Opinion

Submitted by donna (United States), Apr 3, 2008 at 12:41

The point is not to win an argument, the point is to educate. I in no way lived in isolation. I have found, however, that statements such as these mainly come for people who have never set foot in any Middle East country.

What happened on 9-11 was not an eye opener to the Islamic faith, although it was used twisted by extremists in their faith. It was an eye opener to how people around the world are treated. This statement would require an extensive history lesson, which I have no time for here. There are things embeded within the Islamic faith which have nothing to do with the religion. Nothing at all.

If you are questioning whether Allah is the same God, it would be a good thing if you found a Quran and a Bible, read them side by side. That is were the faith part comes in. Story for story. Parable for parable. The other stuff, not unlike the like the rapture, came in much later, made up by men, to control men and fear God (yes it is the same God like it or not.)

I wish that I could fully give a history lesson on the culture of man, the beginnings of the Islamic faith, with the hope of gaining understanding that the deeds of men are not a religious doctrine. There are many instances in all religions where it is used to persuade, cause fear and yes even destroy. We cannot blame Islam or it's people for all the worlds ills. It causes me as a Christian, to see the hate in people, and weep. I am only guessing this hate comes from the lack of knowledge of the truth, of the history, the world.

If this world is to see any kind of peace, then understanding that we are all different is a must. Respect for one another is paramount. We may not agree with a belief, we may not even agree on how we all should live, but respecting the right for another to do so would go very far in this volitile world. It is amazing however, that some, as Christians, Jew and yes Muslims, cannot or will not recognize this. It's the some old my way or the highway mentality. I see this all as a test from God. Lessons to be learned. Lessons in tolerance, lessons in understanding, of respect for all God's creations. Every religious faith fails in learning these lessons. There, for me, is only faith. Not religious doctrine.

It is my hope, that in some small way, that God has been pleased with me in trying to understand. I hope in some small way He is pleased that I have tried to make the world a little better. Through knowledge, I have somehow gained peace. May God bless you all, may he open your hearts and minds to ALL his people.

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