A prominent rabbi and imam, each raised in orthodoxy, overcome the temptations of bigotry and work to bridge the chasm between Muslims and Jews
Rabbi Marc Schneier, the eighteenth generation of a distinguished rabbinical dynasty, grew up deeply suspicious of Muslims, believing them all to be anti-Semitic. Imam Shamsi Ali, who grew up in a small Indonesian village and studied in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, believed that all Jews wanted to destroy Muslims. Coming from positions of mutual mistrust, it seems unthinkable that these orthodox religious leaders would ever see eye to eye. Yet in the aftermath of 9/11, amid increasing acrimony between Jews and Muslims, the two men overcame their prejudices and bonded over a shared belief in the importance of opening up a dialogue and finding mutual respect. In doing so, they became not only friends but also defenders of each other's religion, denouncing the twin threats of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia and promoting interfaith cooperation.
In "Sons of Abraham," Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali tell the story of how they became friends and offer a candid look at the contentious theological and political issues that frequently divide Jews and Muslims, clarifying erroneous ideas that extremists in each religion use to justify harmful behavior. Rabbi Schneier dispels misconceptions about chosenness in Judaism, while Imam Ali explains the truth behind concepts like jihad and Shari'a. And on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the two speak forthrightly on the importance of having a civil discussion and the urgency of reaching a peaceful solution.
As Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali show, by reaching a fuller understanding of one another's faith traditions, Jews and Muslims can realize that they are actually more united than divided in their core beliefs. Both traditions promote kindness, service, and responsibility for the less fortunate--and both religions call on their members to extend compassion to those outside the faith. In this sorely needed book, Rabbi Schneier and Imam Ali challenge Jews and Muslims to step out of their comfort zones, find common ground in their shared Abrahamic traditions, and stand together and fight for a better world for all.

Secularism, Theology and Islam offers a uniquely theological analysis of the historic Danish cartoon crisis of 2005-2006, in which the publication of twelve images of the Prophet Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten ignited violent global protests. The crisis represents a politically, culturally, and religiously important event of the early 21st century, and Jennifer Veninga explores the important question of why the cartoons were published in Denmark when they were and why this matters to the larger global community. The book outlines three main interpretations of the affair as they were framed by international news media: as an issue exclusively about freedom of speech, as related to a 'clash of civilizations', or exclusively as a matter of international politics. Whilst these are important to note, the author argues that the crisis was far more complex than any of these interpretations suggest, and argues that an alternative methodology can be found in philosopher Charles Taylor's concept of the 'social imaginary', which refers to the shared norms, expectations, images and narratives of a community or nation that inform many of its shared practices. Describing the Danish social imaginary as a paradox of Christianity and secularism, Veninga explains why the new presence of Islam has been perceived as such a threat to Danish identity. The author also maintains that despite tendencies toward exclusion, the Danish imaginary also supports a move toward authentic religious pluralism. Understanding the Danish cartoon crisis is important for any community struggling with new religious diversity, especially those with largely secular identities. Furthermore, the method used to examine the crisis provides a theological analytical framework applicable to a wide variety of contemporary social and political movements and issues.

There is too much intentional and mistaken misinformation in our present culture about the purposes and practices of modern Catholicism. This had led to endless bigotry and needless hate speech and deeds against Christ's original Church. This little book is an attempt to explain to fellow Christians what it really means to be Roman Catholic. It is not a debate. It is an honest attempt on my part to share. It is not an attempt to convert you to joining the more than 1.2 billion Christians that call themselves Catholic.

WINTERING ON THE BAYOU SALADE- This is a true story of a man who after a lifetime of being physically, emotionally, financially and psychologically abused for not adhering to the oppressive radical teachings and beliefs of the LDS (Mormon) Church, took it upon himself to escape and relocate from behind Utah's Zion Curtain in spite of the long reach and influence of the vile and violent history of this powerful religious sect of the American west. In the process of these endeavors he literally meets the woman of his visions and together they successfully build the life they want together in the primitive high-country of the central Colorado Rockies. Successful in every way but for the continued duress and inescapable heavy-handed harassment and vandalism by members of the dangerous zealots he thought he had left behind. Never off his back are the Danites; the Mormon secret society of Avenging or Destroying Angels that was created to not only lurk under the dark cloak of night to harass those they consider an enemy of the church, but murder through their doctrine of Blood Atonement those who apostate or appose their beliefs. Attached is the 1834 edition of E. D. Howe's Mormonism Unvailed. The first documentary on Mormonism ever published.

"Thank you, Father Kim Il Sung" is the first phrase North Korean parents are instructed to teach to their children. From cradle to grave, North Korean citizens are surrounded by the all-encompassing presence of the "Great Leader" and his son, the "Dear Leader" Kim Jong Il. The Kim dynasty is much more than an authoritarian government; it also holds itself out as the ultimate source of power, virtue, spiritual wisdom, and truth for the North Korean people. Heterodoxy and dissent are repressed, quickly and efficiently, with punishments meted out to successive generations of the dissident's family. The study that follows was commissioned by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, an independent, bipartisan U.S. government agency that monitors freedom of religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments, and that provides independent policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and the Congress. Forty former North Koreans were interviewed extensively regarding conditions of freedom of religion or belief in the DPRK.

For over a century, and for over 50 years after the Holocaust, the Vatican has been hostile to the creation of a Jewish homeland in the Middle East with its capital as Jerusalem. For 60 years after the Jewish State gained independence in 1948, the Catholic Church adopted a policy fitting to Israel's Arab-Islamic enemies: total non-recognition of Jewish statehood and peoplehood. Despite acceptance by every Western nation, Israel was not accorded formal diplomatic recognition by the Vatican before 1993. The Church formally recognized Israel's existence only two decades after Israel's foe, Egypt's Sadat, signed a peace treaty with the Jewish State. Apparently only the Vatican considered the State of Israel undeserving of its recognition. How do we explain this refusal? Catholicism had long viewed Judaism as a pariah faith and the Jews a group destined to wander the earth for their complicity in the death of Jesus. Although the Second Vatican Council partially revoked this anti-Semitic doctrine in 1965, since then the Vatican rapprochement with the Jewish people took place at two levels, which the Vatican separated, theologically and politically. Each advance on the first plane was counterbalanced by a deeper regression on the second, as if the two movements were synchronized. The closer the Vatican seemed to draw toward reconciliation and dialogue with Judaism, the louder grew the clamor supporting the Arab cause against Israel. The Vatican Against Israel: J'ACCUSE deciphers, for the first time, the Vatican's criminalization of the State of Israel and its appeasement of anti-Semitic terrorism in the period between 1945 and 2013. This book urgently matters not only to Jews, but also to Christians, since the two religions share moral values and a common scripture. Jesus was Jewish, and for better or worse, Jews and Christians have lived together in Europe and the Middle East for 2000 years. In fact in many parts of the Christian world, Christians have rediscovered their Jewish roots. With its more than one billion adherents and strategic influence in the Middle East where Israel is under existential threat by Islamic terror groups and an Iranian apocalyptic revolution, the Vatican has an intrinsic relationship with Israel different from Israel's relationship with any other group. How the Vatican will relate to Israel and its Jews will affect future relations between Christians and Jews. With Israel still establishing the terms of its existence and the Zionists' current struggle for their own future, the Vatican has the chance to redeem its past mistakes. Will it do so?

Wrestling In Deep Waters is a book for all people. This book depicts the history of religious tolerance and growth. In the exploration of which we are as people, this book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, dramatizes the struggle we-as humans-have had. Even now many are having to struggle in the continued progress of living. This book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a book of encouragement. God in this book wants us to hold on to the power he has given us. God wants us to see that it is his power that helps us with our wrestles in these "old deep waters." This Book, Wrestling In Deep Waters, is a great book for those of us that are "saved" embracing the benefits of God's saving grace. And, finally, Wrestling In Deep Waters as a great book wants to help the "unsaved" to know salvation; whereas, they can decide for themselves if they want to be "saved," resting in the loving arms of a gentle Savior.

If you love Jesus but distrust religion there is a reason. The reason you feel that way is Jesus came to bring the Light and the Word to lead mankind out of the darkness. You are meant to live in communication with the Father through the Holy Spirit every day of your life. Mankind was created to be a spititual being within a human body. We are being called to an awakening of a New Age fo God that wants us to start living within the spirit as it was intended. Man took the Word and subverted Jesus' intent and created a religion. The seeds of deceit have mislead generations to follow doctrines that are an abomination to the Father. Mans logic and Pagan beliefs have been infiltrated into the churces and God wants you to see the truth. Learn how to hear and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You can discern the truth for yourself and begin to live in the New Age of true worship. If you seek the truth the Father of us all will stretch forth his hand to lead you, to heal, and to give us signs and wonders. He will bring miracles back to the world ( Acts 4:30). When the Holy Spirit moves, the miracles worked by the Son will be to glorify the Father (Acts 3:13). Isn't it time to start living a miraclous life instead of being at the mercy of a world that could care less about you. The world seeks to keep you distracted but you can begin to live a life of purpose. People have not been taught the truth about worship. Instead they have given you words without intent and a bunch of manmade rules and regulations. You can learn to live in His glory and grace. Put aside the deceits of the world and start seeking the truth for yourself. This book holds the keys to opening your eyes, your heart and how to control the mind. Everyone is struggling, searching and wondering what is missing. Why is this life so difficult? The Doctor cannot write a prescription for what is troubling people. Give me a chance to show you an alternative to the madness of the world. God wants to restore faith to His children. The love of the Father is reaching out to His children. Isn't it time to come back to the truth? Answer the quickening in your spirit and take a step closer to the truth.

In the middle of the nineteenth century a group of political activists in New York City joined together to challenge a religious group they believed were hostile to the American values of liberty and freedom. Called the Know Nothings, they started riots during elections, tarred and feathered their political enemies, and barred men from employment based on their religion. The group that caused this uproar?: Irish and German Catholics--then known as the most villainous religious group in America, and widely believed to be loyal only to the Pope. It would take another hundred years before Catholics threw off these xenophobic accusations and joined the American mainstream. The idea that the United States is a stronghold of religious freedom is central to our identity as a nation--and utterly at odds with the historical record. In "American Heretics," historian Peter Gottschalk traces the arc of American religious discrimination and shows that, far from the dominant protestant religions being kept in check by the separation between church and state, religious groups from Quakers to Judaism have been subjected to similar patterns of persecution. Today, many of these same religious groups that were once regarded as anti-thetical to American values are embraced as evidence of our strong religious heritage--giving hope to today's Muslims, Sikhs, and other religious groups now under fire.

On February 18, 2009 at 8.15 pm, Lorenzo Bouchard sent to honorable court elected members a message under the title: BAN ISLAM ( PETITION ON GOOGLE), as it is in capital letters. He addressed it: TO: THE WORLD COURT. He describes the message as phase 1, in controlling Islam. For those who are concerned "about "Slavery, especially of Women in our modern World" and asked politely the members " please read the following item." Now you know the sender and the subject matter and the receivers of the petition are: those who are interested in human values and "Universal Love" which in his belief are "THE WORLD COURT" to judge his request. The undersigned are representing International petitioners. Their request is to "ban on the organization called Islam." The author responded to this petition published under the title "Banning Islam: A Petition of Ingnorance." It is good to read. Islam however, is the most ignored and misunderstood faith in the West, until recent years. The author, also a poet, he is a former professor of sociology authored more than 140 books available for readers in both Arabic and English, and his works are translated into dozens of other languages. Dr. Yahya, an Arab American scholar resides in Michigan, USA, have four children and 10 grandchildren.

This novel is historical fiction. It's setting is the Spanish Inquisition and Spain's reconquest from the Arabs. Described are Spain's monarchs efforts to create a country of pure blood and one faith (Catholicism). To this end non Christians were expelled and their wealth retained. Spain became an elitist society, self-segregated and closed minded religion. Casiano, a Christian knight and Perla, a Converso Jewess are fictional. They are subjected to the cruelties of self-serving Church and Kings. Perla is arrested for heresy but is rescued from the stake by Casiano. They escape to live in freedom, away from Church and Crown.

Redemption Alley follows the lives of three people with differing spiritual destinies Cleophas Jedidiah Pettibone aka C.J. was born into a family of preachers. C.J. had a great adviser and guide into becoming a preacher in his father, Rev. Jasper Pettibone. He became a successful pastor of his own church. After realizing some of the carnal side of the profession and bad choices, the crumbling of his marriage and the abandonment of his family, he found himself in need of redemption. Tamara Baker, found a love for doing hair and brought to fruition a successful business with the help of her loving mother. She witnessed the shortcomings of preachers in her life; decided in her words that she could not "do church." Her mother's relationship failures and consequent addiction caused their once close bond to deteriorate. Tamara found she was in need of redemption. Byron "Butta" McClendon was a young man who grabbed life and lived on a sports pedestal. When the stadium lights were turned off and the real world were staring in his face. Butta decided to get involved with the seedy and illegal business venture with his friends. Meeting his deadbeat father and facing life threatening events, "Butta" found he was in need of redemption. The lives of these three intertwined then descended into places that made it difficult to realize their destination. You will follow then into the depths of destruction and arrive with them to claim their victories. This happens because there is a "Redemption Alley"

Its publication now in pamphlet form is due to its delivery at Harper's Ferry, W. Va., on Decoration day, 1881, and to the fact that the proceeds from the sale of it are to be used toward the endowment of a John Brown Professorship in Storer College, Harper's Ferry-an institution mainly devoted to the education of colored youth. That such an address could be delivered at such a place, at such a time, is strikingly significant, and illustrates the rapid, vast and wonderful changes through which the American people have been passing since 1859. Twenty years ago Frederick Douglass and others were mobbed in the city of Boston, and. driven from Tremont Temple for uttering sentiments concerning. John Brown similar to those contained in this address. Yet now he goes freely to the very spot where John Brown committed the offense which caused all Virginia to clamor for his life, and without reserve or qualification, commends him as a hero and martyr in the cause of liberty.

This new edition of "Byzantium and the Crusades" provides a fully-revised and updated version of Jonathan Harris's landmark text in the field of Byzantine and crusader history.The book offers a chronological exploration of Byzantium and the outlook of its rulers during the time of the Crusades. It argues that one of the main keys to Byzantine interaction with Western Europe, the Crusades and the crusader states can be found in the nature of the Byzantine Empire and the ideology which underpinned it, rather than in any generalised hostility between the peoples.Taking recent scholarship into account, this new edition includes an updated notes section and bibliography, as well as significant new additions to the text: - New material on the role of religious differences after 1100- A detailed discussion of economic, social and religious changes that took place in 12th-century Byzantine relations with the west- In-depth coverage of Byzantium and the Crusades during the 13th century- New maps, illustrations, genealogical tables and a timeline of key dates"Byzantium and the Crusades" is an important contribution to the historiography by a major scholar in the field that should be read by anyone interested in Byzantine and crusader history.

Open your eyes and prepare to see the unyielding truth Top Heavy, Bottom Fed is about to shatter every thing you thought you knew about serving the LORD. GOD said those who worship HIM must worship HIM in spirit and in truth. How is it then that the average American church has invited pagan practices into its pulpits and pews? You will: Discover how the welfare system works against the Believer. Discover how the rise of false gods continue to bring down the American system and the churches that submit to it. Learn the history and setup of the American governmental system and its practices. Witness how the system demoralizes and persecutes a church that attempts to merge with it. Learn what are principalities, powers and devils The truth will shock you Find out how so many believers are whoring themselves to this devil-made system And much more You will never be the same after reading Top Heavy, Bottom Fed. This book is full of truths that will shock even the most astute believer