All faiths are not the same.

All religions are not the same.

The creeds that guide us do not teach the same thing.

You see that especially when you look at how various faiths treat/view women.

Today is the last "farsighted" look at the plight of Christians around the world. And today I wanted to look specifically at the treatment of women in a world outside of Jesus Christ and His church.

Sabatina James, who grew up in a devout Muslim family, has been on the run ever since she gave her life to Christ. And though in her heart, she is free in Christ-free from the chains of Islam-she remains on the run for her life.

But it is worth it, because she knows the difference that Christ brings to women. She notes, "It is written [in the Quran to beat your wife]. It's not a misinterpretation. You can only interpret where to beat her and when to beat her."

Sabatina learned the Quran beginning at the age of 10 in her native country of Pakistan. She had to memorize the teaching of Mohammad as recorded in the Quran. Verses like Surah 4:34 that states, "As to those women on whose part you fear disloyalty and ill conduct, admonish them first, next refuse to share their beds and lastly beat them lightly."

Of course, not all Muslim men beat their wives. But that doesn't negate the negative teaching and thoughts regarding women. Amani Mustafa, a former Muslim who grew up in Egypt describes other Quran teaching about women:

• "Muhammad says that women are deficient in mind and spirt."
• "In some parts of the Quran Mohammad portrays women as being more evil than the devil."

In Decision, Graham's magazine offers, "According to the Quran, women don't have the same ability as men to know right from wrong, and some men push this to say that women are responsible for all wrongs. [Some facets of Islam] view women as a tool for sexual pleasure and that's why women have to be covered. If a man lusts after a woman, it's her fault."

In one shocking account the article describes the plight of one girl was raped by her cousin from age 9 to age 15. It was only discovered when she had to go to the hospital because of her injuries. Once discovered punishment was enforced according to Islamic law.

• The man received 30 lashes.
• The girl was put in a home for a year. She was forbidden from getting an education and she was lashed 15 times.

The article goes on to write, "For many women, their greatest fear is of Allah himself. A woman has to do so much to please her father, her husband, her mother, her in-laws, and then she comes to the end and only Allah will decide if she can get into Heaven or not."

This fear is a direct result of Muhammad's teaching when he said he looked into hell itself and saw that most of its inhabitants were women.

I repeat:

All faiths are not the same.

All religions are not the same.

The creeds that guide us do not teach the same thing.

Jesus was so different.

Jesus was so tender toward women. Remember how he allowed Mary to "sit at his feet"? That was unheard of in that world. It was the seat of a disciple. It was a place reserved only for men. But Jesus showed his compassion and love for all people as he invited Mary to sit at his feet. Remember the empty tomb? Who were the first evangelists declaring the good news that "He is Risen"? The women were the first. I always smile when I think about that, because in that world, women would not be allowed as witnesses in a court of law. But that's just like God. The gospel writers tell us there were women who personally financed Jesus ministry, providing for his needs. And remember what happened at Pentecost? Peter, quoted the prophet of Joel declared ...

'In the last days,' God says,
    'I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.

Taking their cue from Jesus himself, women were leaders in the early church. It seems very likely that the church in Jerusalem met in the home of the mother of John Mark . Paul had a special friendship with Priscilla and Aquila and described their collective influence on an important preacher named Apollos. In Galatians 3, Paul declares there is neither male nor female. In Corinth the church met in the home of Chloe. The first "European" convert in Troas was a woman named Lydia. In another place, Paul specifically mentions a woman named Phoebe, whom he identified as a deaconess.

Put the two faith's side-by-side and just look at the treatment and value of women and it is clear; they are different.

Pray for the women around the world who follow Christ under threat of their very life.

In every church that I have served, it has been an honor to serve along side of gifted women who love Jesus, and are gifted in ministry.