Under pressure, a pastor in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan cancelled what some have billed as an “anti-Muslim event” that was scheduled to take place on 9/11. The story is here:
A Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church is canceling [i.e. cancelled] an anti-Muslim event scheduled for the 9/11 anniversary after facing condemnation from Michigan representatives and organizations.
Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church announced in a one-sentence email that it will cancel [cancelled] the two-day “9/11 forgotten? Is Michigan surrendering to Islam?” event that was originally scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
The event was slated to host two speakers, who would address topics like “How the interfaith movement is sabotaging America and the church” and “How Islam is destroying America from within.”
The church’s pastor, Donald McKay, defended the event to Fox 2 last week, telling the station that “Islam is a growing threat in the United States of America,” and that while he couldn’t speak for his church, “we don’t hate Muslims, we hate the ideology they are identified with.”
“I am an Islamophobe, I wear that badge proudly,” said McKay, who told Fox 2 at the time that he did not plan on canceling.
The event quickly gained attention from political leaders and organizations in Michigan, who condemned the discussion and called for its cancellation.
In a joint statement on the issue, U.S. Democratic Reps. Andy Levin and Debbie Dingell said there is “no place for hate in metro Detroit, in Michigan or anywhere in the United States.”
“We implore the Bloomfield Baptist Church to forgo the anti-Muslim events planned for next week and instead recognize America’s rich cultural and religious diversity as we reflect on one of the most painful days in our country’s history and heal from recent acts of white supremacist violence,” Levin and Dingell said. “As people of faith, we ask Michiganders to unify in peace and celebrate our shared humanity to help prevent future acts of hatred.”
Do Andy Levin and Debbie Dingell have any idea that this notion of a “shared humanity” is not to be found in Islam? How can there be a “shared humanity” when Muslims are described in the Qur’an as “the best of peoples” and non-Muslims as “the most vile of created beings”? How can there be a “shared humanity” when Muslims are commanded in the Qur’an not to take Jews and Christians as friends, for “they are friends only with each other”? How can there be a “shared humanity” when 109 Qur’anic verses command Muslims to “fight” and to “kill” and to “smite at the necks of” and “strike terror in the hearts of” Unbelievers?
Dawud Walid, executive director of Michigan’s Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) chapter, said the anti-Islam rhetoric the church was promoting was “troubling,” especially in light of the frequency of hate crimes against Muslims.
Dawud Walid, a director at unindicted co-conspirator CAIR, finds “troubling” the “anti-Islam rhetoric” promoted by the Baptist church in Bloomfield Hills. Will any reporter dare to ask him the obvious? To wit, do you, Dawud Walid, find anything “troubling” about those Qur’anic verses that command violent Jihad against the Unbelievers as, for example, 2:191-193, 4:89, 8:12, 8:60, 9:5, 9:29, 47:4? Are you in the least bit “troubled” by the description of all non-Muslims as “the most vile of created beings”? Are you at all troubled by Muhammad’s claims in the Hadith that “war is deceit” and “I have been made victorious through terror”?
“Though we believe that houses of worship have the right to preach their doctrine, we find it incredibly irresponsible for a church to invite someone who has the objective of spewing clear anti-Muslim bigotry,” Walid told the Free Press.
Thus did the event in question, which might have contributed to an understanding of Islam, instead become an occasion for a craven surrender to those who wish to shut down all criticism of Islam, and Pastor Donald McKay ends up having been painted as a bigot.
Pastor McKay left himself quite unnecessarily open to criticism when he boastingly described himself as an “Islamophobe.” Instead of accepting that tendentious term, he ought to have held a news conference, where he could have forthrightly refused it, insisting that “I am not an ‘Islamophobe’ as some would have it; I am an islamocritic, who has read and studied the Qur’an. The term ‘Islamophobia’ is used to insinuate that all criticism of Islam must reflect an ‘irrational fear’ rather than a perfectly rational anxiety about the texts and teachings of the faith; it is an attempt to shut down all criticism of Islam, which is surely an illegitimate aim. My anxiety about Islam is not an ‘irrational fear,’ but, I believe, a rational one. I would ask the Representatives – Andy Levin and Debbie Dingell — who want to shut down the discussion of Islam at my church, without knowing what will be said, to come as guests, to listen to what our speakers have to say, and if they disagree, to speak out at the church itself rather than to try to prevent such a discussion from taking place. Of course, I request that they do the same homework beforehand that I and the members of my church have done – that is, read the Qur’an.
“I have prepared a list of the dozen Qur’anic verses on which we will be focusing. This dozen that we will be discussing have also been posted at the website of the church. Any fair-minded reporter should include mention of these in reporting on the so-called ‘Islamophobic’ event at the church. These verses include the following:
“2:191. And kill them [the non-Muslims] wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram, unless they fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
“2:192. But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
“2:193. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah and worship is for Allah. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)
“3:110. Ye [Muslims] are the best of peoples, evolved for mankind, enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.
“4:89. They [Christians and Jews] wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal. So take not Auliya’ (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the Way of Allah. But if they turn back (from Islam), take (hold) of them and kill them wherever you find them, and take neither Auliya’ (protectors or friends) nor helpers from them.
“5:51. O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.
“8:12. Your Lord inspired the angels: I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes…
“8:60. And make ready against them [the disbelievers] all you can of power, including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allah does know.
“9:5. Then when the Sacred Months have passed, then kill the Mushrikun [the Idolaters] wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform Salat, and give Zakat, then leave their way free.
“9:29. Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
“47:4. Now when ye meet in battle those who disbelieve, then it is smiting of the necks until, when ye have routed them, then making fast of bonds; and afterward either grace or ransom till the war lay down its burdens…
“98:6. Those who disbelieve from among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures.
“Cf. 8:55. Surely the vilest of animals in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve, then they would not believe.”
Pastor McKay could continue:
“These dozen verses will also be delivered to all the reporters expressing an interest covering the event. We hope they will read them, and that some of those reporting might even have the scrupulosity to refer to a few of the verses by sura and ayat or even – which would be most helpful of all — to quote a handful. In their reporting, they can also alert their readers to the fact that these dozen can be easily consulted at the website of the church. Thus they will be better able to judge for themselves whether our own discussion about Islam is unfair in any way.”
Pastor McKay should also take issue with Representatives Levin and Dingell for their remarks addressed directly to him: “We implore the Bloomfield Baptist Church to forgo the anti-Muslim events planned for next week and instead recognize America’s rich cultural and religious diversity as we reflect on one of the most painful days in our country’s history and heal from recent acts of white supremacist violence,” Levin and Dingell said. “As people of faith, we ask Michiganders to unify in peace and celebrate our shared humanity to help prevent future acts of hatred.”
Pastor McKay’s reply could be: “It does no good to present a saccharine view of Islam. In order to ‘help prevent future acts of hatred’ by Muslim terrorists, we need to know what prompts their acts: is it something we non-Muslims have done, or is it simply who we are, that is, non-Muslims, that provokes such violence and hatred? Isn’t it essential that we study the Qur’an, to find out the truth of the matter? Why should anyone object to our reading, studying, examining, discussing that essential text of Islam? Should we shun such knowledge, leaving ourselves unable to comprehend those who wish us no good? Or should we strive to fathom the faith of Islam, wherever that might lead?”
The reports in advance of the event might then have read quite differently:
“Donald McKay, pastor of the Baptist Church in Bloomfield Hills, who describes himself as an “Islamocritic,” has announced that his congregation will be discussing selected verses from the Qur’an on Wednesday and Thursday [September 11-12]. Visitors will be welcome, but seating is limited, so please contact Pastor McKay if you plan to attend. He has posted at the website of the church the dozen verses from the Qur’an that will be the focus of the discussion, and he encourages everyone who intends to participate, including those who will be reporting on the event, to read those dozen verses ahead of time.”
Thus retouched for public consumption, Pastor McKay now comes across not, as previously presented, as a proud bigot (“I am an Islamophobe”), but rather as an inquiring mind, hoping to encourage others to join him in an uninhibited examination of the texts and teachings of Islam. Only those with something to hide — CAIR, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib — could conceivably object to such a program. Turn the tables, put them on the defensive. And never give an inch to those who, whether cunning or terminally naive Defenders of the Faith, persist in misdirecting us.
Me says
He should have never backed down. I never would. I’m getting sick of people calling it “hate” for the sake of hating, when in fact it is intelligent to see the facts.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
I am an Islamophobe, I wear that badge proudly,
That’s one intelligent to-the-point statement right there. We’ve come to expect drivel from the pulpit when it comes to Islam, seems to be almost required (to wit: Pope Frank, the globo-socialist from Buenos Aires).
As a fellow Islamophobe, I’m greatly heartened by the pastor’s references to the contents of Islam. Our political “leaders” could benefit from his work as an example.
Jap says
NO, never use that term, it justifies the lie.
A phobia is an unreasoning fear of something.
It’s like calling someone who has a dislike of homosexuals a “homophobe” when it is simply that they disagree with their lifestyle.
Calling someone or admitting to be an “islamophobe” is a falsehood.
Simply having a reasoned and logical distrust of an ideology which is calling for your death or enslavement is not an unreasoning fear.
gravenimage says
I agree with Jap here. I understand the point of using the phrase, but many uninformed people think it is like proudly saying your are a racist.
gravenimage says
you are
OREN WYSOCKI says
I have read and heard many times that it will be the Jews in the Jewish nation who stand up to the international left and the muslims and finally defeat them, in part because they will have no choice, because it will be clear that their domination will implement an exterminist policy for Jews, where Jews are not allowed to marry Jews, nor are they allowed to defend themselves from gentiles desiring to attack them or abuse them. It will lead to an impossible situation to bare, because the insecurity and anger over Jewish exceptionalism is to great, and Israeli public opinion will chose G-d, and the secular right wing over the fear of being called racist by the left or the muslims. It has biased me in favor of Israel, knowing the future has.
But in defense of these christians, even in Israel the security situation is impossible. The procedure for being an open and honest critic of islam is to setup A bunker with A radio transmitter, stockpile food and ammo, and recruit enough men to establish A proper perimeter.
The people on tv have bodyguards and secret identities, fortified homes and no jobs. Some of us do the heavy lifting because we chose to, or we can’t help ourselves, but it is illogical as long as you ignore the consequences on our people, on humanity and on your family. I suppose once you know, you just take the risk to fight off the madness of doing and saying nothing. The truth is we are protected by our governments, and the vast majority of us will not have terrible stuff happen to us, and our efforts do count against the power bestowed upon the left for A short time.
But A church with A set location, with A reputation, with substantial percentages of leftists choosing to become violent against truth tellers due to their mistaken beliefs impervious to criticism due to their support of censorship in their lives and in their government. Such A church should reasonably expect eventual attack. But that is what they are here for. in G-d I trust.
Prebangian says
Who else, aside from pernicious, insidious Islamist propagandist, would coin a term that insults those at whom the slur is hurled as having a mental/emotional disorder? I don’t respond to those who use that word and I don’t use it. To use this slur is to accept Islamic aggressive propaganda as being true. To respond to this slur is to admit that one has a disorder.
somehistory says
it’s a contrived term meant to shut people up when it comes to telling the truth about islam.
It is meant as an insult. Who accepts insults and even calls themselves by those terms?
People don’t even accept being called a liar when it is obvious that lies are being told, so why accept the term moslims have contrived for the sole purpose of keeping the truth from being told?
I hate islam. But I am not afraid of it and I certainly don’t have a phobia regarding the filthy, evil beast from satan. I reject islam as I reject satan the devil who created the beast.
The two state reps should be called out for using pressure on a place of worship, in order to protect moslims and their filthy lies. They used their ‘color of law’ to intimidate the church on behalf of the moslims and that is just plan illegal. Just what reward will these two reps gain from the moslims for helping them shut down the speeches?
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Language sets the boundaries of human discourse. If they use Islamophobe, they must somehow must be made to demonstrate that fear of Islam is irrational. That can be done by directly comparing Islam to acknowledged facts. That can be done because the truth (reality) is knowable. Do that with the term Islamophobe and its usage will plummeet, tending to impugn one who uses it, always being asked just exactly how is fear of Islam not rational?
gravenimage says
Fine posts, Somehistory and APF.
Mario Alexis Portella says
Of course, just normal for another Christian churchman, like so many in the Catholic Church, capitulating to Islam! https://thegreatarchitect.blog/2019/05/17/776/
gravenimage says
All too often true, sadly.
James Lincoln says
Again, the problematic and nonsensical word “Islamophobia”…
I’ll go out on a limb here…
In theory, perhaps it is irrational to fear any idea, ideology, etc. in a vacuum. It’s the PEOPLE who would put an ideology such as Islam, Nazi-ism, communism, etc. into practice who SHOULD be feared.
For example, I do not fear Hitler’s Mein Kampf. What I fear are the people who, given the chance, would put the ideology of this book into practice.
Fear of “fundamentalist” Muslims who hold dear the tenants of Islam and desire to impose sharia law are very rationally feared.
gravenimage says
+1
underbed cat says
You have to wonder who is monitoring the churches every move, so that the truth gets suppressed who brought this to the attention of Debbie Dingall and others or was it the proud confession of knowing Islam and trying to warn Christians and Jews and public what Islamic doctrine really promotes. So why would representatives from Michigan declare this a “hateful event”, what would be apparent to the informed” islamophobes”, or people who have read the Quran, is that they have relied on Imams to explain the doctrine who have an obligation to fib, or read the peaceful sounding verses and not be aware there are also the verses of the sword, sura 2: 191 And kill them(non believers) where ever you find them….” or the genesis of terror.
Deception and influence( possible grants ) or threats of being called “racist” instead of informed, aid the acceptance of Islam in Michigan are all that is needed get politicians to convince people to avoid facts and unknowingly protect evil. The truth about the fatwa a legal ruling to attack America and fly planes into NYC to kill, from the so called religion of tolerance and peace would shock many. Saudi Arabia is the heart of Islam. That is why the information about the verses in the Quran are so relentlessly never acknowledged and why all hijackers on 9/11 were Islamic and that was the second attack, the first attack on the towers came years earlier, the truck bombs didn’t take the building down. A clever doctrine that forbids followers to speak or expose anything that would upset muslims they say, hiding information protect them from who or to protect the doctrine from being seen as a formidable problem when it arrives and conquers the minds in Michigan and elsewhere, all they have to do is some to act nice, and hide the doctrine and keep control of information of the goals of Islam. Sura 2: 191. This is motivation to suppress freedom of speech, truth is the new hate speech, so they can turn the informed speaker into a” hater” to hide jihad.
gravenimage says
Muslims–and Leftists–are always out to shut down these kinds of events that ask about the truth.
Michael Copeland says
Democratic Reps. Andy Levin and Debbie Dingell successfully suppressed freedom of speech in defiance of the Constitution they have sworn to uphold.
No place for hate?
In their confident virtue-signalling they said there is “no place for hate in metro Detroit, in Michigan or anywhere in the United States.”
They expose their ignorance. Islam has the basic doctrine of “al-walaa al baraa” – Loyalty and Enmity. Every mosque is a place for hate. Hate is part of Islam’s teachings:
“Muslims in the West must have an attitude of enmity & hatred of the kaffirs” – http://www.islamqa.com
“You should hate them, disown them and their religion” – http://www.Alminbar.com
“You must love the muslims and hate the kuffaar” – http://www.muslimsagainstvoting
This is no “misunderstanding”. It comes straight from the Koran, the “excellent pattern” shown by Ibrahim:
“…between us and you enmity and hatred forever” – Koran 60:4, part of Islamic law.
Learning Curve Needed.
Michael Copeland says
Messages of support can be sent to the courageous and maligned Donald McKay:
Bloomfield Hills Baptist Church
3600 Telegraph Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
gravenimage says
Thank you, Michael. We have to show our support.
Here is their phone number: (248) 647-3851.
And here is their email contact, which might be the best way to contact them:
https://bloomfieldchurch.org/contact-us/
Angemon says
Or deletes a six-years-old tweet:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/ilhan-omar-deletes-old-tweet-revealing-her-father-has-same-name-brother
Michael Copeland says
The reporter, Emma Keith of Detroit Free Press, gratuitously maligns the event by calling it “anti-Muslim”. It was pro-information. This would have been an informative learning opportunity, particularly for her.
“Destroying the Western Civilisation from within” is a stated aim of the secret Muslim Brotherhood plan discovered in a police search.
Hamtramck and Dearborn are practically Sharia No-Go Zones. “Is Michigan surrendering to Islam” is a legitimate and very topical question.
Shame on the Detroit Free Press for shutting down free speech.
Shirley Ann says
I’m beginning to see where the real fears of Rev.McKay are Founded! Pro-Islam DEM Reps. Dingell & Levin can destroy the Reputation of Rev. McKay & His Church in one Letter to the Editor. Muslims usually ingratiate themselves with all the Powerful Elite in a City & will naturally have these People use the Press to explain the “Evil” of Rev.McKay & his Church.
I’ve seen It done when Politicians & NewsPaper Editors go on a Tirade Against a Christian Institution. Please remember that we do NOT know the kind of Pressure that was placed on this man,
SweetLadyMary says
Muslims can spew hatred against Christians , but Christians can’t criticize the Islam cult. Why? Christians do not call for the murder of Muslims but Islam calls for the murder of all non Muslims. I would claim there is inequality here.