Script for Islam Presentation (Intro music and Slide) Shannon: Hi and Welcome to Evangelism Today. I m your host Grace Freeall And today we ll be talking about Islam. We have some scholars with us today to help discuss this topic. Shannon: Today s show will discuss matters of similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam, common myths, background of Islam, and an excerpt from an interview with a Muslim raised Christian. Stay tuned to find out what you need to know about this major world religion. Shannon: I have here today Dr. Monique, Mo, Hammad who has studied the history and background of Islam extensively. Can you tell us a little something about how the religion of Islam came to be? Jordan: I d be delighted. Muhammad, the founder of Islam was born in Mecca (in modern day Saudi Arabia) in A.D. 570. At that time, the religious setting of the Arabian Peninsula was "a rather primitive polydemonism and worship of stones, stars, caves and trees. Around A.D. 610 he came to believe he was receiving visions, which he claimed were from the angel Gabriel. Shannon: Just so our audience knows for sure, this Muhammad wasn t the boxer right? Jordan: Right. The Islamic scriptures, known as the "Koran," are the "reciting" of the revelations he claimed to have received for the next 22 years. Muhammad's preaching of these visions in Mecca met with considerable resistance. The reason for this was because Muhammad's message threatened not only popular polytheism, but the political and economic powers. As a result, Muhammad found his first followers among the lower class and those who were ripe for a new social order. In 622 he traveled to Yathrib, which is now called Medina.
Shannon: Funky cold. Jordan: This event, called the "Hejira," is viewed as the turning point of Islam. From then on, Islam was no longer just a religion but a distinct political power. In Medina, the community of believers became a state with Muhammad as its religious and political leader. In 630, Muhammad and his followers took over Mecca without resistance. Muhammad declared the Kaaba (the temple in Mecca) was the holiest shrine in Islam. To this day, Muslims direct their prayers facing the city of Mecca and the shrine of Kaaba. Shannon: I love a good shrimp and mushroom Kaaba Now tell me, there are different groups with the Islamic faith, right? Jordan: That is correct. Sunni Muslims are the largest group in Islam, comprising the vast bulk (80-90%) of the world's 1.5 billion Muslims, In Arabic language, as- Sunnah literally means "tradition" or "path". The Qur'an and the Sunnah (the example of Muhammad's life) as recorded in hadith are the primary foundations of Sunni doctrine. According to Sunni Islam, the "normative" example of Muhammad's life is called the Sunnah (literally "trodden path"). This example is preserved in traditions known as hadith ("reports"), which recount his words, his actions, and his personal characteristics. Shi a Muslims: The Shi'a constitute 10 20% of Islam and are its second-largest branch. They believe in the political and religious leadership of Imams. Although the Shi'as share many core practices with the Sunni, the two branches disagree over validity of specific collections of hadith. Sufism is a mystical-ascetic approach to Islam that seeks to find divine love and knowledge through direct personal experience of God. By focusing on the more spiritual aspects of religion, Sufis strive to obtain direct experience of God by making use of intuitive and emotional faculties" that one must be trained to use. However, Sufism has been criticized by the Salafi sect for what they see as an unjustified religious innovation. Shannon: Thank you for that wonderful insight. Now let s bring in Ms. Nottalotta Same to discuss the differences between Christianity and Islam.
Michelle: Hi, it s good to be here today to discuss how we are different from the Muslim people. The God, called Allah, in Islam is so far above us that he is unknowable, he is sovereign, and he runs the universe as he pleases. They believe that Jesus was spirited away before His death so He did not die on the cross and, therefore, was not resurrected. Shannon: And, therefore, not the savior for sin? Michelle: Right. Muslims also believe that angels were created from light and two angels are assigned to each person. One writes down the good deeds done and one writes down the bad deeds done. Shannon: So this is where we get the picture of the devil and angel on the shoulders? If this is true, one of mine is going to have a HUGE list. Michelle: Yes. Although the religion of Islam accepts the Torah, the psalms of David, and the Gospel of Christ, they believe that those have been corrupted and follow the Koran as the one last holy revelation of Allah. They also believe that Muhammad was the greatest of all the prophets. Shannon: What does Islam teach about life after death? Michelle: That s a good question. Those who have obeyed Allah will be sent to paradise, those condemned go to the torments of hell, although no true Muslim will stay there forever. Muslims believe that they earn their salvation by building up good deeds. In the end, fate determines everything through predestination. Shannon: Thank you. Let s bring in Ms. Teresa Commonground who will show us how these two major world religions are similar. Claudia: Islam and Christianity share a common thread of history back to Abraham. Islam traces its heritage from the line of Hagar and Ishmael. Shannon: And Christians from Sarah and Issac?
Claudia: Correct. Most Christians and Muslims wish to be at peace with each other. They can respect each other but must stop short of embracing the other s core beliefs and must not act as if the differences are trivial. Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet but don t accept Him as Savior. The pillar of the creed follows along with the Christian view of baptism, dedication, or becoming a soldier in The Salvation Army. The pillar of prayer encourages specific prayer times throughout the day, which Christians today could take a lesson from. Shannon: How many Christians do we know that pray 5 times a day? Claudia: Exactly. The pillar of Alms for the Poor is similar, although smaller in percentage, to Christian tithing. The similarities between Christianity and Islam are mainly a result of how one should live while following the god of the religion. Shannon: Thank you for that, ladies. Stay tuned for Muslim Myths Busted and Evangelizing Techniques for Christians today. COMMERCIAL BREAK Shannon: Welcome back. I have the Mohammed Mentioning Muslim Myth Buster herself, Ms. Norma Lise. Thank you for joining us today. Jessica: It s good to be here. I d like to take some suggestions from the audience of how Muslims are viewed today. Ok, you, there in the back. Audience Member (Jeremy): I heard that Muslims are savage and barbaric in war! Jessica: Not true! Muslims follow 10 rules which include not killing women, children, old men, trees, or monks. Who s next? Audience Member (Adieny): Muslims don t believe in Jesus!
Jessica: Also, untrue. As we learned earlier, and you must not have been listening, but Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, but they do not accept him as Savior as Christians do. They read the life and teachings of Jesus in the gospels but do not believe that He is the only way to God the Father. Now for someone who hopefully has been paying attention. Audience Member (Nick): All Muslims are Arabs! Jessica: This is a common assumption due to our culture and portrayal of Muslims. In reality, only 15% of the Muslim population is Arab. The most populated area devoted to Islam is actually Indonesia, followed by Asia, Africa, and Europe. Another myth is that all Arabs are Muslims, which isn t true as some of the population follows Christianity or Judaism. Audience Member (Ashley): I heard that Islam oppresses women! Jessica: Most of the ill treatment of women in the Muslim world is based on local culture and traditions, without any basis in the faith of Islam. Practices such as forced marriage, spousal abuse, and restricted movement directly contradict Islamic law governing family behavior and personal freedom. And while there are Muslim countries in the world that do implement many harsh rulings against women, this should not be portrayed as Islamic law. Many of these countries have cultural differences that go against the teachings of Islam. A Muslim woman is allowed to reject and accept any suitor for marriage and has the right to seek divorce. There is nothing in Islam that forbids a Muslim woman from exiting her house and is allowed to drive. Also in regards to education, a woman is obligated to seek knowledge and it is considered a sin if she refuses. Audience Member (Sara): What about them being terrorists? Jessica: Terrorism cannot be justified under any valid interpretation of the Islamic faith. The entire Qur'an, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human
beings. Muslim leaders and scholars do speak out against terrorism in all its forms, and offer explanations of misinterpreted or twisted teachings. Shannon: Thank you for clearing those things up for us. I had time this week to interview a young lady who is studying to be a pastor in the church who was raised in an Islamic family. I asked her about her conversion and how she got involved with The Salvation Army. She revealed that her father was Islamic only by practice, not in depth. At the age of 8 she was invited by a cousin on her mom s side to a skating party hosted by The Salvation Army. She struggled going to two churches and learning two different religions, but the Islamic faith faded out of her life as her father was in and out. As this happened, she grew closer to The Salvation Army and the Christian faith. When asked what originally drew her to Christianity she responded, Well, the Army always welcomed me with open arms and loved me for who I am. So, since the age of 8 until now I have been faithful to the Army. Today, my father supports everything I do, including me becoming a Salvation Army officer, he appreciates me becoming a pastor because his dad was a pastor and my father thinks I am old enough to make my own decisions. Evangelism works, folks! After the break we will see the do s and don ts of evangelizing to Muslims. COMMERCIAL BREAK Shannon: Welcome back for our final segment, Christian Evangelizing Techniques for Muslims. Welcome to Ms. Sharon Faith. How do Muslims view Christianity? Chansey: The average Muslim around the world has a tremendous misunderstanding of Christianity. Their only understanding of Christianity comes from movies, music, and television shows. Because they believe America is a Christian nation, they assume everything that comes out of America is Christian. Shannon: So you re saying that everything from America Isn t Christian? Chansey: Muslims think Christians believe in three gods: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Mother (Mary). The copies of the gospels, psalms, and Torah
can t be trusted and are all superseded by the Quran. Because of Western media, they equate Christianity with free sex, drugs, alcohol, rape, and divorce, the evils of the West. This misconception confirms their belief that Islam is the true and final religion for all mankind. Shannon: Important information! I have asked our other guests to come back and illustrate the do s and don ts scenarios of evangelism in the world today. I encourage you after each scenario to voice your opinion as a do or a don t! Michelle: Dear Lord, please help my evangelizing today. Help me to be effective and win souls for you. Give me the right words to say to make a difference. Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) Do! Pray before going out for God to give you the words to say. Jordan: The Koran says this about my life. Why should I believe anything different? Claudia: Well the Bible says ummmm let me just find it here. I think it s in Mark, no wait, maybe Romans. Hold on, let me google it and I ll get back to you. Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) That was a don t! Know your bible and be ready to give an answer. It also helps to read books written by other Christians who have worked with Muslims. It also helps to read the Koran and know what it says. Jessica: Tell me about your beliefs. Let s compare and contrast the similarities and differences to find common ground. Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) Do! Talk to the person about their beliefs. They may or may not accept all aspects of the Islamic belief or may have a blended belief system that is easier to work with. NEVER attack their beliefs!
Michelle: Let me share with you my journey to where I am now. I want to tell you how Jesus changed my life and brought me out of a bad situation. Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) Do! Share your testimony. Jordan: Would you like to study the Bible with me? I know you have read the gospels but there is a lot after that which is a good read on how to live life. Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) Do! ASK them if they would like to study the Bible with you. Claudia: Ok, now that we have talked about this I m going to need you to make a decision for Christ tonight. I ve got a few other houses on my list and people that need to be prayed for so I need to get going. Shall we pray? Chansey: Do or Don t? (leave time for audience to respond) Don t! You must be patient. Do not pressure them for a decision before they are ready. Shannon: Thank you for being on the show today, ladies. Now everyone gets something better than A NEW CAR..knowledge!