From a reader...

In response to the post immediately below this one:

Our Christian values would never allow us to arrive in
heaven with such ruthlessness. Does the Muslim world expect us to embrace the
death of others as the way to heaven? God will judge and we must show our
disdain for the terrible acts of other humans. I am dishonored by the acts of
humans that take the life of others.

The first sentence at that reply cuts right to the heart of the issue of a key problem that does exist within modern Islam (discussed in general terms here)- that killing leads to salvation. The notion of jihad, as it has been twisted by radical Islamists, has perverted Islam to something that is unrecognizable to a faith whose very name- 'Islam'- shares a root word with 'peace.'

In the Christian world, there are extremists as well- who have twisted the faith to support crusades, inquisitions, racial supremecy, or to justify killing abortion doctors. Fortunately those types of individuals have generally, at least in modern times, been kept at bay, and on the fringe. The writer is correct- our mainstream Christian values are at odds with the terrorists who think they will find themselves a place in heaven by killing innocent civilians.

No religion is immune from being abused.

I will continue to hope and pray that moderate Muslims will be able to take back their faith from those who would misuse it for evil ends. Then a sad chapter in the history of Islam, and the world, can be closed.

I also appreciate the writers comment that "I am dishonored" by the killings. Very interesting. Aren't we all dishonored, as a part of the human family, by the killings? I think so.

If we all seek to bring peace to every facet of our lives, perhaps we can move towards a future with much less of this dishonor.

GP