This post may be a little long. I thank those who read it the whole way through and may have any insight into public debate with Mohammedans and my obligations/duties as a Catholic:

I frequently browse the "free" section of my local Craigslist and recently found a posting about a big giveaway down the street from me. It's scheduled for 2:30 this coming Sunday and appears to be held in a private (Islamic) school's parking lot. These two parts of the ad caught my attention:

- Free Giveaway organized by the local Muslim community.
- This is also an opportunity for us to learn about Muslims, the Islamic faith and culture.

As I understand it, under most circuмstances we are not required to go out of our way to defend the Faith, e.g. knocking on the door of every Mosque we see to strike up debate. I figured, however, since this would only be a quick walk from my house, I would make a visit and help others learn the real truth about Mohammedans. Although I would certainly be outnumbered, I have the Truth on my side. Heck, they were outnumbered at Lepanto so I have nothing to complain about :).

What's most upsetting about the situation is the school looks to be a converted, former Catholic church! (EDIT: google just confirmed it used to be "Queen of Peace parish" until 2007. I'm getting a "bit" more upset as I type this...)

I have somewhat of a working knowledge of the Muslim teachings and how to logically expose their fallacies, but will take all the help I can get. Side note: at a previous job, a Mohammedan tried to convert me, when I was still in the Novus Ordo. After the Rosary saved me, I spent a good month or so looking up anti-Islam apologetics, but that was a few years ago.

With all that being said, my main concerns are these:

1. Would it be wrong to actively seek out what has the possibility of ending up a "less than peaceful" confrontation, especially on a Sunday? I plan on keeping it objective and peaceful, only quoting their koran and being polite. I understand I will be on private property and have no plan of getting into legal trouble and will leave if asked to.

2. If there are (Islamic) children present, would it cause a scandal to (possibly) see their parents reacting with anger?

3. My plan is to produce a small flyer with cited quotes from the koran and how absurd it all is (religion of "peace", same god as us, all the usual lies) Does anyone know of such a flyer already in existence?

4. Do I go in "ignorant" to try and catch them in taqiyya, or do I stand off to the side actively exposing the errors of Mohammedanism?

5. Is anyone familiar with public demonstration laws? I understand only New York State law applies here, but how do pro-lifers do it? I'm fairly sure sidewalks are public property...

6. I'm a little ignorant of the differences between sunnis and shiites, but I believe they all follow the same koran, right? I've seen some online islam apologists try to dismiss all the "bad" things associated with Islam coming from the shias.

Any thoughts or advice would be quite welcome.

+J.M.J.+

P.S. - As far as physical safety, I do plan on taking a longer route home, in case some trouble-makers decide to follow me and "continue the conversation". I am 6' 5", almost 200 pounds, but have never been in a physical altercation, if it happens to come to that. The school is not in the best of areas, but also not in the worst, although it's still a concern. That's not to say I wouldn't welcome a black eye for the sake of Our Lord, but I also currently don't have medical insurance :).

Thank you for the reply and article, John. I certainly agree that Islam is basically Arianism in a more "violent form".

I'm not confrontational by nature and would not want to give Catholicism a bad name. Do you think there is any other way to expose their lies and disseminate the truth about Islam in this particular setting?

That is a disgrace that Catholic Churches and properties are being sold to anti Catholics.  

It is just anti-catholics selling to other anti-catholics.

If a trad group went to buy it from the diocese, they'd be thrown out the door.

Consider the risks, both physical and spiritual.  No doubt you have prayed about it; Have you discussed this with your confessor?

Thank you, again, John for the advice. I don't think I did pray enough before I came up with my "plan" and trusted too much in my own judgement. I did not talk to my confessor about it, either, as time was short before the actual event. In the past I have asked about something similar (public reparation for blasphemy), and the priest said sometimes it's more prudent to stay silent, as to not provoke more blasphemy. I think "fighting" on the Muslims' home turf could have been a similar situation.

After taking time to pray and reflect on this, I came to the conclusion to not go to the event. Looking back, I believe I initially acted rashly, and may have let pride and over-zealousness take control. I think the close proximity of the event to my home was also a factor in thinking this was "my moment" and not what God might have had in mind.

Also, looking back at my initial post reveals that there was almost a certainty of an altercation, which wouldn't have helped anything. God knows what He has planned for me; I just need to pray for the strength and wisdom to handle it when it comes. God bless you for your help.