Friday, September 21, 2007
Missionary to Islam
At my last First Things meeting, we had a guest, a young man who has been a missionary to an Islamic country. It's one of the the more moderate ones. Regardless, he was invited to leave by the secret police. He has a blog that you may want to spend some time with. He confirms many of the darker things you don't really hear on the News, like the fact that true believers are not allowed to be friends with non-Muslims, Muslims who convert to Christianity risk death, and the total lack of a level playing field in Islamic countries.
We also spent some time discussing the magazine, of course. One fascinating article by an African Anglican Bishop showed us that martyrdom is not just first century stuff. African Anglicans in Uganda can point to a Bishop killed by Idi Amin just a few decades ago, and the way that it led to massive conversions TO Anglicanism. They see Christianity in a more basic, elemental, and real way than we do. For us, persecution is having to take down the Ten Commandments from a courthouse. For them, persecution is a bullet in the middle of the night.
There is another ominous trend that was discussed in this issue, under the general principle of the end of Free Speech in the US. We have our congress discussing hate speech, which really seems to mean anything that someone in the protected group du jour doesn't like. It will be a VERY short jump to banning quoting the Bible on any moral issue. The article talks about the attempts to ban debate on "Global Warming." Is the Earth warming? I have no idea. But I do know that when people start labelling dissenters as "dangerous" or "minions of industry" then we have moved way beyond science into politics. Remember the old Nixon quote about "follow the money?" Who benefits from the populace being frightened? How about fund raisers, news media and their advertisers, politicians who use the issue to get elected, and governments who use the issue to try to gain economic advantage over rival governments? How about scientists who are desperate to get their research funded? Makes me crazy!
We also spent some time discussing the magazine, of course. One fascinating article by an African Anglican Bishop showed us that martyrdom is not just first century stuff. African Anglicans in Uganda can point to a Bishop killed by Idi Amin just a few decades ago, and the way that it led to massive conversions TO Anglicanism. They see Christianity in a more basic, elemental, and real way than we do. For us, persecution is having to take down the Ten Commandments from a courthouse. For them, persecution is a bullet in the middle of the night.
There is another ominous trend that was discussed in this issue, under the general principle of the end of Free Speech in the US. We have our congress discussing hate speech, which really seems to mean anything that someone in the protected group du jour doesn't like. It will be a VERY short jump to banning quoting the Bible on any moral issue. The article talks about the attempts to ban debate on "Global Warming." Is the Earth warming? I have no idea. But I do know that when people start labelling dissenters as "dangerous" or "minions of industry" then we have moved way beyond science into politics. Remember the old Nixon quote about "follow the money?" Who benefits from the populace being frightened? How about fund raisers, news media and their advertisers, politicians who use the issue to get elected, and governments who use the issue to try to gain economic advantage over rival governments? How about scientists who are desperate to get their research funded? Makes me crazy!
2007-8 Get Together Schedule Announced
The Denver Chapter of Christian Medical and Dental Associations announces our coming year's schedule.
Sept. 21--Full Gospel Medicine, Dr. Ken Parsons
Oct. 11--Medical Missions Conference, 7 PM, Porter Hospital Conference Center
Nov. 3rd--Practice by the Book with Al Weir, MD and Rev. Ken Jones, 9AM-3PM,
Mission Hills Church
Dec. 14th--Christmas Party 7 PM
2008
January 25th Hospital Chaplains and Doctors, together
February 29th 7 PM, Walt Larimore MD, male and female differences
March 13, 7 PM, Addiction and Recovery
April 25th, Annual Balancing Career and Family Panel Discussion
May 18th, Senior Students Graduation Ceremony
July 20th, Annual Barbecue and Planning session for Graduates
I send out email reminders and notes on a semi-random basis. If you are not on our Email list, send me a note at denvercmda dot hotmail dot com and we'll get you started.
Sept. 21--Full Gospel Medicine, Dr. Ken Parsons
Oct. 11--Medical Missions Conference, 7 PM, Porter Hospital Conference Center
Nov. 3rd--Practice by the Book with Al Weir, MD and Rev. Ken Jones, 9AM-3PM,
Mission Hills Church
Dec. 14th--Christmas Party 7 PM
2008
January 25th Hospital Chaplains and Doctors, together
February 29th 7 PM, Walt Larimore MD, male and female differences
March 13, 7 PM, Addiction and Recovery
April 25th, Annual Balancing Career and Family Panel Discussion
May 18th, Senior Students Graduation Ceremony
July 20th, Annual Barbecue and Planning session for Graduates
I send out email reminders and notes on a semi-random basis. If you are not on our Email list, send me a note at denvercmda dot hotmail dot com and we'll get you started.
