Nation of Islam

Founder:Wallace Dodd Ford (aka.Wali Farad, Master Fard)
Beginning:1930
Membership:100,000+

Having so carefully avoided the area of what they precisely believe in, the Nation of Islam is fast becoming one the most popular religious groups in the black community in America today. Headed by Louis Farrakahn, the Nation of Islam is actually an offshoot of an offshoot. Wallace Dodd Ford, who's birthdate and location of birth is unknown, influenced by black self-improvement movements in the depression era, combined a mixture of teachings together. The most influential were the "Moorish Science Temple of America", and the "Universal Negro Improvement Association". The former founded in 1913 by Timothy Drew, and the latter in 1914 by Marcus Garvey. These organizations were essentially formed as a mouthpiece for the woes of the black community. Being in a oppressed situation, anyone with a message of improving the community would no doubt receive at least a minimal hearing. Dodd, upon his release from California's San Quentin prison in 1929 for peddling heroine, he went to Detroit and used this combination of teachings and gained a large following . And in 1930, he formed the Nation of Islam. One of his most devoted followers was a Georgia native named Elijah Poole.

Poole, who was later named Elijah Muhammad, assumed leadership in 1934 after Ford mysteriously dissapeared. Under Elijah's leadership the Nation soon grew to larger numbers. Elijah added more teachings to the already mixture of teachings that Ford had concocted. By now it was a mixture of Black self-improvement, Islam, Christianity, and Freemasonry. In 1947, Malcolm Little was converted to the Nation in prison at Concord, Massachusetts. Later to become Malcolm X, Malcolm caused the Nation to grow by leaps and bounds. Being appointed the chief spokesman for the Nation by Elijah, the numbers grew to approximately 300,000. Malcolm was shot at the Audobon Ballroom in Harlem, New York on Feb. 21, 1965. There were rumors that it was the Nation that perpetrated his death. After Elijah's death in 1975, his son Wallace Deen Muhammad took over, who attempted to steer the organization towards more authentic Islamic teachings. There were dissensions however, and the most influential is the Nation of Islam headed by Louis Farrakahn, who was himself recruited by X in Harlem and sat under X's teaching for nine months before being appointed the minister of the mosque in Boston. With Deen Muhammad changing the name to "American Muslim Mission", Farrakahn upon his breakaway assumed the name "Nation of Islam", and attempted to adhere to some of Elijah's original teachings. The Nation of Islam under Farrakahn's leadership has so carefully avoided the area of their beliefs, that a significant number of black Christians in America have begun to openly support Farrakahn's veiws, allow him to speak in their churches, and enthusiastically embraced the "Million Man March" which was thrown by Farrakahn on October 16, 1995. So-called Christian ministers such as Jesse Jackson, and Ben Chavis attended this event.

Many black christians say that they can agree and stand with Farrakahn in his social goals but not with his religous goals. I say it can't be done, because you can't have one without the other. For Farrakahn has based all of his social goals on his religous goals; the two can't be seperated. If you agree with him for black businesses and get involved with him, eventually he will lead you to the worship of Allah. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"Hosea3:3 "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:"IICor6:14 And we as christians know that Allah is a false, idol and pagan god, that is no match to the Lord Jesus Christ. "to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." I Cor.8:6

What exactly is it that the Nation of Islam teaches???

Nation of Islam	The Bible
1.)The Nation of Islam teaches that black people are superior to white people. "Furthermore, we believe we are the people of God's choice, as it has been written, that God would choose the rejected and the despised." (from their website www.noi.org\program.html)	1.)The Bible teaches that all men are created equal, and are of equal value to God. Acts 17:26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth... Colossians 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
2.)The Nation of Islam teaches that Elijah Muhammad is on a spaceship in outer space, waiting to come back and deliver the blacks from under the oppresion of the white man. (The Washington Post, Sept. 18, 1995, p. D3).	2.)The Bible teaches that Jesus is the One who will come back and establish peace on earth. Acts 1:10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
3.) The Nation of Islam teaches that Jesus was not the Christ (God in flesh); but that Wallace Dodd Ford was God, and that Elijah Muhammad is the Messiah. "Christ was only a mortal man and a prophet, not God." "He [Jesus] was nothing more than a prophet…" Muhammad, Elijah, Our Savior Has Arrived, (Newport News, VA: United Brothers Communications Systems, n.d.) p. 195 "Allah came to us from the Holy City of Mecca, Arabia, in 1930. He used the name Wallace D. Fard, often signing it W. D. Fard.... He came alone." Muhammad, Elijah, Message to the Blackman in America, (Chicago: The Final Call, Inc., 1965) p. 6. "WE BELIEVE that Allah (God) appeared in the Person of Master W. Fard Muhammad, July, 1930; the long-awaited "Messiah" of the Christians and the "Mahdi" of the Muslims." (from their website www.noi.org\program.html)	3.)The Bible teaches that Jesus was God in flesh, and that if anyone claimed that He was not the Christ, this one is a deceiver and an antichrist. I Tim.3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, I Jn.2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. I Jn.4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
4.)The Nation of Islam teaches that the Bible has been tampered with, therefore it has mistakes and errors in it, and it is not to be believed wholly. "WE BELIEVE in the truth of the Bible, but we believe that it has been tampered with and must be reinterpreted so that mankind will not be snared by the falsehoods that have been added to it." (from their website www.noi.org\program.html)	4.)The Bible teaches that it itself is the inerrant, infallible, and God-inspired Word to mankind. II Tim.3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: Isaiah 8:20 ...if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.