The Independent Baptist:

"Plains Baptist Challenger"

November 2001

Year 2001 Bible Conference Cassette Tapes

News & Views, November 2001 - Edited By E. L. Bynum

Christians, Muslims and New Age Together - By E. L. Bynum

Billy Graham Vindicated? - By E. L. Bynum

Authentic Islam - By Bill Mosley

InterFaith Dialogue with Buddhist, Ba'hai, Taoist, Hindu, Christian, Native American and New Age faith.

Ted Dotts the former pastor of Saint John's United Methodist Church wrote a startling letter to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal which was published on 10-10-01. In that letter he advocates Christians going and worshipping with the Muslims. He is a part of an InterFaith Dialogue that meets each month with "Buddhist, Ba'hai, Taoist, Hindu, Christian, Native American and New Age faith."

Below you will find his letter written to our local newspaper.

We give thanks for the Muslim community in Lubbock. For years Muslim citizens of Lubbock have supported the InterFaith Dialogue held monthly at Saint John's United Methodist Church. The Muslim members share conversations with people of Buddhist, Ba'hai, Taoist, Hindu, Christian, Native American and New Age faith.

The Muslim Imam served on the YWCA Week Without Violence Committee. Along with Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and Native Americans, the Imam also spoke at the public gathering at the Civic Center that ended the Week Without Violence.

After Sept. 11, Muslims from the Islamic Center provided speakers for churches and civic groups who wanted to know about Islam. They are most gracious to explain, teach, and listen others. They abhor acts of violence, especially the terrorist attacks on the United States.

They provide rich hospitality to those of other religions who wish to worship with them.

TED and BETTY DOTTS, Lubbock

Apparently Mr. Dotts has been to worship with the Muslims. It is certain that he attends the InterFaith Dialogue at St. John's United Methodist Church. Can you even imagine what John and Charles Wesley would say about that? The Methodist Church that once existed is gone, and in its place has arisen an ecumenical monstrosity.

He even suggests that churches might want to have "Muslims from the Islamic Center" to come and explain about Muslim religion. We are talking about the God who said, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3). Can you imagine such a thing taking place where Christians are worshiping the Holy God of the Bible? Can you imagine Paul asking the Pharisees to come and speak for a church? He would never advocate that the Ephesian Church invite the priests of Diana of the Ephesians to come and explain their religion.

The liberals not only want to bring all Christian religions into one body, but they want to bring all non-Christian religions together as well. Ecumenicalism if fully implemented, would do away with Christian truth. When you bring Christians, Muslims, Hindus and others together, then Christianity itself is absorbed into nothing.

Ted Dotts also served as the Chaplain of Methodist Hospital, and has been prominent in ecumenical circles. I am not surprised that he is trying to synchronize pagan religions with Christianity.

The answer is, they cannot worship together. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3) Christians worship Jehovah God while Muslims worship Allah. Christians believe the Bible while Muslims believe the Koran. We believe in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God the Muslims believe he was only a prophet, but not as great as Mohammed. We could go on and on in comparing Christianity and the Muslim religion. There is no basis of unity between the two, but liberal Christians (?) are ready to dialogue with any kind of false religion.
Why would any Christian want to dialogue with those that follow any of those who are "Buddhist, Ba'hai, Taoist, Hindu, Native American and New Age faith?" The Hindu has 320-million gods, and that boggles my mind. What possible connection would any Christian have with "New Age faith?"

Lest anyone should misunderstand, we believe in freedom of religion. Baptists down through the ages have been persecuted by Catholics, Protestants, and pagan religions. We have always believed in freedom of worship. That does not mean that we will worship with any false religion. Their worship is wrong, but we will stand up and defend their right to practice it.

However, we are sick of those that would have us hide our Christianity, so that we will not offend some Muslim or Hindu. Our schools and our government have gone too far in promoting such ideas.

In recent weeks we have heard of schools, libraries, and public buildings not being allowed to fly the United States Flag. Those in charge have said that they were afraid that the flag would offend someone. Any U.S. citizen that would be offended by the our flag, does not belong in this country. They should move elsewhere. When I go to Mexico, I expect to see the Mexican flag, for it is their country, and they have a right to fly it. If I were to go to China, I would expect to see their flag being flown. Any foreigner that comes to the United States should expect to see and respect our flag while they are in this country. If they are offended by our flag, they should go back to the country they came from. They don't belong here.

Religion is experiencing a resurgence since the terrorist attack on the U.S. This is especially true in America. Arguments abound on who is responsible and who is not. Christians(?) have asked why would God let such a thing happen? Answering this is not the purpose of this article. However, how long can we expect any nation to continue the murderous path America has taken, and long be spared the judgment of God? And how long will the true God continue to be longsuffering to a nation who embraces homosexuality? America was established on Christian principles and a belief in the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Now America is urged to accept a false god and a false religion as being as legitimate as the God of Heaven.

Because of the many sources defending the Muslim religion, let us consider the history of this religion. An AP article in the Dallas Morning News, 9/25/01, reported Pope John Paul II as saying that the Catholic Church respects "authentic Islam." He attempted to make a distinction between it and the fanaticism that prompted the terrorist strike on the U.S. This prompts me to wonder what is meant by "authentic Islam." If the Pope uses the same dictionary as others, we should be able to find out what he means. Authentic: worthy of trust; genuine; real.

Then it becomes needful to find out the doctrine of genuine, trustworthy Islam. What is the Islamic religion faithful to do? Since the Pope has respect for "authentic Islam," where did he obtain the information to form this opinion? It was not from his own Catholic Encyclopedia. The online edition of this encyclopedia renders a different story of Islam's origin and nature.

"Mohammed, `the Praised One', the prophet of Islam and the founder of Mohammedanism, was born at Mecca (20 August?) A.D. 570."

"In his fortieth year (AD 612) he claimed to have received a call from the Angel Gabriel, and thus began his active career as the prophet of Allah and the apostle of Arabia. His converts were about forty in all, including his wife, his daughter, his father-in-law, an adopted son, and a slave."

"After conquering several Jewish and Christian people, Mohammed made his last pilgrimage to Mecca in 632 at the head of forty thousand followers. He died in AD 633."

Space will not permit but a small segment of its doctrine, but enough to reveal its pagan-like attributes. The following is also gleaned from the online Catholic Encyclopedia.

"The five pillars of the practical and of the ritualistic side of Islam are the recital of the Creed and prayers, fasting, almsgiving, and the pilgrimage to Mecca. The formula of the Creed has been given above, and its recital is necessary for salvation. The daily prayers are five in number: before sunrise, at midday, at four in the afternoon, at sunset, and shortly before midnight. The forms of prayer and the postures are prescribed in a very limited Koranic liturgy. All prayers must be made looking towards Mecca, and must be preceded by washing, neglect of which renders the prayers of no effect. Public prayer is made on Friday in the mosque. Only men attend the public prayers, as women seldom pray even at home."

"Pilgrimage to Mecca once in a lifetime is a duty incumbent on every free Moslem of sufficient means and bodily strength; the merit of it cannot be obtained by deputy, and the ceremonies are strictly similar to those performed by the Prophet himself."

Be reminded that Pope John Paul II has great respect for genuine "authentic Islam." In the AP article he further stated, "I wish to reaffirm the Catholic Church's respect for Islam, for authentic Islam the Islam that prays, that is concerned for those in need." Listen again to this recorded in the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"(Mohammed) was ruthless in his dealings with the Jews, when once he had ceased to hope for their submission. He approved of assassination, when it furthered his cause; however barbarous or treacherous the means, the end justified it in his eyes; and in more than one case he not only approved, but also instigated the crime."

The Protestant/Catholic feminist movement (there is no such organization as Christian Feminist) may disagree with the Pope because of the following Islamic doctrine. Notice again from the Catholic Encyclopedia:

"Religion and the State are not separated in Islam. Hence Mohammedan jurisprudence, civil and criminal, is mainly based on the Koran and on the `Traditions.' Thousands of judicial decisions are attributed to Mohammed and incorporated in the various collections of Hadith. Mohammed commanded reverence and obedience to parents, and kindness to wives and slaves. Slander and backbiting are strongly denounced, although false evidence is allowed to hide a Moslem's crime and to save his reputation or life. As regards to marriage, polygamy, and divorce, the Koran explicitly (sura iv, v. 3) allows four lawful wives at a time, whom the husband may divorce whenever he pleases. Slave-mistresses and concubines are permitted in any number. At present, however, owing to economic reasons, concubinage is not as commonly practiced as Western popular opinion seems to hold. Seclusion of wives is commanded, and in case of unfaithfulness, the wife's evidence, either in her own defense or against her husband, is not admitted, while that of the husband invariably is. In this, as in their judicial cases, the evidence of two women, if admitted, is sometimes allowed to be worth that of one man. The man is allowed to repudiate his wife on the slightest pretext, but the woman is not permitted even to separate herself from her husband unless it be for ill-usage . . . ."

This is the "authentic Islam" that Pope JP 2 and others are declaring a peaceful religion.

The Boston Globe, 10/16/01 recorded this statement by Mikhail Ardzinov, a rights activist based in Tashkent, a Muslim Central Asian country of 23 million: "Many Muslims here are on the side of Afghanistan and the Taliban. Many of them are against the bombardment of Afghanistan, even if they don't come out and say it, and against the deployment of US troops in Uzbekistan. Many believe this is an American conspiracy against Islam."

The Barnabas Fund, 10/3/01 wrote: "Muslim religious leaders in Pakistan are reported to have issued a fatwa stating that two Pakistani Christians will be killed for every Muslim who dies during American strikes on Afghanistan. Earlier, Maulana Sami ul-Haq, a former member of Pakistan's legislative assembly and a nationally recognized figure closely connected to international Islamic extremist movements, told journalists that the Qur'an clearly states that Jews and Christians are the enemies of Muslims, and by inference should be killed."

"Meanwhile the persecution of local Christians has already begun. On the very evening of September 11th a Christian restaurant owner was beaten to death by a gang of Muslim men who refused to pay for their meal saying, `Take your payment from America.' In Rawalpindi five Christian families were dragged from their homes and savagely beaten by Muslim mobs during anti-American protests. In a separate incident in Lahore a gang of Muslims set fire to a church. When the minister attempted to stop them he was viciously beaten. Another church has reportedly been stoned by Muslim rioters, and a Christian school broken into and vandalized. At least three more churches have also been attacked."

NewsMax.com readers received this message Oct. 31, 2001: "On Sunday, October 28, a congregation of believing Christians was holding church services in Behawalpur, Pakistan. As they prayed and remembered Christ, six masked gunmen - Islamic terrorists - toting automatic weapons entered their church and opened fire. As they mercilessly killed worshiping Christians, the terrorists screamed, `Blood for blood!' Press reports said the Christians were butchered because of U.S. efforts to capture Osama bin Laden."

This is the religion that the pope and others are declaring to be a "peaceful religion." Authentic Islam uses the same tactics today toward non-converts as their Allah-sent prophet, Mohammed, at the dawning of the Islam religion.

How are those who believe in freedom of religion dealing with this? Below is an article received by the editor of the Plains Baptist Challenger. It is an open letter to America by Rev. D. Curtis Martin, PhD, who sought to have it published in a news publication. I am indebted to Rev. Martin for this article and hopefully it will help awaken true believers to the truth. My guess is that it was not published in any major news publication.

"Could it be that America is Christianizing the Muslims of our country? I have read in news articles and heard comments to the affect that Muslims are a peaceful people. And those that I have met confirm this statement. Here in America we are told that Islam, as a religion does not condone violence. We are told that radicals (such as the cowards of the World Trade Center/Pentagon attack) represent only themselves an extremist and violent fringe. But were they really radicals and extremist? Were they not following the fundamental doctrines of Islam? Were they not obeying the teachings of Muhammad, a foremost prophet of the Islam faith? Were they not being obedient to Islam's holy book? Their Qur'an gives strict and clear orders to all true Muslims to fight Holy War (Jihad) against both Jews and Christians (read Surah 5:51; 9:5,29,41). Look to the history books. In the seventh century, under Muhammad's leadership, thousands of Arabs in the Arabian Peninsula were killed by Islam's fierce `holy warriors' in order to force that religion upon the Arab world. This continues today in Islam dominated countries. Islamic scholars have said that it is the religious duty of every Muslim to use violence whenever possible to spread Islam until it has taken over the world."

"We have been told that the god of Muslims and the God of Christians is the same God. How can this be? Jehovah God (the God of the Holy Bible, the God who's name is inscribed on all U.S. currency) spoke through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ saying, `Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you' (Matthew 5:44). Whereas the Qur'an says, `And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!' (Surah 9:30)."

"I applaud all Muslins that condemn acts of violence, for that reflects the teaching of true Christianity. Let me challenge all followers of the Islam faith that reside here in Rochester and throughout the United States with these questions. Are you a true follower of Muhammad's doctrine? If so, will you practice here in the U.S. what your forefathers have done in other countries through the world? If not, why don't you change to Christianity? Oh, I forgot. You can't do that because your religion says you too would be destroyed (Surah 9:30). Is this not a conundrum? Think about it." Rev. D. Curtis Martin, PhD

In freedom of religion America, the American Civil Liberties Union has free course to degrade and demean Christianity and believers in Christ. The ACLU would never admit that the first schools in America were held in church buildings. If they per chance would admit this, their cry now is that church and state are lawfully separated. Even to the extent that the mention of God and prayer in public schools is unlawful. Nor is the Bible permitted to be read in school, except on the students own time; recess, noon, or after school hours.

The ACLU would be in a heap of trouble in a Muslim dominated country if they promoted separation of church and state. Their religion is not only taught in their schools, religion and state are not separated in Islam belief. What a problem the ACLU would encounter if they tried to defend an American's right to practice the Christian religion in a Muslim country. Muslim countries want everyone to know where they stand in religion and politics. Also that they will fight to the death to defend their religion and regime. Note the ridiculous attitude in the bits of news recently sent by email.

"Broken Arrow, Oklahoma School officials remove `God Bless America' signs from schools in fear the someone might be offended."

"Channel 12 News in Long Island, New York, orders flags removed from the newsroom and red, white, and blue ribbons removed from the lapels of reporters. Why? Management did not want to appear biased and felt that our nations flag might give the appearance that `they lean one way or another.'"

"Berkeley, California bans U.S. Flags from being displayed on city fire trucks because they didn't want to offend anyone in the community."

"In an `act of tolerance' the head of the public library at Florida Gulf Coast University ordered all `Proud to be an American' signs removed so as to not offend international students."

Be sure no predominately Muslim country will give a second thought whether you are offended by their national or religious beliefs. Their Allah and his prophet, Mohammed, are in supreme rule, and state and church are inseparable.

Let me close with the statement from Elijah to Israel which is a challenge to America. "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." (1 Kings 18:21) How sad that too many are answering "not a word" on behalf of the Lord our God for fear of offending unbelievers, or false religionists. Jesus said, "He that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:9).

Since the terrorist attack on September 11, I have received several emails and letters telling me that I should withdraw all criticism of Billy Graham. This was intensified after he spoke at the prayer service in the National Cathedral. He came closer to delivering the truth than any of the other speakers. While we applaud the good things said by Graham, nevertheless his involvement once again underscores his willingness to compromise.

I do not necessarily condemn President Bush and some of the other politicians involved, for they have most likely never been taught the truth concerning compromise with false religion. The President was right in calling for a national day of prayer, but as usual it all turned out wrong in the public arena. It is entirely a different thing with Billy Graham, because he started out as a fundamentalist Christian. He was exposed to a lot of truth concerning separation. In the late 1940s and the 1950s, Billy Graham repeatedly tried to fool Bible believing Christians, by saying that he would never cooperate with modernists. In the midst of all of this he was more and more seeking the cooperation of the rank liberals. He had them on the platform during his meetings, asked them to lead in prayer, and accepted their sponsorship. (For more information, see tract # G-603, "Why We Cannot Support the Billy Graham Crusade." Also see tract # A-226, "Billy Graham and the Vegas Casino Christians." Both of these tracts are on the Web Page, and may be ordered from us.)

I watched the prayer service at the National Cathedral, and I rejoiced in the wave of patriotism. But I was saddened by professing Christians gathering to pray with Moslems and out and out liberal unbelievers. No born again Christian has any right to forsake God and join with unbelievers in a worship and prayer service.

A Moslem was allowed to read from the Koran in what is supposed to be a Christian Church. That is blasphemy, and should be condemned. One so-called Christian minister prayed in the name Allah and in the name of Christ. Such a prayer is an abomination unto God. There was Billy Graham right in the midst of all this, and he failed to condemn it when he had the opportunity to do so.

Imagine Elijah having a joint prayer and worship service with the 450 prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. Elijah did not go to Mount Carmel to make friends and influence people, but he went there to stand up for the God of the Bible. He purposed to expose the worship of Baal, and to remove the prophets of Baal from religious leadership in the nation of Israel. Read I Kings 18, for further information on this. There is never one instance in the Bible where God ever approved of his prophets and people joining in with pagan worship. Every time they did, God rebuked and judged them for it. Aaron's golden calf is one example of this, but there are many other examples of this. Read Exodus 32 to see this sin and the resulting judgment. The reason Israel went into captivity was the sin of mixing the worship of Jehovah with false Gods.

The ministry of Jesus Christ clearly shows what our attitude should be toward approving false religion. Listen to what he says about false religionists: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness" (Matt. 23:27).

Many such examples can also be given from the ministry of the apostle Paul. When he stood on Mars hill (Acts 17), he plainly told the idolaters of their ignorant worship. He declared the one true God, and declared the resurrection of the Son of God. Of course they did not give him the key to the city, but they ridiculed the truth. Paul was not out to be popular, but he was there to declare the truth.

Billy Graham knows what the Bible teaches, but he chooses to ignore the truth. Many have tried to inform him of his compromise. People think that I have never tried to communicate with Mr. Graham, and I have been told repeatedly that I should first do this. The truth is that before I ever published my first tract exposing Billy Graham, I sent the manuscript to him by registered mail with a return receipt requested. He never tried to communicate with me, but he had one of his hirelings write a short sweet letter to me. He did not attempt to answer even one charge that I made. I know why, and it is because there is no answer to the truth.

As unbelievable as it sounds, Billy Graham believes that people can go to heaven without ever knowing Jesus Christ as Saviour. Robert Schuller interviewed Billy Graham, and it was aired on television on Saturday May 31, 1997. The following is an exact transcript of an excerpt close to the end of this broadcast.

Schuller: Tell me, what do you think is the future of Christianity?
Graham: Well, Christianity and being a true believer you know, I think there's the Body of Christ. This comes from all the Christian groups around the world, outside the Christian groups. I think everybody that loves Christ, or knows Christ, whether they're conscious of it or not, they're members of the Body of Christ. And I don't think that we're going to see a great sweeping revival, that will turn the whole world to Christ at any time. I think James answered that, the Apostle James in the first council in Jerusalem, when he said that God's purpose for this age is to call out a people for His name. And that's what God is doing today, He's calling people out of the world for His name, whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think that they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven. (Emphasis ours).
Schuller: What, what I hear you saying that it's possible for Jesus Christ to come into human hearts and soul and life, even if they've been born in darkness and have never had exposure to the Bible. Is that a correct interpretation of what you're saying?
Graham: Yes, it is, because I believe that. I've met people in various parts of the world in tribal situations, that they have never seen a Bible or heard about a Bible, and never heard of Jesus, but they've believed in their hearts that there was a God, and they've tried to live a life that was quite apart from the surrounding community in which they lived."

The above quotation has never been refuted by Billy Graham or any of his spokesman. It cannot be refuted, because it was recorded and a certified transcript was made.

This kind of false doctrine has been promoted by Mr. Graham. Not only does it help unbelievers to feel comfortable in their sins, it robs Christians of any zeal that they might have for missions. If people are going to be saved anyway, why bother with all the sacrifice and expense of carrying the gospel to them.

Billy Graham wrote the following statement.
"The existence of hell indicates that man has freedom of choice. You have a choice-the broad road or the narrow road. Jesus used three words to describe the place or condition that lies at the end of the broad road. One is `fire.' Jesus told the story about the rich man who went to hell and asked that Lazarus might dip the tip of his finger in the water and cool the rich man's tongue. Could it be that the fire Jesus talked about is an eternal search for God that is never quenched. That indeed, would be hell; to be away from God forever, separate from his presence.

"Jesus use another word, `darkness.' The Bible says `God is light.' The Apostle Peter wrote that `God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of nether gloom.' What does that mean? There again, God is light. Darkness is separation from God.

"The third word Jesus used is `death.' God is life. Hell is death to the spirit, death to the soul, separation from God. The Scripture speaks this as the second death." (DECISION, April 1972, page 4)

For years he has more and more leaned toward singers who perform in nightclubs, casinos, and bars. While he once leaned upon the music of George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows, they are not the main draw anymore.

The week of 10-12-01, Billy Graham held a Crusade in California. One of the musical entertainers was Charlie Daniels, a popular performer in clubs and casinos all over the nation. I downloaded Charlie Daniels' schedule from October 5-10 from the Charlie Daniels' Web Page, which was available to anyone with a computer connection to the web. You can see that out eight out of nine of his engagements were at casinos and clubs. They are listed below so that you can see them for yourself. We have listed his engagement with Mr. Graham in bold face type for emphasis.

10-5-01 Mesquite, NV-The Casablanca Resort Casino

10-6-01 San Jacinto, CA-The Soboba Casino-Outdoors

10-7-01 Jackson, CA-Jackson Rancheria Casino

10-9-01 Bend, OR Club 97-

10-10-01 Worley, ID-Coeur D'Alene Tribal Casino

10-12-01 Fresno, CA-Billy Graham

10-13-01 Reno, NV-Peppermill Hotel & Casino

10-19 & 20-01 Rising Sun, IN-Grand Theatre-Hyatt Grand Victoria Casino

According to Daniels' web page, he is very patriotic and does mention his religion in a prominent way. This does not offset his constant appearance at clubs and casinos. At least he is not like Jane Fonda and a lot of other left wing entertainers.

Can you imagine Billy Sunday, D. L. Moody, Mordecai Ham, Sam Jones, or any of the other famous evangelists using nightclub and casino entertainers in their meetings? Of course not, because they were preaching against the very things that Billy Graham promotes.

Of course we expect to receive negative comments from this article. Many blindly follow religious leaders like Mr. Graham, and no amount of irrefutable facts can ever convince them. They do not know what the Bible teaches, and frankly they do not care. The many Scriptures that teach separation from apostasy and worldliness are ignored.