Look at the original

If you want to know what it means to be a real Christian, you don't look at the Catholic crusaders, or Martin Luther and the Reformers, or Oral Roberts or Billy Graham. You look at the original Christians: the ones who came along immediately after Jesus. Fortunately we can do that by reading the Book of Acts in the New Testament. Likewise, if you want to know what it means to be a real Muslim, you don't look at the typical modern Muslims, such as Karem Abdul Jabbar, Yusuf Islam (aka Cat Stevens), or even Louis Farrakhan. No, you look at the original Muslims: the ones who came along immediately after Muhammad. Fortunately this is also easy to do.

Having read extensively about the early Christian era and the early Islamic era, it is interesting to note the differences. I challenge anyone to read about the life of Peter and compare it to the life of Abu Bakr, the first successor to Muhammad. It is also interesting to note that the vast majority of Christians today consider those who attempt to live out authentic Christianity after the model of the original Christians to be fanatics and Jesus freaks. Admittedly, when compared to today's limp-wristed Christianity, the original does look rather excessive. But which is the real thing? Likewise, the majority of modern Muslims look with disbain at those who are attempting to follow the model of the original Muslims. But for anyone who cares to look at the original, it is obvious that ISIS is far closer to the original than Congressman Keith Ellison. I wonder which is the real thing?