Hello Mariam

Submitted by Jon Alex Smail (United States), Aug 23, 2006 at 19:12

Hello Mariam,
I apologize for being short with my opinion. I am aware that Christians and Jews have been allowed to live in peace, in Muslim nations for years. For this I am grateful. I am referring to the persecution of Christians and Jews in Muslim countries today. For this I am concerned. These persecutions exist. It is happening and it is not to be taken lightly.

My last name is Smail. Obviously, my heritage is Islamic. I am a Christian. Jesus, is my Lord and Savior. I know him in my heart. Secondly, I side with the line of Isaac because through faith Gentiles are adopted into the line of Isaac. This is a gift of God and explained well in the book of Romans, by Paul the Apostle who is a Jew. Don't get me wrong. I despise wrongs against Muslims. I love Muslims. Muslims deserve to live in peace. I don't hate any group. By the way, many Muslims have been very kind to me. In fact, my former employer is Muslim and he treated me with a great deal of respect. I wish we didn't persecute each other.

I grew up in Dearborn, Michigan. Trust me, Muslims in America have the same freedoms and opportunity to succeed in this country, as other religious group. I said that the Christians and Jews who are being persecuted should move. Why? If militant Islam is persecuting them, it is wrong of militant Islam to persecute them. Therefore, Christians and Jews need to evacuate in order to live in peace.

Yes, I see militant Islam as evil. No if's and's or but's. It is evil. Period end of story! I see the leadership in the West as weak. I see it as corrupt. Yet, I see leadership in the East as corrupt. So, what can be done? Love thy enemy is a start. Give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry, and clothing to the naked no matter what religion they are.

Furthermore, and this has nothing to do with religious controversy, I lived in a neighborhood overrun with drugs and corruption. The police could do very little. I prayed for strength and protection. I prayed for forgiveness of my sins and the sins of those who persecuted me. Then, I confronted them. Not with weapons, but my fist. Yes, I battled the criminals with my fist. I tried to turn the other cheek, but it became obvious they saw this as weakness. The word got out that I was crazy and many left me alone. Yet, I was targeted by the some of them. After two years of living in fear, I had to move. Life has improved. This is why I say to move out of dens of sin.

Thank you for contacting me and informing me. I am always willing to be corrected. I strive for ILM. Knowledge is wonderful and appreciated.
Please forgive me if I have offended you.

Take care, Jon Alex Smail.

P.S. Mariam is a beautiful name. Also, the Bible I read is the New American Version.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".