such as Dawkins and Hitchins, religion is not the cause of human misery or suffering, nor is it the point of confrontation from which atrocities arise. Instead, religion has been used by the skillful and manipulative as the outward commonality under which political aspirations may be attained. Religion, on the other hand, is a set of principles, typically outlining peace, understanding, love and mutual respect. The Golden Rule is golden for a reason, because it transcends geopolitical boarders and philosophical differences, unifying religious thought throughout the world. Islam in particular advocated the love of the divine for humanity, and the continued process of revelation facilitating the twahid (unity) of all people. The central message of Islam states “There is no god but God”. The statement may be read through a myriad of interpretations, but the most commonly accepted across nations and religious denominations concerns the unity of all natural existence, living and static. True harmony, Islam claims, exists when each recognizes the interconnectivity of all beings, and the dual nature of each reality. In this philosophical vein, only through understanding that which seems different can one understand oneself, and appreciate the manifestation of the transcendental, of the divine, of God, in everything.

Islam, separate from later interpretations of nations, individuals and political groups, does not call for the death of anyone, nor does it claim any term such as infidel. In fact, no such word exists in the Arabic, the word from which infidel is usually translated, albeit poorly, is kafir, or literally “one who covers, or is in hiding”, referring primarily to atheists or polytheists. Infidel in fact, has a uniquely English epistemology, and referred originally to those who rejected the divinity of Christ, or were free thinkers. Specifically, it was utilized during the crusades as a derogatory term for Muslims and Jews, and was used proficiently to persuade the Christian Knights, and later inquisitors, in the right action of war and inflicting death on the Saracen Muslims and Jews. Secondarily, the Qu’ran, and Muhammad as well, specifically opposed the use of any violence, or derogatory term toward his Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian neighbors, (who, by the way receive the honorary title “people of the Book”, meaning people under covenant of God) under punishment of exclusion and expulsion from the Ummah, or Muslim community. Likewise, there are no promises for rewards in heaven for murder, be it for a kafir or one of the People of the Book. Such a passage does not exist.

There are other inaccuracies contained in the short passage, however, I will not examine them in more detail. Instead, I have sought to outline some of the background and information necessary to glean comprehensive facts from this story. The event that happened in the prison was unfortunate; because it famed the flames of misunderstanding and bigotry further then they have already been stoked in modern western society.

Rick Mathes comments more about his experience on his webpage, but continues to resist examining the reality of the situation further, and thus remains stagnant in the quagmire of false assumptions and overzealous faith in his own correctness of religious thought.

I hope all who take the time to read this realize it was not written in hostility or with the aim of trumpeting a point of view. I wrote this because I care for my family, for my community, my country, the peoples of the world, religious and political pluralism, and the triumph of reason and rationality. I love the central tenant of Islam, not because it is found in my own belief system, but because it is accurate. There is unity and harmony in all things. Misunderstanding and lack of information breed fear and fear breed blindness. Examination and understanding produce love, peace and harmony. I think we can all aspire toward that.

For those interested, I will post this email on my blog at http://maffersalmon.wordpress.com/ along with links to the relivant sites and information for further research.

~ by maffersalmon on June 21, 2008.