Can you take the "The Holy Qur'an" out of context?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm going to protest at Ground Zero against building the Mosque.

I live in NYC and stood in front of the building and watched them go inside and out. Muslims are already praying inside.

Now, I want to approach them (in a friendly way) and ask them about specific Sura's from the Quran but I don't know the Qur'an too well.

But I hate when people don't know the bible and quote the Old Testament as proof that Christianity is violent or something.

So my question is, Can I ask them what this means without taking it out of context:

“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.” (Sura 5, verse 51).

Hi Santana,

I too live in NYC, but I will not protest the Mosque going up. That is a risk we take in a "free society". At least with Islam, opposed to secularism, the culture is far more away of its biases and tendencies.

All in all, do thorough research if you are going to engage them and know their objections and answers prior to engaging them. Obviously, this can't be done all the time, but if you are going on the attack like this (I don't mean 'attack' negatively), then you must show enough respect to understand their beliefs.

It is of utmost importance that Christians do not bear false testimony in witnessing to others, so testimony by hearsay or picking out random verses from their book and hoping something sticks is pretty weak.

OpenAirboy,

Thnx. We'll, I disagree on the protest/mosque. I don't think we should give it to them so easily. It might encourage them.

But I recieve the 2nd part. It would be unfair for me to just pick out verses like that.

On the issue of quoting out of context, openairboy is so right. I think you answered your own question Santanna. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Muslim people are human beings, and many of them may well become children of God. Treat them with the same respect and deference that you would treat a brother or sister in Christ. They are not to be looked down on any more than you would want to be looked down on. Show them love while you share the word with them. If they need to be defended from injustice, do so honestly. If there is correction needed for them, do it in a spirit of love and hope. In our country a Muslim has the same rights you do...remember that. Don't jump on the racist, Muslim hating bandwagon that Fox and the rest of this nation wants you on.

Humility is what makes us a recipient of grace...we ought then share the gospel with boldness but also with humility. If we do not know our subject well enough, then follow Peters advice and add 'excellence' to your faith. Be excellent about your subject matter.

Santana,

With it going up, I *can't* believe how bold they are and encouraged! They are more than encouraged in taking on the United States and dotting the landscape with mosques.

It is a fascinating historical time to be alive. The economy is teetering, "foreign" gods are coming in like a flood, and our government is bankrupt in almost every way you can think of and has no answers to the basic questions, including the mosque.

In theory, I could agree with the protest, but the root problem is one of worship and no law, no protest, and not building will not stop the wrong worship in this country.

As a Brit, I am astounded that Obama is actually talking about a mosque being built a matter of yards away from Ground Zero. This is where muslim extremists hijacked 2 aeroplanes and crashed them into two sky scrapers killing and injuring hundreds of people - with the world watching. And another plane tried to remove your Pentagon/White House - your seat of power. And Obama is now considering allowing this particular religion to have their worship place built there! What an insult to all those murdered. It is now 65 years since the end of World War 2, and I doubt if any Brit would be allowed to build or place any reminder of Hitler in this country.

Why can't this area be left as a memorial garden and park for people to come and remember, not just those killed at 9-11, but the many others who have sacrificed their lives for your country throughout history? If you want mosques built, you have a huge country where they can be built. Why here?

Suzy