Saudi Prince Donates $40M to Universities

[DavidsonBap]

The deal is, Islam is here today and we must work together and deal with it. It is not going anywhere. Some guy has donated millions for education...that's a good thing. I have converted many a Muslim because I know the Islamic faith. I have seen many a sister or brother fail at that because they spewed wrong information and lost respect of those they were trying to assist.

You can look at this as sort of an education that is a valuable tool to bring people to Christ. You cannot convert Muslims unless you know about Muslims - that is why they are the hardest people to convert because of our lack of understanding.

 

[Johnv]

DavidsonBap, Bro Curtis would have people believe that you violated Jesus' command because you studied the Islamic faith.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I completely reject that. Jonah only knew that he hated the Ninevites, yet he converted a whole city, by simply obeying the lord.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

John, kindly refrain from telling others what I would say.

 

[Johnv]

You're welcome to disagree with my assessmant of what you've said here.

I don't believe that it's in any way a scriptural violation to study different religions and phiosophies in the educational setting. You're comments appear to disagree with me. That's fine, you're entitled to your opinion. I can respect that.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Yeah. It is wise to understand all faiths, especially if you want to bring the message of Christ to them. To relate to people, you have to understand them. I have not met one person when I went to the Middle East that just held up his Bible and said "God, convert these people oh Lord..."

Anyway, I'm just glad the universities took the money because the education in this area is badly needed in America.

 

[LadyEagle]

How many Arab universities are there with American Studies departments?

That's what I thought.

 

[Johnv]

Probably more than you think. Cairo University has Western Studies courses and programs.

 

[DavidsonBap]

How many Arab universities are there with American Studies departments?

That's what I thought.

There are many American studies in universities across the Middle East. I have attended a course myself when I was befriending a group of Muslims in Egypt. We are very fortunate to have this grant to educate people about Islam and Muslim history. Otherwise, we are left with people who just spew ignorance and make zero contributions to Muslims. The more one is grounded in Islamic Studies the better he or she is in making a bridge with Muslims.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

I disagree. We are commanded to preach the gospel. The bible nowhere tells us to assimilate, or study their habits, or learn their false religion. In fact, I believe the bible tells us to put no evil thing before our eyes. So I challenge you to back up your belief with scripture.

 

[Johnv]

Then I am right about your assessment. You believe that the study of different religions and phiosophies in the educational setting is unscriptural.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Bro. Curtis. have you ever been to other countries to bring people to Christ? I just ask because I have never in my years known a brother or sister come to a foreign country and not try to learn about the people. The very nature of making bonds is mutual respect and understanding. It is very beneficial to learn the language of the people too...one must understand a culture in order to communicate.

Anyway, I will continue to learn about all people and be successful in helping people come to Christ.
Peace Bro.Curtis. and thanks for the interesting thread.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

John, it is wrong for a church to accept money from a false religion, and then promote said false religion. Georgetown is a Catholic universtity, and if they are truly christian, then the spread of Christ's gospel should be the primary job.

And to David, nice dodge.

 

[Johnv]

Note that I haven't been arguing the money source issue. I can actually see your point there. However, the money source aside:

Okay, so you not only believe that the study of different religions and phiosophies in the educational setting is unscriptural, but that said study in a Christian educational setting is wrong. Here I disagree with you completely. I think comparative religions courses, and similar courses, are worthy of inclusion in the cirriculum of Christian colleges, if the college so desires.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Bro.Curtis, Catholics are Christian? LOL I just wanted to hear you say it.

The money may be to promote and understanding of the faith, not to promote Islam per say. I imagine the Prince has perceived many in the USA are ignorant about his people.

I don't know, how about we burn the money Bro.Curtis and just wipe out that evil Prince already.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Originally posted by DavidsonBap:
Bro.Curtis, Catholics are Christian? LOL I just wanted to hear you say it.

I never said they weren't

I don't know, how about we burn the money Bro.Curtis and just wipe out that evil Prince already.

OK, so I cannot challenge you to back your views up, without a wise-guy comment. Good for future reference.

John, study whatever you want, wherever you want. My problem, here, is that a supposed Christian entity is taking money from a false religion, to teach about it.

 

[Daisy]

Originally posted by Bro. Curtis:
Now to Daisy....

Micheal Moore, & you, in the past, have told us Saudi's should be looked at, due to Bush's relationship with them, and the trail of oil money that allegedly comes from Saudi to the white house.

You have confused me with someone else - that isn't one of my rants. I don't disagree with it, but I haven't gone on about it.

So why would you not be alarmed at this ?

Harvard is not setting up a madrassa. Learning ABOUT Islam is different than accepting Islam as your faith. One of the big problems our government had and continues to have is an abiding, profound ignorance of the region, its languages and its cultures. Even so, the current administration bargained on US citizens' even worse ignorance to conflate 9/11 with Saddam Hussein.

I know some Americans revel in ignorance of the world around them, but Harvard, as a major university, is supposed to be anti-ignorance. Ignorance is what allows people to confuse al Qaeda with the Ba'athist Party, Arabic with Farsi, Turkish and Kurdish, Beirut with Bagdad. We should know the difference between the the Chishtiyya and the Wahhābīya, and which Sufis are Sunni, Shi'ia and neither.

Would Jesus teach Quantum Physics? How about English grammar? Maybe I just don't get your question.

 

[DavidsonBap]

Bro.Curtis...I'm sorry, I was just having fun. You just seem so extreme and I was playing.

I think Daisy made some excellent points.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

If Jesus could bring the grace & mercy of his father into a physics, or math, or science lesson, he would teach it. There are plenty of science lessons in scripture. Since the koran denies his deity, I doubt he'd even touch it. You can't do God's work with a koran.

 

[Bro. Curtis]

Originally posted by DavidsonBap:
Bro.Curtis...I'm sorry, I was just having fun. You just seem so extreme and I was playing.

I think Daisy made some excellent points.

Still waiting for scritural support for the "study them before witnessing to them" approach.