Anglican bishop Michael Nazir-Ali (who’s family immigrated to Britain, who’s father converted from Islam to Catholicism and who is a convert from Catholicism to Anglicanism) warns that certain parts of Britain are being taken over by extremist elements of the predominantly Muslim population, making these parts of Britain dangerous for Christians.
When will liberal Christians realize that while there are many peaceful and tolerant Muslims, Islam is not essentially a religion of tolerance and peace? Those who blame the Catholic Church for the crusades should realize that Islamic armies were invading Europe, and something had to be done. i predict that it will happen again one day, but I doubt whether the present generation of Europeans will have the guts or the faith to stand up and fight for anything at all–even in self defense. If things continue they way they are going Europe will fall like Rome fell–through decadence, laziness and corruption from within as much as through invasion from without.
I think you need to be careful about your history, Father. While Bishop Nazir-Ali may be right on this issue – I’d take issue with him on a number of other things he’s said – citing Islamic incursions into Europe in the 11th century as a reason for the crusades doesn’t bear close scrutiny. (I presume you’re referring to what was going on in the Iberian penninsular.) The reasons for the crusades are many and various – few of them religious – but the Moorish occupation of Spain was not prominent among them.
However, both Belloc in 1919, and Fulton Sheen in the 1950’s warned about the rise of Islam – Sheen’s warning is particularly apposite:”Although the statesmen have not yet taken it into account, there is still a grave danger that the temporal power of Islam may return and, with it, the menace that it may shake off a West that has ceased to be Christian.” A “West that has ceased to be Christian” is a chilling prophecy!p.s. – How depressing that ‘Bishop’ Ali converted from Catholicism to Anglicanism!
In light of this, if you have the chance and the time, I highly recommend you read George Weigel’s latest, Faith, Reason, and the War against Jihadism. It is not what many anti-war folks might suspect. It is more rational and balanced than many others have written, and at the same time it is comprehensive and forward-minded: what do we do now, even with all the lapses (of judgments and actions) and mistakes that have happened? Part of his book discusses what is going on in Europe (and elsewhere), which is along the lines of your post.
Sorry, but Moslems constitute 3% of the British population, according to the CIA World Fact Book, the World Almanac, and State Department sources. Not quite enough to warrant the sort of scare tactics this gentleman is using. I’ll follow the lead of the Pope, not of some Anglican bishop I’ve never even heard of.
If only 3%, then they are a mighty intimidating 3% as can be glimpsed from reading Islam-related news in the UK, let alone Europe. George Weigel highlights these:The London Underground and bus bombings of July 7, 2005 were by British Muslims. No British Muslim cleric condemned the fatwa issued against Rushdie. The BBC taped a sermon by Dr. Ijaz Mian (in Derby) where he said, “King, Queen, House of Commons: … So you being a Muslim, you have to fix a target. There will be no House of Commons. … Muslims must grow in strength, then take over. … You are in a situation in which you have to live like a state-within-a-state-until you take over.” There are many, many more of these types of stories, though I will say it is not as bad as things are on the Continent, especially in Denmark, the Netherlands, and France. Some of this is because of European “tolerance” and attempts at pluralism. See “An Upside-Down World: The British far left makes common cause with Muslim reactionaries” and also “Islamosocialism: The European left makes common cause with the Muslim right.”
To Stephen: You are right that the Moorish occupation of Spain had little to do with the Crusades (although the Reconquista turned out to be the longest war in History). However, there were other incursions into Europe that were more directly related to the Crusades–including attacks in Italy and other major European countries. The Crusades were called because of the ongoing attack on the Eastern Empire (Constantinople). The Orthodox asked for assistance, and the pope answered by beginning the Crusades.
Rather off-topic to the Muslim issue, but I had no idea Nazir-Ali was a former Catholic. His was the other name on the shortlist for Archbishop of Canterbury when Rowan Williams took the post. It would have been quite an interesting turn had an ex-Catholic been in that spot.OTOH, if Nazir-Ali had become ABC, I might have been more inclined to remain Anglican, and personally I’m glad that is not the case for me now.
i notice more & more young white English presumably Christian wearing muslim garb…& there are more & more getting into Catholic schools..& sitting out during Mass..
I feel like I am watching the storm clouds gather over Britain as they make their way over to the United States. The gravity I experience in American culture falls in onto itself as it abandons Christianity for personal automony, as for what I read, British culture does too–perhaps even to a greater degree.”Thy will be done.” When I hear these words, I know despite these events the world moves toward a perfection only God knows. At least, that was what Frank Sheed taught, Bertrand Russell thought differently, but then, Bertrand Russell is part of the problem. I just wonder if Christ’s second coming will be like C.S. Lewis’s “The Last Battle” where the Muslims take over the world like it were the Planet of the Apes.
Dear Dwight & Co,Muslims are only a threat if Christians are asleep in their own faith. See the link below to a solid, Magisterium following, Eucharistic based, loyal, bishop approved CATHOLIC Charismatic group that you, Dwight, will be familiar with from your time in Blighty.Their leader, Damian Stayne, sent me the following letter. I, a good Evangelical (no jokes or slander, please) am on their mailing list.Now, if more Catholics were doing what Cor et Lumen are doing, the Brits and you Yanks, would not be fearfully asking: ‘what will we do about the Muslim threat?’No, you would be asking: ‘Muslims? What Muslims?’ BlessingsJamesDear Friends Many of you may know that we have been producing short films of our Healing/Miracle Services for our our website for some time. Now we are putting some of these onto You Tube.The first of these is our Healing Outreach in Glasgow Scotland. It is in 3 sections of about 8 minutes each and includes a variety of healings, in particular several deaf people who were healed. We are aiming first and foremost at people interested in healing as a way of letting them know that this kind of thing is happening in the Catholic Church today. Why not have a look and see what you think. There will be new films up on the 1st of each month from now on. The films are listed under the general heading of ‘Christian Healing’ then scroll down. In the mean time other films can be viewed on our website http://www.coretlumenchristi.org Go to ‘Videos’ on the menu bar and click the drop down box ‘Healings’. If any of you have websites perhaps you could consider making a link.Any comments would be helpful.God bless you all In the love of ChristDamian
I can’t help but think about the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe who is shown standing on the crescent moon. And Rv 12:1…hmm makes me wonder if this isn’t some kind of prophecy unfolding before us. If that’s the case, what can we do but watch and wait? We can stand up for our faith, but ultimately God is in control!
What you say James is true. If more Christians practiced their faith, we would say what Muslims. By the way, I need two knee replacements, what you got for me James?
Dear Blarg,If you had been alive in Jesus’ time, I suspect you’d have been one of those people inMark 5:24-34, who pressed around Jesus, moaning that the woman with the issue of blood was healed and they weren’t. BlessingsJames
One need only read Al Qaeda’s writings to understand that they consider themselves to be the “true believers” and that high on their list of enemies are so called moderate Muslims. I wonder: Does Christiantiy have the vitality and conviction to not only defend itself but to evangelize in the Moslem neighborhoods of our own cities? Is such a thing even possible?
James, it is a fair question to ask isn’t it? We may well rejoice that someone is healed, but we must also ask the tough questions–why are not more people healed and raised from the dead? If charismatics have such power from God why don’t they heal everyone?I think there are some good answers to these questions, but deferring the questioner (even if he questioned with sarcasm) with self righteous scorn will surely not win him over will it?
Dwight,Interesting comment but it betrays a deep seated Catholic negativity. I have never ever ducked the question, why isn’t everyone healed, but neither do I let it prevent me from praying for and expecting healing, as so many Catholics do.I actually interviewed Damian today and asked him just that question: why isn’t everyone at a Cor et Lumen meeting healed? His response?Firstly, just because everyone isn’t healed, shouldn’t stop healing being prayed for itself.Secondly, there are many barriers to healing as you know – unforgiven sin, lack of faith and so on. Thirdly, Damian explained all he can do is engage people in faith and leave healing to God.Fourthly, spiritual healing or physical healing? Well, he explained our ressurected body is a central Christian belief. Jesus was body, not just spirit so what happens to our bodies is impotant to God.Fifthly, if healing is not taught or preached, it won’t happen.Sixthly, Damian has a nut allergy, yet he sees people healed of cancer right before his eyes.Seventhly, ultimately it si a mystery why some are healed and some are not, but sadly too much of the Catholic church does not expect or engage in healing. If more Catholics actually believed in healing in the first place, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.Dwight, I pray you are healed of your lack of faith in healing. Forget the bleeding, moving statues, place your hands on the depressed, those in lack, those distant from Jesus and those with cancer.Enough talk. Just watch the Cor et Lumen videos. They are a Catholic group, after all. Sarcasim on my part? No, just anger, as Jesus got angry, with those with little faith.BlessingsJames
Dwight/James,I was earnest. I am open to the possibility of healing, through faith, but I do not expect it. The opportunity to work out my salvation with fear and trembling is enough for me. If the Lord sees fit I suffer, so be it, pain is a good teacher. But if these graces are available for the asking, then I at least asked. I was ready to respond to you yesterday James, but when you responded the way you did, it told me you were not the one to answer my inquiries.As I have done for awhile, you and those you love I pray for James.
Blarg,How can you say “I am open to the possibility of healing” then immediately add “but I do not expect it.” My reference to Mark 5: 24 was not to insult you, but to remind you of a very clear Biblical reality, from Jesus himself. The people crowding round Jesus had the same attitude as you – open to healing but not really expecting it. The woman however, was open and expectant. That is why Jesus said: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (verse 34)To also state: ‘pain is a good healer,’ shows how much you have been infected by bad teaching. Blarg, you don’t need to listen to me. Go to good Catholic healers like Fr Bob deGrandis and check out the Cor et Lumen Christi site. I appreciate you praying for me, but spend more time in prayer for healing. Do not pray that you MIGHT be healed, take command of the pain in Jesus name and command it to leave. If Jesus can feed thousands from a couple of loaves and fish, don’t you think your knees are fairly small in comparison?I cannot argue you in to belief in healing. That is impossible. I used to think like you for many years, then I saw someone healed in front of my eyes at a Flame Ministries meeting. No amount of argument or debate could shift me when I was like you. I had to see it, believe it, expect it. Then I saw it.BlessingsJamesBlessingsJames
James,I can be open to the possibility of healing means I believe God can cure my ailments, but I do not expect Him to do it. It is not something I am owed because I am a disciple of Christ. Rather I am an unprofitable servant I only do what I am asked. I trust God to know what is best for me since I do not know what is always best for me, but I am here Lord asking.James you hear only what you want to hear. I said pain is a good teacher not a good healer. When my knees crack or I hear the juices in my shoulder sizzle like bacon on the stove my body is telling me I shouldn’t move my leg or shoulder like that again. Pain is a poverty, and thus a tool for me to rely on God.
Blarg,Your theology is accurate if…..others in your parish are being healed. If not, then you are all equally miserable and misery comes from Satan not God. Fr Bob once talked about the blind man who went to Jesus and Jesus asked: ‘What do you want me to do?’Well, it was obvious, the blind man wanted to see. But Jesus wanted him to say that. The blind man needed to step forward in expectant faith so Jesus knew he wasn’t stuck in a religious attitude.Pope John Paul’s suffering in his last years was a very public and holy witness to a secular world hell bent, and I mean hell bent, on abortion and euthanasia and a general anti-life philosophy. But JP’s kind of suffering is the exception, not the rule. You need to be very certain that God is allowing you to suffer so.God wants us to knock and the door will be opened. But if you don’t think anyone is at home or that they can’t be bothered to come out to you, then can knock all day long and the door will remain shut.BlessingsJames
blarg,I pray that I should accept life’s ailments with your faith and trust, the next time I complain because of some sneeze or other I’ll remember your council, so help me God.MarkPS Where has Fr Dwight gone.. Anyone?
Stephen, please don’t forget that Islam less than 100 years after its creation had gobbled up 1/3 of Christendom. Remember that all the land from Palestine to Western Northern Africa were christian territory for 500 years before they were converted to Islam by the sword.As to the invasion of Spain,well get yourself a map of Europe and look for Poitiers. You will find it is 500 miles North of the franco-spanish border, barely 200 miles of Paris. This is where Charles Martel stopped the moslems in 732 after they ransacked a good bit of France.Even Rome came close to being invaded by the Moslems aggression well before the first crusade was launched. In the 9th century, an Arab fleet sacked Rome and the Vatican.Your attitude is so typical of the complacent silly attitude of my fellow european compatriotes which is one of the major reasons I left Europe.
Thank you James
Hello James, Just for the record, I am not anti healing nor doubtful of the ministry of Christian healing. I have been involved and very blessed by the Charismatic movement myself, and through God’s grace have seen numerous healings (physical and spiritual) through my own ministry both as an Anglican and a Catholic priest.My only point is that if we are involved in the healing ministry we have to take the questions that people have seriously and not dismiss them. Damian attempted to do just that, and I applaud him for doing so.I’m sorry you continue to relegate my long list of Catholic miracles that I have enumerated in other posts to just ‘bleeding statues’. You need to be more fair in your comments, and if you expect us to take you seriously, you must listen to our point and try to take us seriously too.
Dear Friends, I stumbled accross your discussion and would like to offer something which I have found helpful. The Vatican has issued a document ‘Instructions on Prayers for Healing’ which deals with some of these issues. It exhorts us to have faith for healing and faith in suffering. It can be found on the Vatican website (just type the title into the search box). The theological part is in my view absolutely excellent although of course not totally comprehensive. God bless you.
Stephen said… I think you need to be careful about your history, Father. While Bishop Nazir-Ali may be right on this issue – I’d take issue with him on a number of other things he’s said – citing Islamic incursions into Europe in the 11th century as a reason for the crusades doesn’t bear close scrutiny. (I presume you’re referring to what was going on in the Iberian penninsular.) The reasons for the crusades are many and various – few of them religious – but the Moorish occupation of Spain was not prominent among them. thats bull….when did islam sack rome,naples,sicily? and more importantly WHY? Stephen,you missed the iberian peninsla by a few hundred miles and also by a few years……..Get your taqqiya act together.