A Deadly Misunderstanding

Article

I’ll say this now, and I’ll say it again at the end, “This book is a must–read.” (Buy it online here.) A Deadly Misunderstanding is an aptly titled book that is both informative and inspiring. The book is informative by supplying the reader with scholarly research which demands a reconsideration of the typical stereotypes of Islam as portrayed in the media. The book is inspiring because it shows just how far–reaching our impact toward peace can take us, if we are willing to swallow our pride and learn the lesson of humility.

Perhaps you believe the following?

• Islam is a religion of violence
• The Qur’an preaches the destruction of all non–Muslims
• The Qur’an and Islam are of the devil, as godless as the great evil of communism
• Islam and Christianity are contradictory at their core
• Eastern Islamic and Western Judeo–Christian cultures are irretrievably opposed to one another
• The only solution is conversion of “them”

Mark D. Siljander was a congressman, a Christian, and necessarily a Muslim–hater…or so he thought. His book describes his transformation as he discovers the true teachings of Islam and Christianity. Initially, his understanding of Islam included the beliefs stated above. Through a series of paradigm “Crashes”, Siljander began to understand Islam in an entirely different light.

“I’ve heard this before,” you might be saying. “He’s just another self–hating Christian.” Hardly. He had his reasons to hate Muslims. His own experience caught in the crossfire between militants in Beirut, and Yasser Arafat putting a contract out on his life did not endear him to the Muslim people. During a National Prayer Breakfast a Muslim dignitary from Mideast addressed the guests with a reading from Qur’an, Siljander stormed out of the room…furious that an evil book of the devil should be read among a people of faith.

Paradigm Crash

Soon, Siljander received his first paradigm crash: The Bible nor Jesus teaches that people must convert to Christianity. He analyzes Matt 28:19, John 14:6, and Acts 3:19, among others, in his study. Soon, he would face a number of other challenges to his paradigm. He delves into Aramaic, the “Hidden language of the Bible” to demystify not only Islamic beliefs, but also his own understanding of the Bible.

Eventually walking out of a bookstore with a new Qur’an, Siljander felt unclean just touching the book! But to his shock, he found page after page of references to Jesus in the index!

Politically, Siljander soon began to discover how American foreign policy directly reflected the public attitude toward “other” people. One of his own colleagues in Washington, General Vernon Walters (US Representative), stated:

“We’re not here to make friends, we’re here to try to maintain a modicum of stability in the world. This isn’t summer camp; it’s global diplomacy. We don’t want to appear weak.”

Even President Richard Nixon told him:

“In the end, boys, it’s our interests that count. It’s never a matter of trust. Not reliability, morals, none of that—it’s whatever serves our interests, that’s what counts in the end.”

Disgusted, the author came to realize all governments use the same tactics:

• diplomatic
• political
• economic (carrots and sticks)
• military

But these methods never address the core issue…people. Human hearts.

Siljander would soon begin his own diplomacy…though not his own idea. He followed the example of Jesus in relating to infamous Muslim world leaders, telling them, “We’re here to build bridges of friendship around the ideas of Isa that are in your Qur’an and also in our holy book.” After a member of his team had prayer with Mubarak, President of Egypt, he was greeted by a hug! He visited the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara who had been battling for independence since 1966. Soon afterward they voluntarily stopped fighting. He met with al–Bashir of Sudan, and learned to love his enemies. Ten days after meeting secretly with Qaddafi’s foreign minister in Libya, the Lockerbie suspects were handed over for trial, and Libya would gradually take a more moderate stance.

Siljander learned that diplomacy must often work in an illogical way. Instead of broaching the subject of men who had been imprisoned under sharia law with General Musharraf in Pakistan, he only came to extend a hand of understanding. Musharraf himself had to bring up the subject. The men were later released.

Even Yasser Arafat, his own arch enemy would become a friend who sought Siljander’s advice on the Qur’an!

The book also includes his failures, such as a botched attempt to discuss Jesus with President Wahid of Indonesia. He makes clear that one cannot be divided in their intentions when discussing Jesus and the scriptures. It cannot be for any selfish purpose or political maneuvering. It must be discussed with no strings attached.

Not only does the book apply to Islam, but also to all religions of the world. After a member of Indian parliament explained his struggles with the challenge of such a diverse, disagreeable country, Siljander suggested he gather a forum around the ideas of Jesus. Jesus is universal. Jesus is the word of God. After this success, the Dalai Lama, considered by his followers to be so holy that to touch him or even look him in the eye is forbidden, gave him a bear hug!

Unfortunately our world does not abide by the principles laid out in this book, or those of Jesus. Christians often don’t even abide by the teachings of Jesus! Instead of seeking genuine dialogue and friendship with others, they focus on their own selfish preservation. Rather than humbly reaching out to militant Islam, the world defines Islam by the militant’s terms, and effectively gives voice to their claims!

Anyone who reads this book seeking true understanding will not be disappointed. Challenged, yes. But not disappointed.

Buy the book.

Also, the following two documents are taken from the Appendix of the book. One is a list of some linguistic similarities between Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic. The other is a listing of the references to Jesus in the Qur’an.

• Jesus in the Qur'an [pdf]
• Linguistic Similarities [pdf]