New Orleans attacker says dreams told him to join Islamic State

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to resign as early as this morning. A major winter storm moved across multiple states over the weekend. The Golden Globes kicked off the awards season last night. The NFL playoffs are set after the Lions defeated the Vikings. Normally, any of these stories would be my focus for today’s Daily Article. I would much rather not write on the New Orleans terrorist attack again this morning. But that’s the nature of tragedy—it consumes us long after it strikes.

“100 percent inspired by ISIS”

President Biden will visit New Orleans today to “grieve with the families and community members impacted by the tragic attack” that occurred there New Year’s morning. Tributes are pouring in for the victims even as US agencies worry about copycat attacks in the coming days.

Amid fears of the Islamic State’s resurgence in Syria, many are calling for the terrorist group to be dismantled before it can inspire more terrorism in the US. Meanwhile, officials are studying the “secret radicalization” of Shamsud-Din Jabbar, the alleged New Orleans attacker. One stated that Jabbar was “100 percent inspired by ISIS.”

How was this former Army soldier radicalized? The Telegraph reports that Jabbar was “visited by IS in his dreams.” He apparently made a series of video recordings prior to the attack. In one, he said he had several dreams telling him to join the Islamic State.

That Jabbar would take such a drastic step on the basis of dreams should not surprise us. Muslims believe that the Prophet Muhammad received the Qur’an from the angel Gabriel through dreams and visions. They believe that Allah continues to guide his people in this way today (Qur’an 30:23).

Jabbar’s attack in New Orleans is consistent with a radicalized corruption of Islam claiming that America is part of an attack on the Muslim world and that Muslims are therefore required to attack Americans to defend Islam. This is not the view of the vast majority of Muslims, but it does motivate the Islamic State, al Qaeda, and other jihadist groups around the world.

When I read the Telegraph story on the religious motives behind the New Orleans atrocity, I imagined many people asking, Does religion do more harm than good in the world?

My dinner with imams in Bangladesh

It’s an understandable question. The conflict in the Middle East centers primarily on religion: Jews believe God gave them their land, while Muslims see the existence of the modern state of Israel as an attack on the Muslims who lived there previously and thus on Islam. Iran’s leaders are reportedly seeking nuclear weapons in the belief that using them to attack Israel would speed the return of the Mahdi, their messiah.

The Crusades were the most horrific chapter in Christian history, leading to the death of at least a million people. Clergy abuse scandals continue to make the news. Violence against others has long been a part of Buddhist and Hindu history as well.

So, does religion cause more harm than good?

Let’s begin with the fact that there is no such reality as “religion,” only particular religions, just as there is no such reality as “medicine,” only particular medicines. If I asked you if “medicine” does more harm than good, you would see the point.

So, we’re really asking about particular religions. And, of course, different people at different times can practice a particular religion in very different ways, just as doctors prescribe different medicines in different ways. Some commit atrocities against Americans in the name of Allah, but in my travels, I have experienced wonderful hospitality from Muslim hosts in the name of Allah. I will always remember a dinner with village imams in Bangladesh that could not have been more gracious, for example.

Religion contributes $1.2 trillion to the US economy

To focus our question more specifically on Christianity: While some have done horrible things in the name of our faith, they were adamantly not representing Christians or our Lord. Jesus clearly taught us to forgive and even love and pray for our enemies (Matthew 5:44), an example he set on the cross (Luke 23:34). Just as the crimes of one American do not represent all Americans, so the sins of one so-called Christian do not represent all Christians.

To the contrary: Christianity has clearly and emphatically done enormous practical good in our fallen world. For example, the acclaimed historian Tom Holland notes that the Christian themes of humility and inclusivity changed the Western world by inspiring benevolence and valuing individuals over the state.

In his book Jesus Skeptic: A Journalist Explores the Credibility and Impact of Christianity, John S. Dickerson shows that followers of Jesus created the university and college systems, advanced literacy through public education, founded modern science, began the fight for women’s rights, ended open slavery, drove racial reconciliation, and fought for justice and progress in a multitude of arenas.

Christian teachings led to the establishment of the first hospitals and influenced the development of modern medicine. Many of the best-ranked hospitals in the US were founded by Christians. And more than 90 percent of universities founded in the US prior to the Civil War were created by Christian denominations. According to the World Economic Forum, religion annually contributes $1.2 trillion dollars of socio-economic value to the US economy.

“The grace that invites all men to find Christ”

Of course, the most significant contribution Christianity makes is personal: changed people change the world.

When we walk with the living Lord Jesus each day, we are transformed by his Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) as we manifest his character (Romans 8:29). Then we love as he loved (1 John 4:19) and serve those in need as he serves us (Matthew 25:35–40).

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrating the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem to worship the Christ. We often think of the wise men and their journey and gifts, but Pope St. Leo the Great (c. 400–91) encouraged us to consider the star that guided them as well:

The star beckoned the three wise men out of their distant country and led them to recognize and adore the King of heaven and earth. The obedience of the star calls us to imitate its humble service: to be servants, as best we can, of the grace that invites all men to find Christ.

Who will find Jesus because of “the obedience of the star” in your life today?

NOTE: For more on the veracity and credibility of biblical faith, see my new website article, “Surgeon General warns of link between alcohol and cancer: What do we do when science seems to contradict Scripture?”

Monday news to know:

• Jimmy Carter’s final trip begins with procession through rural Georgia
• Biden awards Medal of Freedom to Hillary Clinton, George Soros and others
• What to expect at CES 2025
• US plans $8 billion sale of arms, including bombs, to Israel
• On this day in 2021: US Capitol riot

*Denison Forum does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in these stories.

Quote for the day:

“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.” —Helen Keller