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Schools

Josh McDowell to Local Christians: Love Thy Muslim Neighbor

The internationally known author says Muslims are nothing like how they're portrayed on the internet and in the media.

Internationally known Christian author Josh McDowell spoke in San Juan Capistrano Thursday, urging Christians to love their neighbors, with their neighbors specifically being Muslims.

His son, Sean McDowell, is the head of the high school Bible department at . Every year, he plans trips to give the students a chance to defend their faith. Last year they went to UC Berkeley to debate student atheists, the son said while introducing his father.

This year, they plan to visit mosques in Los Angeles.

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Josh McDowell asked a packed audience to purchase one of his books, including The Witness, a novel about a Muslim falsely accused of terrorism. Proceeds will go toward the students' trip to LA.

The message he wants the Orange County students to deliver to the Muslim students in L.A? "Love 'em like anyone else, like your neighbor."

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That’s because Muslims are our neighbors, McDowell said. Although there are several sets of statistics floating around, there’s somewhere between 7-8 million Muslims in the U.S.

McDowell calls Muslims "truth-seekers." He says he takes some heat for that, but that's how he sees them. "They’re not seeking Christianity. They’re seeking the truth."

For several years now, McDowell has been making trips to the Middle East to sell Christian books at Muslim book fairs. Believe it or not, they will line up for a Christian book, and even treasure it, especially if it is autographed personally for them, he said.

Since 2009, he’s also been making regular appearances at the Arab International Festival in Dearborn, Mich., the home of the largest Arab population outside of the Mid-East. McDowell said the festival attracts 250,000 visitors, and it’s not at all as it's portrayed on the internet.

"There's not one argument. There’s not one person who raised their voice. Almost every individual that came through thanked you," McDowell said. Some would read one of his books the first night, only to return to give thanks and ask for another.

"You remember this, young people," he said, speaking directly to the Capistrano Valley Christian students in the audience. "It's your attitude that sets the pace."

When asked if Muslims believe he and other non-Muslims truly are the infidel, McDowell acknowledged that was true.

"It is what they believe. The best way to counteract that mindset is to love them, to be patient, to listen to them," he said. He found that if he asked Muslims about their spiritual journey in life and really listened, they would do the likewise when he described his faith.

McDowell also urged the students to have a three-minute version of their testimony perfected, so that they could share with others.  Instead of using the term "Christian," he finds he’s better received when he describes himself as a "follower of Jesus."

While other Christians may try to convince Muslims that the Koran is wrong, McDowell said he has never taken that approach. "I'm pro-Jesus. I see a lot more people come to Christ by being positive."

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