Today was one of those 'days_to_remember'.

I volunteered to assist manning a small Christian booth at the MBS event in the Exhibition/Jeff's_shed buildings.

While there, I noticed some olive skinned blokes in white robes, long black beards and white hats. Turned out that they were with a "Discovering Islam" stand.

Thinking this is a great opportunity to clarify some issues about which we here have been debating, I wandered down and introduced myself to 'Sammy', from Afganistan.

The line of questioning was as follows:

-Is the Quran 'the' Word of Allah, rather than simply 'containing' it? "Yes". (emphatically)
-Do those words of Allah in the Quran apply to today also, in their entirity? ("Absolutely" ..again_emphatically)

After a few minutes, he referred me to another more knowledgable brother, who happened to be from Saudi Arabia.

To that chap, I said.. "if I find a verse, can you read this and tell me what it means?" And using the Quran they had given me, turned to Surah 9:30 and handed it to him. He read it out loud, and of course, this is the verse which curses Christians and Jews.

I explained that I am a Christian and a former/current part time missionary, and asked how he thought we might feel about such verses.

His response was "These are not our words, but the words of Allah"

He also emphasized (to my surprise) that he had no desire to misrepresent Islam as 'A religion of peace', but said It is what it is..and that includes the verse we read, which is 100% applicable to today.

Interestingly, he turned to another surah and verse, which is MORE sternly worded and read it for me. It was like Croc Dundee's "you call 'that' a knife? THIS is a knife"

Our contact was warm and cordial in spite of the subject matter, and we shook hands many times.
My comment was that in spite of the verse just read, I offer my hand in friendship and Christs love, which was happily accepted.

Whew Boazy, it must've been a close call. Clearly, they didn't kill you.

I guess they must've cursed you after your encounter. Does it hurt yet?

"Our contact was warm and cordial in spite of the subject matter, and we shook hands many times.
My comment was that in spite of the verse just read, I offer my hand in friendship and Christs love, which was happily accepted."

You are such a hypocrite BD. You boast here of how friendly you were, shaking hands and all. And yet we all know you will use this encounter to create further division. You'll rehash this story ad nauseam and give the knife another twist every time.

Yes BOAZ DAVID I too think you used it to highlight your fears about Islamist.
Yes you are not alone many agree with some of your fears but threads like this only promote trouble.
I still grin at your surprise I would highlight the lies used habitually by some, far too many.
But just for a second can you not see how much better the world might be if no religion existed?
I would have ducked and dived to avoid both sides of your meeting buying the first thing on a stall far away to do so.

Points all taken.. but I sure hope it is not lost on readers that the issues previously highlighted are well and truly confirmed, and to simply mock this in the name of tolerance is warped to say the least.

FOLLOW UP.. the other side of this, which I couln't fit into the first post, was what happened after the initial visit.

One of the blokes from their stall came to ours, he was from Oman.
He showed interest in what we were on about, and asked me to explain what it mean't to be Christian. He wanted to vid the experience, but I preferred to just do it by audio.

He was curious also about "what issues we have with Islam" and he asked me to be very frank- so I briefly touched on one, and we discussed it.

While it might be difficult for some of my 'usual critics' to appreciate or relate to this, the dominant emotion I feel in such encounters is the love of Christ. After explaining that the primary reason we don't accept Islam is the finality of Christ, rather than specific things we don't like about Islam, (which he understood)
he asked for some final words. I gave him a blessing along the lines of "May the love of God shine upon you and guide you".

In some ways, this could only be appreciated by those who know that same love, and I don't expect the 'gang' to relate to it.

There are 2 levels on which the Christian who is a citizen in a democracy should act.

1/ The interpersonal relationships level, which should be characterized by Christs love. and

2/ The democratic/policy level, which must take responsibility for the future of a country.

Loving your enemies in personal encounters, who curse you (in Allah's name, to your face) for what you believe, is not incompatible with seeking public policy adjustments which may limit the numbers of them migrating to your country or limit certain practices for those in the country. (preaching of certain anti Christian Anti Jew sentiments is an example)

NEW AGEism.....and those capitalizing from it.

Opposite our stall was some mob called

"Supreme Master Television"

http://www.suprememastertv.com/bbs/board.php?bo_table=about_us

It took quite a while to discover who this 'supreme master' is, but tucked down in the middle of a number of bullet points is this:

<<# Between Master and Disciples offers a glimpse into candid conversations between Supreme Master Ching Hai and spiritual practitioners on subjects ranging from daily life to the secrets of the universe and much more.>>

Some more searching reveals this: (getting weirder by the minute)

http://www.godsdirectcontact.org/

The 'shop front' is all about vegetarianism and 'save the planet' and animal rights, but.. when lurking in the shadows is "Gods direct Contact"......

One is tempted to have some concerns.

and...it gets weirder still!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ching_Hai#International_awards

<In the past, she stated that she earned more than former U.S. President Bill Clinton's annual salary of $200,000,[39] which is incongruous with a monastic lifestyle requiring that clergy do not engage in profit or commercial activity. She has opened vegetarian restaurants, held public seminars, and has made millions of dollars as a painter, fashion designer, and jewelry designer. She has also raised eyebrows for her flamboyant dress sense, which is not in line with that of a Buddhist monk or nun. In October 1995 on Ching Hai Day, she wore queenly robes "under orders from God," riding a sedan chair carried by eight bearers to the cheers of "your royal majesty".>

Now.. at risk of being accused of 'odiously spreading hate and loathing' :) I recommend all take extreme care in delving into this kind of thing.