Unleashing the Beast

T HE M AHDI , I SLAM ' S M ESSIAH / 91

and do not embrace the true faith, until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued (9.29). Many Muslims point out that in the 11th century, Christians from England began the Crusades to free the Middle East and Palestine from the Muslims. The Crusades were a bloody time of war and many innocent people died; yet, the Crusades do not represent the teaching of Jesus Christ and the revelation of the New Testament. Jesus taught a Gospel of peace and love. He even said to love your enemies: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matthew 5:44). But l say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also (Luke 6:27-29). During recent years, fanatical Muslims have set out to murder non-Muslims, especially Christians, throughout the world. When one considers the evidence, it becomes hard for a rational person to accept the idea that Islam is a "religion of peace." It is easy to see how Muslims could apply the words from the Koran in a literal fashion and