CHRISTIANS in Sydney will have their core beliefs challenged by provocative advertisements due to appear on billboards and buses in the next month. The ads, paid for by an Islamic group called MyPeace, will carry slogans such as ''Jesus: a prophet of Islam'', ''Holy Quran: the final testament'' and ''Muhammad: mercy to mankind''. A phone number urges people to call to receive a free Koran and other Islamic literature. The organiser of MyPeace, Diaa Mohamed, said the campaign was intended to educate non-Muslims about Islam. He said Jesus was a prophet of Islam, who was to come before Muhammad. ''The only difference is we say he was a prophet of God, and they say he is God,'' Mr Mohamed said. ''Is it thought-provoking? Yes, it is. We want to raise awareness that Islam believes in Jesus Christ,'' he said. Mr Mohamed said he hoped the billboards would encourage Christians and Muslims to find common ground. They were not intended to downgrade the significance of Jesus. ''We embrace him and say that he was one of the mightiest prophets of God." - Tut von Totes! from FFHound(roid)!

The Anglican Bishop of South Sydney, Rob Forsyth, said it was ''complete nonsense'' to say Jesus was a prophet of Islam. ''Jesus was not the prophet of a religion that came into being 600 years later.'' But the billboard was not offensive, he said. ''They've got a perfect right to say it, and I would defend their right to say it [but] … you couldn't run a Christian billboard in Saudi Arabia.'' The bishop said he would pay for billboards to counter those of MyPeace if he could afford it, and ''maybe the atheists should run their billboards as well''. - Tut von Totes! from FFHound(roid)!

"Mr Mohamed said he hoped the billboards would encourage Christians and Muslims to find common ground." I'm thinking this one is not a great idea, then: ''Holy Quran: the final testament'' - Eivind

Also, I'm so fucking sick of this non-argument: "… you couldn't run a Christian billboard in Saudi Arabia.'' - Eivind

Which has nothing to do with the punishments and freedoms of where this is being done. That is why it is a non-argument. It doesn't argue the case at hand. - Michael W. May

I know it''s a true statement. It's still a non-argument. "Saudia Arabia don't allow Christian propaganda so maybe [insert western country] shouldn't allow Islamic propaganda." - Eivind

I know. It just doesn't have anything to do with this case. - Eivind

i concur Henry. Haven't been around here for ages, but looks like things are still the same as they ever were... :) - Edward Zwart

indeed - Edward Zwart

Blah blah: A prophet of blah blah. - iTad

I like to see stuff like this because it sheds light on the incompatibility of it all. ...not only Islam with Christianity, but religion in general with, uh, reality! - Edward Zwart