Muslim Does Not Equal Radical Islam

So I've seen several posts lately on the events of 9-11 saying that people have forgotten.  On some level, it's true.  We've forgotten how we came together as a nation.  We've forgotten how terrifying that felt and how it made us appreciate our families and friends so much more.  We've forgotten how it changed us and how much it shaped how we view things.

But some of us seem to have forgotten something else.... who we were fighting.  You see, our war is not with all Muslims.  Our fight has been against Radical Islam and that is an entirely different thing.

Here are a few thoughts I just want to share to give you some nuggets to chew on.....

*"The Quran encourages  violence."  Most of the people that make this argument have never actually read the Quran.  In fact, most haven't read the Bible or the Book of Mormon or any other religious book in its entirety.  Most are basing it on what they read....wait for it......online.  Statistically speaking, the Bible contains more than twice as many violent passages as the Quran.  Even when you break it down to percentage (as the Bible has many more pages), the Quran's percentage of  violent passages (though larger in percentage than the Bible's 2.71%) is still only 5.34%.  Is the Bible a violent book?  Not, in my opinion.  But my opinion is that the Quran isn't either.  Realistically Christians seldom follow every single passage in the Bible to follow or they'd be cutting off hands and gouging out eyes.  The reason? Christianity is based on Jesus saving our souls and creating a new covenant.  All I am saying is that you should read the Quran YOURSELF before deciding  it's violent because anything can be taken out of context.

*"My brother in law has been 'over there' fighting in the military and they all hate us.'"  First off, God bless our military.  I believe that they have been through hell and I believe that the areas they were called to be have some awful, awful things that can't be unseen.  What I also believe, though, is that we are, once again, confusing all Muslims with a particular war-torn region of a country.  I know, for damn certain, I would not want someone coming over here and judging me based on a gang-infested area of a major city.  I wouldn't want everyone thinking that our whole country is violent and angry just because they were dropped in downtown Chicago (let's say) and encountered a bunch of violent, angry people.  

*"All the men rape children."  No, no they don't.  Just like all Christian men don't lay down with their daughters like the Bible's Old Testament says.  In fact, I'd venture that MOST Muslim men don't rape children just like most Christian men or Buddhist men or Jewish men or any other religion don't rape children.  This is just cruel and xenophobic.

*"The women are beaten and have no rights."  Okay, again, confusing a country (or portion of a country) and a religion.  Let me stress again that a particular Middle Eastern country (or cluster of them) does NOT represent a religion.  Do you see every single Christian woman walking around in completely modest clothing that shows off nothing with no makeup?  Of course not.  Just because the Bible says it, doesn't mean that they obey every single passage...why?  Their focus tends to be on the New Testament because of the new covenant when Jesus died and was resurrected.  There are plenty of Muslims that live in our country (and others) that treat their wives and daughters with more respect and dignity than many other families.  You are confusing religion and a country.

*"Well look at all the shootings here...all Muslim."  Again, generalization.  Has Radical Islam waged a war with our country?  Yes, ours and many others.  Does that mean all Muslims have?  No, not at all.  I sure as hell don't want to be categorized with people that do violence in the name of Christianity.  Why?  Because those people don't represent all Christians.  It's the same premise, like it or not.

*"Well I don't trust any Muslims."  Well I feel very sad for you, then.  Let me ask this question though: how many Muslims do  you actually actively know?  How many have you talked to, in depth?  How many have you looked in the eye?  I'm not talking about what you see, talk about or "chat" online.  I'm talking about truly standing face to face with a Muslim man or woman and truly talking to them.  I'm talking about asking them questions about their faith and their culture.  I'm talking about asking THEIR opinions on all of this.  I can tell you that I have conversed with many that I consider to be kind, generous, friendly people.  I have friends that are Muslim and I trust some of them more than I trust some of my friends of other faith.  Religion does not define us; our hearts do.

This is just the start of a conversation that I wish more people would have.  I wish that they would understand that a country, particularly a portion of a country, does not represent a religion.  I wish they would understand that 5.3% of a book doesn't represent the whole book.  I wish that they would understand that Radical Islam doesn't represent the Muslim faith.  I wish that they would take the time to TALK to Muslims, despite their fear, and truly understand that most are not violent, cruel people.  I wish that they would take the time to get over their fear of what they don't understand and really educate themselves from ALL sides on what they are judging.  

Please take the opportunity to learn.