A semi-retired Roman Catholic bishop in the Netherlands has suggested that "people of all faiths", in an effort to promote interfaith relations with Muslims, should refer to God as "Allah". In fact, Bishop "Tiny" Muskens can accurately lay claim to the following statements, made recently on Dutch television: "Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him?" This the latest from a Roman Catholic leader who is known for encouraging the hungry to "steal", and for promoting the use of condoms to help neutralize AIDS and HIV.

In defense of knowledgeable, doctrinally-uncompromised Catholics, Bishop "Tiny" Muskens' remarks have met with much opposition from within the Catholic Church. As per Fox News, "Bishop Martinus "Tiny" Muskens can pray to "Allah" all he wants, but only addlepated Catholics will follow his lead," Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said in a statement. "It is not a good sign when members of the Catholic hierarchy indulge in a fawning exchange with Muslims, or those of any other religion."

Ecumenism--a movement promoting worldwide unity among religions through greater cooperation and improved understanding--has, for years, been supported and promoted by the Roman Catholic Church, and among its most vocal proponents was none other than Pope John Paul II. In May of 1999, as he welcomed a group of Sunni and Shi'ite Muslims to the Vatican, the world witnessed as Pope John Paull II bowed to and kissed the Muslim holy book, the Qu'ran. Perhaps his most controversial, ecumenically-inspired statements were made in September, 2001 at a homily in Kazakhstan, where he surmised that Muslims are saved, since "they worship the One, True God."

Let us be clear: "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5

No, Bishop "Tiny", we will not refer to our Father in Heaven as "Allah". God is not "Allah". Period. Our God is the Living God. "Allah" is merely one of countless, false, dead idols that have damned the souls of billions over the millennia. Bishop Muskens would have you believe that "God does not care what we call him." Would the Word of God concur with such an assertion? "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved."Acts 4:12  How can Muslims and Christians worship the same God when Muslims do not recognize the deity of Christ? Islam denies Christ's crucifixion. Moreover, the very book to which Pope John Paul II bowed down and kissed--the Qu'ran--states that "Allah" had no son. Sura 6:101: "Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth; How can He have a son when He has no consort?"

I ask you, is this a God you know?

Remain vigilant in this day and age; ever-mindful of false doctrine that can tickle the ear, while damning the soul.

It's been nearly two years since the Danish newspaper, Jyllands-Posten, published 12 caricatures of the "prophet" Mohammad--a misguided action that immediately solicited violence and riots as it immediately morphed into an international incident. The ambassadors from 11 Muslim countries demanded formal apologies from the newspaper before taking the matter before the before the Arab League and Organization of the Islamic Conference. In response to the cartoons, enraged Muslims issued vitriolic statements such as these:

"This is one of the most frustrating things ever happened to me, not only but all mankind. our beloved Prophet gave so much for us in this world, and we will get so much in hearafter inshallah (Shafat). This some kind of Moron journalists are making fun of finest creature of Allah. Allah has not created anybody holier, or better than our Prophet, (pbuh)," one Muslim writes. And another: "I would choke them to death who ever made these cartoons." And another: "If i had a power I would execute them in front of the mass. Their hands and legs should be chopped off. Kuffaar!"

Last week, a newspaper in Malaysia--a country in which the official religion is Islam--dismissed as a mere "accident" its front page publishing of an image of Jesus Christ holding a cigarette. After "suspending" the graphic artist responsible, the general manager of the Makkal Osai newspaper claims the artist "didn't see the cigarette".

That's rich.

Are we to believe that the phases of publishing involved in Malaysian newsprint media are that foreign to our own? Are we to believe that the only two eyes that viewed this blasphemous image, before it found itself on the paper's front page, were those belonging to the graphic artist? Is there not a layout editor that must approve of content to be published before it goes to press? A distribution editor? A publisher?

Even so, what are the odds that the graphic artist received death threats from distraught Christians? How many Christian countries demanded a formal apology from the newspaper in question? How many Christians rioted in the streets in response? How many embassies were torched in protest?

I'm certain Mohammad, mere dust in a box at this point, failed to have an opinion either way once the Danish cartoons hit the stands in 2005. However, the King of Kings continues to watch from above as misguided, lost souls continue to blaspheme His Holy Name. I assure you, He isn't amused.

It's been nearly six years after radical Islam brought down the twin towers of the World Trade Center, as well as the hopes and dreams of nearly 3,000 innocent people and their familes. Even so, the very city which fell victim to the deadliest act of terrorism on US soil has successfully facilitated the creation of New York City's first ever public, Arab school. The Khalil Gibran International Academy, funded by the NYC municipality, is set to open its doors in mid-September, 2007.

Although it opens in two weeks, controversy has already graced the halls of the Khalil Gibran school. Apparently, the original principal of the school, Debbie Almontaser (pictured) refused to condemn the word, "intifada", an arabic term for the armed uprisings against Israel that have resulted in numerous deaths of innocent men, women and children in Israel, at the hands of Arab terrorism.

Only time will tell as to the content of what is being taught in schools such as the Khalil Gibran International Academy, as well as the others that are sure to follow its lead. However, if the teachings observed in many of the "peace-loving" mosques across the United States are any indicator, we are truly, much like Europe, on the fast-track to irrelevance.