The Christian Jihad

and yes -- I'm trying to be shocking -- bear with me.

This is from Wikipedia (for what it's worth):

Contemporary Islamism holds that Islam is now under attack, and therefore -experts explain-

Jihad is now a war of defense, and as such has become not only a collective duty but an individual duty without restrictions or limitations. That is, to the Islamists, Jihad is a total, all-encompassing duty to be carried out by all Muslims – men and women, young and old.

so -- let's consider that for Christianity

 Contemporary EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANITY holds that CHRISTIANITY is now under attack, and therefore -experts explain-

Jihad is now a war of defense, and as such has become not only a collective duty but an individual duty without restrictions or limitations. That is, to the EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS, Jihad is a total, all-encompassing duty to be carried out by all CHRISTIANS – men and women, young and old

Isn't that what we're hearing all the time now?  How Christianity is being attacked?  That it must be defended at all costs?  Is this not how we end up with Abortion doctors being murdered?  Women being harassed outside of Abortion clinics?

Is this not how we end up with homosexual teens being bullied -- literally to death in some cases?

all in the name of God?

Let's explore this fuller -- back to Wikipedia

The Sufic view of Islam classifies "Jihad" into two; the "Greater Jihad" and the "Lesser Jihad". Muhammad put the emphasis on the "greater Jihad" by saying that "Holy is the warrior who is at war with himself". In this sense external wars and strife are seen but a satanic counterfeit of the true "jihad" which can only be fought and won within; no other Salvation existing can save man without the efforts of the man himself being added to the work involved of self-refinement. ..... Some contemporary Islamists have succeeded in replacing the greater jihad, the fight against desires, with the lesser jihad, the holy war to establish, defend and extend the Islamic state.

This is the mistake many people make about Islam -- they confuse the extremist with the norm of the religion (and -- no -- I'm not a Muslim -- stay with me on this one a bit)

Those who choose the "lesser jihad" -- get all the press -- they're blowing up buildings so they can get their 72 virgins

they're killing their daughters because they think they're too western

they're trying to pass laws that enforce religious views -- In what way is this different from what the Taliban did?

ouch - -right?  Do we want to be like the Taliban?

But those who fight the greater jihad -- the jihad of the soul -- perfecting themselves -- get no press at all.

which is the vast majority of Muslims by the way.

This is the problem with the Christian extremist -- they are so focused on the lesser jihad of making sure that everyone else follows their rules -- that everyone else is forced into their view of christian morality

that they are hurting the church

they are the reason that I am an isolated Christian

that I have stopped going to church

that I read and practice alone in my home

they are the reason that people leave the church.

leave Christianity

Leave Jesus

be because they make such a big splash with their lesser jihad

no one can see the millions of Christians who are just working on their souls

trying to be worthy of all the blessings they've been given