StudyGrowKnow

Nat Geo’s “Hard Time” and the Muslim Brotherhood

August 2, 2011 at 9:09 PM 5 comments

Was watching a very interesting show this afternoon with my son called, “Hard Time.”  What made it interesting is due to the subject matter and the location of the prisons that were the location for the episode.  Both prisons showcased were in Georgia.

What was even more interesting was the fact that the male prison highlighted the growing society of Muslims behind bars.  We know that Rep. Peter King has been overseeing panels that are investigating, among other things, the incidence of average black prisoners being converted to Islam.  The concern of course, is that this is becoming a widespread problem, especially when considering the teachings that are espoused by Imams, who are prisoners themselves.

In this particular case, the one Imam had charge over an increasing number of prisoners who wanted to break with their past and to do so meant embracing something else.  While most prisoners will find a gang to which they attach themselves, the ones who are looking for something different, yet seem to still want that close-knit affiliation with a group that provides meaning, will come to the Imam to learn about being Muslim.

I’m not sure if it was accidental, or simply the narrator using a phrase that describes this particular Muslim group as “brothers,” but at one point, the narrator referred to the group as “the Muslim Brotherhood.”  It was also very interesting – and frankly, I’m surprised the Imam allowed the cameras on this – to see how the Imam and his top aides deal with problems within the ranks of Muslims in his fold.  At one point, they gathered in their circle in order to deal with a problem in which one of their own attacked another Muslim.

The Imam was very pointed in his desire that this Muslim offender be “dealt with” so that a message would be relayed throughout the prison that no one (not even another Muslim) strikes a Muslim and it passes without some type of disciplinary reprisal.  The Imam did not say anything about violence or that someone should get physical with this offender, but it seemed clear to me – from the looks on the faces of those who were commissioned to deal with it – that they meant business and would deal with it.

Interestingly enough, this Imam was also contradictory at times.  He stated quite clearly that he didn’t expect the Muslims in his group (under his care and teaching) to be patsies for anyone or to “turn the other cheek; that they might have to get physical so that they are not taken an advantage of, yet later he seemed to suggest that walking away from violence was the best response.

As far as the prison officials, at first they did not know what to make of this “Muslim Brotherhood,” because Islam is classified as a religion, yet within the ranks of the Muslims, there were certainly clear aspects of gang mentality that existed.

This was also evident during the time when they had to bring the one offending Muslim before them to determine why he had acted as he had (by hitting another Muslim and stealing his cell phone).  One Muslims – not the Imam – was heard to ask the offender if he wanted to be Muslim?  He asked him twice and the offender nodded his head both times, “yes.”

The Muslim asking the question then pointedly told the man if he wanted to be “in the fold,” he was expected to act a certain way.  If he could not act that way, he could leave.  If he left, he would be treated as an enemy.  Then he quickly added something like, “I wouldn’t treat you like that because of me personally, but because of the Qur’an and Allah, you get me,” and it was not a question.

It is interesting to note that prisoners are not allowed to have cell phones, yet in this particular prison, cell phones seemed to abound and even Muslims had them.  One creative individual had a very large hardbound Qur’an and had removed part of the binding, cut out a hole to which his cell phone fit perfectly.  When the Qur’an was closed or open, you would not know it was there, but somehow it had been discovered by prison officials.

When questioning the Imam about it, he guaranteed that his men were fine.  This same Imam later indicated that when he saw that prison officials were starting to look at his group of Muslims as a gang, it “infuriated” him.  At the same time, he admitted that it’s necessary.

The plain fact of the matter is that if the Muslims in prison are involved in the same things that regular inmates are involved in – stealing, selling things, and doing many other things – then they are no better than the individuals in the prison who are involved in actual gangs.

The Muslim Brotherhood certainly seems to be alive and well behind bars.  They pray, they meditate and they read the Qur’an.  But what are they reading?  Moreover, how did the Imam in this prison become an Imam?  He’s in prison for life as many of those within his group are as well.  What type of training is required to become an Imam?

There is no clearcut answer to that question regarding how to become in Imam.  Normally, it seems that these men are trained in Sharia law and customs of their culture.  They are generally looked up to by the other members of the community.

In the case of the Imam in prison, it is very likely that he essentially pronounced himself an Imam or received the blessing from someone within the Islamic community outside the prison walls.  Imam’s are supposed to explain the Qur’an because Westerners are repeatedly told that it is impossible to understand it by simply reading through it.  A person must be completely immersed in the Muslim culture and even then, it takes years to become well-versed in the true meaning of the Qur’an.

Okay, whatever.  The reality is that there are at least two main sects, if not three, with Islam.  I would hasten to say that those prisoners who convert to Islam are taught to think and act as Muhammad did.  Even a cursory reading of the Qur’an indicates a great deal of violent thought and tendencies toward non-Muslims, especially Jews.  I’m sure you’re familiar with those parts of the Qur’an, which are not anomalies or exceptions to the rule.  They are the foundation upon which Islam seems to be built.

What struck me as I watched the documentary is that there was absolutely nothing loving about these men at all.  They lived for their “gang” called Islam.  You were either part of them,or you were their enemy.

In Christianity, you are either part of it or you are God’s enemy.  He prefers that you become part of Christianity, receiving the salvation that He offers.  Those who do not remain His enemy.  However, this does not give me the right to treat those individuals as if they were my enemy.  God will deal with things and He will carry out His judgments as He chooses to do so.  My job is to present the gospel to people and not to take their attacks personally (which can be admittedly difficult at times).  Certainly, God does not expect me to carry out any sort of retribution that He has set aside specifically for Himself to carry out.

It looks like the Muslim Brotherhood is indeed alive and well in our prison systems and prison officials are having a difficult time determining whether these individuals are nothing more than a run of the mill gang behind prison walls or whether they are truly a religion.  The plain fact of the matter is that with respect to Islam, it seems to exist because of a gang mentality and that gang mentality brings it to the lowest common denominator.

While you hear Muslims say that Islam is a religion of peace, the plain fact of the matter is that this does not seem to be true for the bulk of those within Islam.  I would challenge those reading this to do their own research.  Search for videos that show what living within an Islamic society is all about.  Go behind the veil that Iran has placed up in order to see how the average individual is treated within this Islamic regime.  It’s not pretty.

It’s too easy for moderate Muslims to say that these are exceptions to the rule.  Unfortunately then, these tend to be extremely large exceptions because they exist in much of the Middle East, The Netherlands, Great Britain, and they are on the increase not only in the places just mentioned but in other areas like Bulgaria.

France has wisely passed a law that prohibits the full-face burka.  Other countries may follow with similar standards.  The United State will probably be the last one to go that route because our liberal leaders are way too concerned about being politically correct, except of course when it comes to Christians and Tea Party folks.  When you hear Sen. John McCain referring to those of us who are tired of paying higher taxes as “Hobbits,” then something is wrong.

Sometimes, people are simply blind.  I read a letter to the editor yesterday in which one individual extolled the virtues of having Mr. Obama as president.  The writer indicated that when Mr. Obama became our elected president, he was able to pull this country back from the precipice in which it was teetering, due to Bush’s presidency.

It boggles my mind that people can be so blind.  Never mind that both the House and the Senate were controlled by Democrats.  Never mind that no sooner had Mr. Obama taken office than he was trying to figure out how to pass Obamacare.  Never mind that he took 500 BILLION dollars from Medicare and put it toward Obamacare.  Never mind that he has spent money hand over fist since his inauguration.

These same individuals believe that if only our government would tax the rich more than they do.  That would solve nothing.  We would see less jobs being created than exist now.  The rich would find a way to not pay anything more.  What our government needs to do is simply stop spending money.

People can blame Bush for this war or that, as if 9/11 had nothing to do with any of it.  I suppose for these people, America should not have acted to defend herself in the wake of 9/11?

None of this matters to people who firmly believe that George W. Bush was the worst president this country has ever had.  The only thing that matters is that there are people who firmly believe that “all we need is love” and if we will “just give peace a chance,” then all will be well with the world.  You know, that kind of pabulum is perfect for babies, but mature adults think differently because we know that without Christ ushering in that peace, it’s all a pipe dream.  We know that humanity on its best day will never gain world peace.  It will never happen.  The bad guy is always with us, until Jesus rids the earth of him and his influence.  Satan is his name and destruction is his game.  Until he is vanquished, he will always find someone to work through.

Last night, at about 11pm, I heard what I thought were four shots from a gun.  Because I go to the target range somewhat often, I’m used to hearing guns, so I guess when I heard it in the back of my mind, nothing jumped out at me.  It was not until I began to hear more sirens than I can count that I realized something had happened.

My son and I were only able to find out bits and pieces of it last night.  This morning, we learned that less than a half a mile away (we live in the suburbs), a Sheriff Deputy had spotted a car in a Walgreen’s parking lot.  The man was sitting in the driver’s seat, parked with the radio blaring.  The deputy pulled up to determine what – if anything – was going on and as the deputy approached the vehicle, he saw a gun sitting on the passenger seat.  He ordered the man to put his hands up, but instead the man grabbed the gun.  The deputy had no choice but to open fire.  The man died a short time later in the hospital.

Earlier that day, a bank in Sacramento was robbed and a few hours later, a bank not far from us was robbed.  For all the deputy knew, this could have been the man, or because he had a gun, maybe he was planning on robbing someone when they exited the drug store (closed, but nearby with employees finishing up).  Evil abounds.  People like this are not interested in peace in the world.  While they might think it’s a great idea for us, the only thing peace does is give them the chance to do what they do with fewer problems.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again.  The world is seemingly spinning out of control.  Note I said “seemingly.”  It is not going out of control.  It merely appears to be the case.  God has all things under control and the closer we stay to Him, the more peace we will experience in spite of the tornado raging all around us.

Entry filed under: 9/11, alienology, Atheism and religion, Communism, Demonic, dispensationalism, Eastern Mysticism, emergent church, Gun Control, Islam, Islamofascism, israel, Judaism, Life in America, Maitreya, new age movement, Posttribulational Rapture, Pretribulational Rapture, Radical Islam, rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, Satanism, second coming, Sharia Law, Socialism, temple mount, ufology. Tags: muslim brotherhood in prison, muslim brotherhood is a gang of thugs, muslims in prison.