Kafar, kefir, kuffar, keffir. As I have written over the years it has been necessary to go back to find and replace the various spellings of these words. I felt strongly about it, then found other spellings. From Wikipedia I found a variety of definitions. Googling these led to multiple sources. A television or radio station, a drink using one of these for a name. A racist term to denote blacks and other people whose origin was usually from Africa and the times of oppression and selling one's opponents into slavery. Historic origins of those, with which person and book made the references in which century. Sharia definitions of types of kefir, with levels of how severely these people are classified in their quest to be heathen. There is also kafr music, and a song. Didn't follow that link, because I just wanted to know how to spell the word properly.
   
Here are the simple definitions. Kefir is an individual who is guilty of covering the truth of Islam. He rejects it. The sources indicate it is as though he knows it is true but rejects it. (I find it illogical to suggest someone will reject what he knows to be true.) Either way he is an infidel. Kuffar is plural for this. Kafar is the verb. I may have mentioned this in a post previously. But I have written so much in so many locations I no longer remember where I put things exactly. Sorry.

Keffir is the racist term used to describe the descendants of slaves, whether they are in India, South Africa, or anywhere where the folks who refused Islam were shipped off. The folks that assisted in the internal transport from the interior of Africa to the coasts were Muslims and conversos, Jews who pretended to convert to Christianity.  When the Jews were kicked out of Spain by Isabella and Phillip in 1492, along with the defeated Moors, they settled in Morocco and other places around North Africa, and farther down the coasts wherever the Portuguese had gone. (To see this follow the maps of Prince Henry the Navigator and his brothers.)

Now in case you think I include this to malign Moors or Jews, yes, I suppose. Whatever. (I know my original interest in the subject of 1492, etc. was to figure out, to wrestle with why Christians would persecute those they were clearly indebted to. But I have found it useless to try to debate with anyone who would rather insult one than argue points. So I will no longer attempt to disprove any allegations of racism or prejudice.) However, the book on the Transatlantic slave trade that I have mentioned previously, of over 800 pages of staggering sourcework, does not allow for ANY group to feel like they are clean. Royal houses all over Europe, rich families and those who would become so, all furthered themselves at the expense of these. (And yes, I wrestled with the guilt of western civilization, of America, of Christian culture, etc. until I tired of rolling in it. But it is good to address before the Almighty the guilt of one's society along with his own, when he calls for mercy on his land.)

 However, reading that tome had taken much time several years ago and had been duly filed and put aside. It predated much of my research on Islam. Reading the definitions brought it back freshly to mind. So ONE of the reasons that tribes had fought one another, why they had taken captives was that these folks refused to convert to Islam. Not sure that their descendants found much proof of Christian love or godliness, except much later from the Quakers, and from the Methodists who with William Wilberforce helped change those laws and sent out ships to patrol the coasts of Africa for slave trading ships. Too many accepted the use of cheap labor in order to prosper. 

I suppose the other reason for writing about this is that a few weeks ago I picked up a book on the history of the Jews. It examines various stages of discrimination over the centuries. I had already examined the 1492 period from a couple of books a few years back, and really was not looking for anything further. But when you find something for a dollar in the clearance section of Half Price Books, sometimes you just have to go with it. The thing I appreciated about it, and it was from a Jewish source, so it wasn't anti-Semitic, was that Cantor acknowledged that there may have been times when the cultures had legitimate objections other than mere prejudice.

For instance, in 1492 the Jews had helped Muslims keep foreign oppressors in charge for nearly 800 years (711-1492.) In Russia, there were massive amounts of Jewish influence within the Communist spheres, so someone fighting against communism might legitimately think that group was helping to destabilize their country. At times I fume against the influence of Hollywood to undermine the Judeo-Christian values of our society. And who holds a lot of power there? Again, not out of religious bigotry, but out of analyzing social behavior.

 Now anyone who knows me knows that I am strongly pro-Israeli, pro-Zionist, and give God's chosen people the benefit of the doubt most always. And I am strongly offended by the growth of anti-Jewish sentiment in Europe and around the world. But dammit folks, try to work with us. Stop trying to undermine our society and don't give us reason to complain. You need folks who defend you. Who'll say, damn right, send our troops to defend Israel and stand against those who want to obliterate it. But if you want our backing, then stand up and complain about the persecution of Christians in the world. Not everything is about you. Stand up for righteousness.

 And stop trying to help all these Muslim rebels. They may be oppressed. But when they get into power, it will not be any better for their people. Just one group against another. But for non-Muslims, whether atheists, homosexuals, Jews, Christians, or whatever, the results will be much worse. You are playing with fire while our societies disintegrate.

And that is the most I have said about political and social issues in a long time. Because the Muslims I know have greatly impressed me with their humility, with their attempts at godliness, their dedication, I try to limit myself to discussions about what the Scriptures (Bible vs. the Koran) debate. I have not watched much news, nor checked my ezines a lot. Didn't watch most of the Bengazi-gate stuff. Don't read most of my political sources of newsletters or emails. Haven't even watched much Fox News for months. Just been trying to work on my writing and stuff.

 In fact, I haven't kept up with a lot of folks lately. I am trying to make my contribution, and we'll see where that goes. I found reading and watching just keeps folks geared up. And I want to be able to love as well as discuss, not hate nor fume. No doubt, I will be labeled. I know people keep up with what is written and hold it over to refer back to it even years later. I doubt anyone will consider me important enough. And I think I balance things, but I have just gotten overwhelmed in the last few years with the increasing persecution of Christians around the world, with the media saying little or nothing about it. In fact, I have resigned myself at times to viewing this as the end times with the consequent falling apart of all things. The only thing that is left to say is "Come, Lord Jesus. Bring an end to this suffering."