If you want to check the veracity of an email, DON"T USE SNOPES. They are biased and sometimes not forthright. I use http://truthorfiction.com. This is a true story and the author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry.
http://www.charityadvantage.com/missiongateministry/AllahorJesus.asp HF

Does Allah bless or condemn those who have called a holy jihad against America and Israel?

Clearly, not all Muslims are called to kill all infidels but I challenge those who are not, to speak up and denounce those who are. This article was written to the radical Muslims who consider America the Great Satan.

The biggest "I love you" an evangelical like myself is capable of is the following question!

I said to a Muslim:

“Would you rather have an Allah who says to kill me to go to heaven, Or a Jesus who says for me to love you because I am going to heaven, And He would like you to be with me?”

                                                                                     Allah or Jesus

I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers who represented the Roman Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths who explained their belief systems. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say.

The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam complete with a video. After the presentations time was provided for questions and answers. When it was my turn I directed my question to the Imam and asked: “Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that many of the Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the infidels of the world. And, that by killing an infidel, which is a command to all Muslims, they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?"

There was no disagreement with my statements and without hesitation he replied, "Non-believers!"

I responded, “So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can go to heaven. Is that correct?”

The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, “Yes.”

I then said, “Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope Gregory commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Pat Robertson or Dr. Stanley ordering Protestants to do the same in order to go to heaven.”

The Imam was speechless.

I continued, “I also have problem with being your friend when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me. Let me ask you a question…would you rather have your Allah who tell you to kill me in order to go to heaven or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and wants you to be with me?”

You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head in shame.

Chuck Colson once told me something that has sustained me these 20 years of prison ministry. He said to me, “Rick, remember that the truth will prevail.”

And it will!

                                                                                     Snopes Rebuttal

Greetings in the Spirit of our Lord!

This article is an exact reporting of a real event I participated in.

Regarding the snopes "false" report:

1. Mr. Kniest was not at the training session to know what did or did not occur. And what would you expect him to say for fear of Muslim retribution.

2. The official that said this conversation did not happen remains "unnamed" and why doesn't someone ask the dozen or so volunteers about it. They heard every word.

3. The inmate was introduced as the Muslim Imam that was chosen by the fellow Muslims to lead them and chosen by the Department of Corrections to teach us. We had no reason to question it because there are Priests and Ministers in prison that do the same.

4. I prefaced my remarks with, "Please correct me if I am wrong," and he didn't.

5. When I said, "It is real hard to be your friend," everyone burst out laughing.

6. We felt sorry for him and I gave him a hand sign and said, "Salaam" and he did the same back to me with a smile.

I asked questions and recorded the answers or lack thereof. Socrates did the same but I am not into drinking hemlock. The false report issued by snopes does not question my reporting. They base their "false" designation on the premise that I am saying that all Muslims are to kill all infidels which was not the case and was not the subject of this article. The real issue was my question:

"Would you rather have an Allah who says to kill me to go to heaven or a Jesus who says for me to love you because I am going to heaven and He would like you to be with me? "

Isn't it interesting that NO ONE has commented on the issue. They would rather discredit the messenger (me) and ignore the message.

NOTE: The prisoner Imam was either ignorant of his faith, intimidated by my directness or agreed with my asking if all Muslims were called to kill infidels. I clearly was refering to the jihadists when I asked. He didn't reply and so I went to the issue of what I had intended. I wanted to give at least this Muslim a chance to choose Jesus. This is the biggest "I love you" I can any extend to any Muslim that may read or hear about this article. AMEN!

                                                                                     Update 8-15-08

Dear Faithful Readers,

I would like to take this time to bring you up to date on the response of this article and the criticisms I have been receiving. Virtually all the critics are attacking the statement the "all Muslims are called to kill infidels." This is not true of course and I didn't make that statement, I invited the Imam to correct it which he didn't for whatever reasons you might suspect. I asked real questions that millions of us "infidels" would like to have asked a Muslim Imam.

It is not unusual for a Priest, Minister or Imam to be a prisoner and in charge of an inmate service. The Muslims of this prison selected this inmate to be their Imam and the Department of Corrections chose him to be the Imam that explained their faith to us. We had no reason to question his credentials. Nor do I now.

Almost every critic attacks the messenger "me" and does't touch the message. The message is:

"Would you rather have an Allah who says to kill me to go to heaven or a Jesus who says for me to love you because I am going to heaven and He would like you to be with me? "

This is the biggest I LOVE YOU I am capable of extending to my Muslims cousins. This is not a hate article. It is one extended in love with the sword of the Word rather that the sword of cresent.

Please email me your comments.

Press On! Rick Mathes

PS My real problem is with the "Silent American Muslims." Where are they? When will the Muslim Tabernacle Choir sing "God Bless America" and say the "Pledge of Allegiance (under God)" like any red-blooded American would be proud to sing and say? I call it a "Simmering Volcano."