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Christianity vs. Islam debate between pastor, imam draws 3,000
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FORT MYERS — The theological disagreements weren’t resolved but the atmosphere remained civil during a debate between a Muslim imam and a Christian evangelist at First Assembly of God Church in Fort Myers on Sunday night.
“It went better than I expected,” Imam Mohamed Al-Darsani said after the two-hour debate. “We connected with people, we started a conversation and I hope we can keep that conversation going.”
About 3,000 attended the event, which was organized by the church and WRXY, a local Christian television station.
The debate was scheduled after Al-Darsani saw one of Pastor Reza Safa’s programs on WRXY and approached station manager Paul Lodato to ask for equal time.
Based in Tulsa, Okla., Safa is a former Shiite Muslim who converted to Christianity about 20 years ago. He is founder of World Harvest Ministries and TBN Nejat TV.
Al-Darsani is the founder and imam of the Islamic Center for Peace in Fort Myers.
He regularly organizes interfaith programs at the center and with Christian churches and Jewish temples in this region.
During the debate, Safa used his personal experience to stress the lack of “salvation” in Islamic theology and the religion’s emphasis on earning entry into heaven through good works.
Using verses from the Koran as evidence, he also said the religion is hostile toward Christians.
“If there’s so much love for Christians, how come there is not a single Islamic nation that allows Christians to practice their faith in freedom?” he asked.
Darsani said Safa was using a “cut and paste” approach with the verses, to misrepresent a peaceful religion.
He also stressed that Islam is a religion that shares core beliefs with Judaism and Christianity, and that acts fueled by political feuds should not be used to judge the religion.
“Yes, there are acts of violence and crime, but does that mean Islam is behind it? Crimes are crimes no matter where they happen and who commits them,” he said.
Each clergyman presented his case for one-half hour, then each was given 15 minutes for rebuttal.
Both Safa and Al-Darsani also answered three questions from the audience.
The audience was polite and attentive, applauding only at the end of each presentation and rebuttal.
“I think overall it was very balanced,” said Jim Rusnell, a Fort Myers resident and First Assembly congregant. “Both sides presented their theology well, and left the audience with many things to think about. They kept things civil, dealing with a very controversial topic.”
Abdalla Kishta, an Egyptian immigrant and member of Al-Darsani’s congregation, said the debate was informative but that Safa misrepresented some aspects of Islam.
“He selected a way to go, becoming a Christian, and that’s OK,” said Kishta. “He tries to convince people to follow those footsteps, but why didn’t he find any truth in the Koran? And how did he know his prayers weren’t being answered when he was a Muslim? I would like to ask him those questions.”
Stephen and Olinka Blevins attended the debate after hearing about it on the radio.
“We are both Christians but my wife has a Middle Eastern background,” said Stephen Blevins. “She knew about Pastor Reza and I wanted to see what this is all about.”
Olinka Blevins is Syrian but also lived in Iran.
After the debate, both Safa and Al-Darsani were happy with the results.
“We didn’t meet in order to come to any conclusions,” said Safa. “It’s more a matter of exposing our differences and discussing them. A meeting like this would be impossible in a Muslim country.”
“Hopefully we’ll have more programs like this, more dialogues,” said Al-Darsani. “Then we can go more into the theological proofs — why we believe this and why we believe that, and why we don’t agree.”
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"Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination."
-Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom
#1 Posted by ravenhawk on August 25, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
#1 Thats was freaking hilarious!!! Well said!
#2 Posted by LethaLintent on August 25, 2008 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
From the thrilling spectacle of the stunning Olympic finale, we could feel a collective desire from our common humanity to coexist in peace. That ultimately, I believe, is the quintessential spirit of the Constitution of the United States as well. I see no need to debate our differences as much as a need to celebrate them. I think we learn more about each other when we gather with respect and mutual acknowledgment. That said, it sounds like this convocation went. That too gives me hope...however, I would tread softly where poignant differences of opinion are debated. It sounds like a recipe for war instead of peace. Nevertheless, its always great to hear about people gathering and respectfully exchanging ideas without misplaced passion or antipathy.
#3 Posted by michaelkmullen on August 25, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
when Islam gets rid of Sharia law and the fundamentalists then it might be a decent religion...be nice if the Baptists get rid of the fundamentalists too
#4 Posted by prometheus on August 25, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
check out Islam (sharia law!)
http://www.rawa.org/handcut3.htm
#5 Posted by thunderlightening on August 25, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just last night I talked to my son in Iraq. He is fed up with the hypocracy of Muslims. They claim to be "clean" yet sewer and trash line their streets. Sheiks serve tea and cookies at meetings with the military (Salam alekims are exchanged prolifically) and they are fist fighting, screaming and cursing each other other over money and power within 30 minutes. They condem our women for showing their hair and knees but marry off their 12 year old daughters in barter deals.
#6 Posted by thunderlightening on August 25, 2008 at 10:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I commend your son's service and pray that he returns home soundly and safely. I just wanted to say that hypocrisy in a failing not only in Muslims, but also in Christians, Jews, Catholics, etc. Time and time again it seems that cultural and traditional practices are mixed up and with a persons choice of belief system. I served and love my country, but can you or your son truthfully say that there is no hypocrisy here in the United States? Is not the United States largely considered a Christian nation, yet engage in un Christian-like behavior? ? Do we not speak of equality, yet there exists racism and sexism? Perhaps when we, the United States, finally get our back yard in order others may do the same. The main reason our troops are in Iraq is because of the oil and the lie our President told to get there. Oil = money = power. Look deeper.
#7 Posted by SeektoKnow on August 26, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Dear Pete,
I want to thank you for writing and making an effort to publish this debate between a Muslim and a Christian. I also congratulate Imam Al-Darsani and Pastor Reza Safa for holding such a successful and peaceful debate. It is also good to see that media is coming forward and paying attention to cover such events.
Two of your point caught my attention.
You wrote, "During the debate, Safa used his personal experience to stress the lack of "salvation" in Islamic theology and the religion's emphasis on earning entry into heaven through good works".
As a matter of fact, not only Islam but the holy Bible also emphasizes on one's salvation through good works. Reference: Matt 12:32, 36-37, Matt 18:8-9, Matt 13:49-50, Matt 6:14, 15 & Matt 25: 31- 46.
Another point you brought up from Mr. Safa's conversation was, "If there's so much love for Christians, how come there is not a single Islamic nation that allows Christians to practice their faith in freedom?"
I agree with your above statement as Muslim governments are not following what Muhammad (Peace and blessings of God be upon him) signed in the charter of freedom and security to all Christians of all times in which their rights were protected. This charter was signed in 628 CE. Reference: (Al-Wasaiq-ul-Siyasiyya, pp. 187-190).
Feel free to contact me to get a copy of Muhammad's charter of freedom and security granted to the Christians of all times.
Thanks
Imran Ghumman
Imran.Ghumman@gmail.com
http://alislam.org/
#8 Posted by imranghumman on September 4, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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