Islamic Televangelism: Shining the Light with
Lite Religion
Lite Religion
Even as a Christian, I feel a certain kinship to Masoud in that he exhibits a humility in his message of Islam with the ideal of spirituality from the heart rather than a rigid religion. He and his counterparts have set-out to change the face of Islam from an angry religion to what is described as Islam "lite," a watered-down less extreme version. I was surprise after hearing Moez to find that the issues that he addresses are also relevant in the Christian community. In an interview with, Dick Gordon, he speaks about his belief that homosexuality is a sin but as a believer of Islam, he should still show that person love, or as he described it, "hate the sin, love the person". I heard an American Christian televangelist express the same sentiment, in fact there are many similarities of Western televangelist broadcasting style in both Masoud's message delivery and even the appearance of his TV show. It is easy for me to distance myself from the Islamic extremist who bomb buildings with women and children inside, all in the name of Allah, but when I hear this soft-spoken yet still charismatic Islamic preacher speak about a loving and compassionate faith, I think to myself that if the words "Islam" and "Allah" were eliminated it would become hard to determine whether he is talking about his faith or mine.
I completely understand where you're coming from. As Christians, we can be quick to turn a deaf ear to any form of an Islamic message (or of other faiths) because we only believe there is one way to God (through Christ). I personally have come to conclude that even if my personal conviction is the aforementioned, I can still learn from other faiths when the message of LOVE is taught. On numerous occasions in the Bible, and in life in general, we see that God uses unlikely messengers and He still gets the glory. If we are strong in our faith, the "messenger" and his religious affiliation should be no threat to us. Truth and love transcend ALL boundaries. All this said, I believe God would have us all remember that our humanity is our common ground.
ReplyDeleteThis just goes to show how much we are all alike in spite of our differences. Tolerance and the thirst for understanding is what we need more of in this world.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the previous comments. This does show many similarities. I find it interesting how the media shapes many opinions by selectively showing negative images of religions of all kinds. I just don't understand why.
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful to hear someone interviewed of the Islamic faith saying they would show love to someone who was homosexual, or anyone for that matter. It is often stereotyped that Islam is a religion of harsh punishments and “the ultimate” level of humility. I am encouraged to know that those of Islamic faith are embracing the “true love of God” that is forgiving and just, not the “extremist” portrayed by the Muslims of 9/11. As this new freedom is felt in Egypt, I pray more stories like this will follow…
ReplyDeleteMakes you say hmmm. To understand religions of the world you can read and educate yourself. But if you can find that one person who will be honest and knows what it is that they are practicing, priceless. You get a real understanding of their belief. Unlike someone who says they are Muslim and don’t eat pork but breaks every other rule in the book to those who convince innocent women and young men to blow themselves up while they watch and say they must be left behind for the cause. There will always be those that pimp God and those who allow God to use them, the final answer will come at the Judgment Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne, see you at the Judgment Seat
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