Are prisons becoming a recruiting area for terrorists? This is a question I ask and answer in my new book, A Biblical Point of View on Islam. There are some disturbing trends that many are beginning to notice.
For example, a number of national security experts say that the radicalization and recruitment of terrorists in US prisons present a threat of “unknown magnitude.” Often these prisons have been fertile breeding grounds for radical thought. They say: “Radical Islamists have been more active in European prisons, but there have been a handful of documented cases of Islamist radicalization in US prisons.”
Chuck Colson puts it this way: “I don’t usually make predictions, but here’s one I’ll venture: If, God forbid, an attack by home-grown Islamist radicals occurs on American soil, many, if not most, of the perpetrators will have converted to Islam while in prison.”
A recent study by researchers from GeorgeWashingtonUniversity and the University of Virginia, titled “Out of the Shadows,” concluded that the United States is at risk of the same sort of homegrown terrorism that is currently plaguing other countries. These terrorists will come from prisons which “are a potential pool of recruits by terrorist groups.” The sources of radicalization are incarcerated Islamic extremists and outside organizations that support them.”Much of this material is provided by known al-Qaeda affiliates that urge Muslim prisoners “to wage war against non-Muslims who have not submitted to Islamic rule.”
So what can we do? First educate yourself on the issue by reading books like mine or others concerned about this trend. Second, support Christian ministries in the prisons that present the truth of the gospel and provide a necessary antidote to Islamic radicalism in the prisons. I’m Kerby Anderson, and that my point of view.
Disclaimer: Worldview Weekend, Christian Worldview Network and its columnists do not necessarily endorse or agree with every opinion expressed in every article posted on this site. We do however, encourage a healthy and friendly debate on the issues of our day. Whether you agree or disagree, we encourage you to post your feedback by using the feedback button.
The articles asks the question: "Are prisons becoming a recruiting area for terrorists?" Prisons are a place where genuine "terrorists" are put when they are caught for violating the law. I would be interested in knowing just what percentage of U.S. inmates are professing Islam when they get to prison. It seems the Christian community sure is quick to blame Islam for so much of what ails this country. Maybe some in house analysis would produce some remedies, instead of trying to always pin the tail on Islam and Muslims. The rehabilitation rate for prisoners in very poor, and yes, I suspect it is because of who they get to hang out with day in and day out while in prison. But so much of that poor rehabilitation has to do the U.S. justice system in general...much less to do with whether or not Christianity or Islam is preached in the prisons. However, that is a story by itself, which perhaps Christians will understand when they are on the inside of those prisons. George Cancilla Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/24/07 04:18:13 PM
Age 21, FL
Interesting article, and definitely something we need to learn more about. However, I feel the need to express my point of view on the way people label muslims. Many people label muslim terrorists or muslims that actually die in jihad as "radical" or "extreme". From what I've studied, they're simply true conservative muslims who are following the quaran and hadith...which teach that the only surefire way to guarantee you will go to heaven is to die in jihad. I feel like words like radical and extreme give the impression that Islam is a peaceful religion that doesn't endorse martyrdom, and that these are simply muslims who are "extreme" and dont follow true Islam. Of course there are obviously "good" things Islam teaches, but overall it is not a peaceful religion for those that truly study the quaran and hadith. It calls for submission, conversion by violence, death, etc.. Anyways, thats just my opinion from what I've studied. Let us all continue to study and gain wisdom about other religions and people, while continually praying for them, and showing the love of Christ to them :) Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/21/07 11:27:43 PM
Age 75, MEXICO
This situation has arisen because we do not have enough resources and opportunities for real Christian witness and teaching in the prison system. Not enough care is taken to isolate radical Islamists who spread their poison message freely.
Instead of spending time watching TV or associating with those who would corrupt and lead into further crime, the whole time in prison should be spent in good education, learning useful skills to help them work and teaching about morality and Christian values. It is because prisoners did not have this, in their earlier life that they end up in prison. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/21/07 09:09:05 PM
Age 72, GA
I agree that there is a desperate need for the gospel to be preached in American prisons. But to which gospel does Mr. Anderson refer? He quotes Chuck Colson, yet Colson states that "Catholics are our brothers and sisters in Christ" (ECT). (Colson's statement would never have been accepted by the true body of Christ before the 1950's - before the age of religious pluralism, e.g., see Spurgeon, Ironside, and others who constantly warned about the lostness of Catholicism.) The operating head of "Prison Fellowship Ministries" and most of the workers in that ministry are Roman Catholic, and it is Catholicism that they will offer the prisoners! There are those who will accuse me of diatribes, hate speech and Catholic bashing. I do not hate Catholics. I am concerned for the one billion souls trapped in the false religion of Catholicism. Is the following a diatribe, hate speech or Catholic bashing: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." Gal 1:8-9. Those are the words of the Holy Spirit, condemning anyone who adds works of ANY kind to the simple gospel, for they have produced "another" gospel, i.e., a false gospel. Catholicism may accept some of the tenets of the Westminster Confession, but it denies that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in the finished work of Christ alone. (You doubt this? Then explain: infant baptism as a means of the "beginning process" of salvation, the Mass, auricular confession, "the prayers and good works of the saints," venial and mortal sins, prayers to Mary, purgatory, etc.) A careful reading of the Catechism of the Catholic Church will confirm that it teaches a gospel of "grace" plus works (and please read the CCC before you accuse me of misinformation). How will it help those in our prisons who are lost in the false religion of Islam, if they escape Islam, only to be captured by another false religion? How will this help America? The born-again believers in America need to stop listening to their self-appointed leaders, and instead muster up the courage to stand and say that only the pure, simple gospel will save souls – that adding anything to the gospel will condemn. THIS is the message that should be taken to American prisons. The born-again believers in America desperately need to study this issue, repent of their religious pluralism, renounce false religions, and return to the simple principles of the apostolic scriptures. Perhaps then God will have mercy upon us, and spare America from further judgment. Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/21/07 03:01:04 PM
Age 66, NH
I agree completely with what Chuck Colson has said here.
What better a place to recruit from? It is the intention of the radical Muslim to make their religion the strongest on earth. In prison we have a very large group of young men who are bitter and vehemently angry over being there. Many of them have come from a history of abuse, neglect, drugs, living in squalor and they hunger for being important.
Islam tells these men that they are important to Allah. They will be martyrs and have paradise to look forward to when they take out, kill the infidels. Many of them have little else to look forward to and why not die doing what is right for Allah. They hate enough already even themselves.
Not all who believe in Allah are like this but the ones who think as the radical Islam Muslim have found a fertile ground.
If we Christians were doing as we should be doing this would not be so easy. Where is our love? Where is our telling of the Good News? Where are we? Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/21/07 10:30:40 AM
Age 61, DE
I totally agree with your article. My cousin was a prison guard, and just retired, and the stories he would tell you about the black muslims in the prison would make your hair stand on end. They are in the full fledge recruiting mode in the prison. They are the population that is most feared, because they will kill a white guard in a flash. They are the ones that take the state to court...costing us thousands....because a piece of pork is served, or they are not given special treatment. YES!!! the prisons are a huge recruiting grounds for the muslims. Their hearts are full of hate for any one that is not a muslim, be they black or white. Click here to reply to this post
YOU DID NOT MENTION # 1
Posted On: 11/21/07 09:34:11 AM
Age 64, OH
Kirby, thanks for the article but you did not mention the most important thing for us to do. I think this is far more important than us reading your book. If we do this one thing it will solve the problem even though your book would not be read. If every single person on this earth would read your book but no one would do this one thing then the problem WOULD NOT BE SOLVED. Here is the one thing that will solve the problem you talk about. God can be depended on but man can not be depended on. - 13 "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES and pray and seek my face and TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chron 7)- If the Christians in this land will but do this one thing then God will heal our land. If they will not humble themselves then our land WILL BE DESTROYED. I am confessing my wickedness to God and repenting of it every day. Are you asking God to show you your wickedness or do you think you have no wickedness. --1 John 1:8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. Lou Click here to reply to this post
Re: Islam in the Prisons
Posted On: 11/21/07 06:37:40 AM
Age 50, PA
I hadn't given much thought about what goes on behind bars. But, I'm not surprised. America is in a fight for her life. She either has no real clue of the threat to our freedoms or she doesn't care. America may very well find out how much trouble we are in. But it may then be too late. Click here to reply to this post
