A very difficult piece to write.

I have my blog set up so that every single response I get goes to my e-mail. That way I never miss a comment, even if it is on an old blog. For example, about a week ago I got a response to a piece about a month old. Usually, of course, the responses are at most a day or two.

And I should stress I very much enjoy the responses. It gives me a look at what people are thinking, how anything I might have written affects or influences them, and sometimes gives me new ways to look at them. And, from time to time, fodder to respond. For example, I did receive one response to a recent piece which I think needs some additional discussion.

Drew! I understand your point but not all Muslims are fundamentalists, just like not all Christians bomb abortion clinics and say that gay people should be killed (e.g. Jerry Falwell.)

There is a common misconception today that it is a "fundamentalist" version of Islam that teaches hate and intolerance, that justifies or prescribes violence for unbelievers. It is unfortunately inaccurate. It is the standard version of Islam as founded that believes violence against unbelievers is not only justified but required.

Even a cursory reading of the Koran quickly reveals why the history of Islam, from inception down to today, is one of violence and bloodshed, of intolerance and hate. If they believe their Holy Book, what does it have to say?

Cow 2:191 And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.

Time 76:4 Surely We have prepared for the unbelievers chains and shackles and a burning fire.

The Women 4: 89 They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper.

The Women 4:91 You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given.you a clear authority.

Now, the Bible is regularly quoted out of context, and it is possible this is the case here. So go read The Women chapter 4. Note how, particularly the passage in question, the chapter discusses how to "fight in the way of Allah". When you can kill unbelievers, do so. That is the command, the "clear authority".

And it has been so done throughout their history. The "Muslim Explosion" as the birth of Islam is sometimes called was when the followers of Muhammad made themselves known through warfare. The words of Muhammad were spread via the sword. And it was not just the kafirs (unbelievers) who fell. The whole "Sunni-Shiite" division? It was over which Imam was the "true" Imam.

Some followed the "Eleventh Imam" (the Sunnis) whereas others follow the 12th Imam...the Shi'i. A much less famous group follows the Thirteenth Imam. Unsurprisingly, they are known as Thirteeners, though finding information on them is difficult. A refined Google search will get you there should you wish to look into them for whatever reason. However, that is not the point.

The point is even within Islam there is warfare and killing of all who do not follow an individuals chosen path from the inception right up until they lost power.

It is interesting to note the difference between this and the gap between the inception of Christianity and the development of killing in the name of religion. I suppose with an extremely loose interpretation of "Christian" you could argue the Emperor Constantine will fill the bill...in 312. Even there, his "Christianness" was suspect at best and self-serving, cynical, and completely false at worst.

Unfortunately, he set in motion the corruption of Christ's teaching that morphed into the Catholic church, an institution every bit as bloody, murderous, and desirous of persecuting unbelievers as Islam. And about the same level of Christianity. Both specifically violate tenets of the Bible in institutionalized ways. Whereas the Bible repeatedly teaches peace and love, both Islam and Catholicism have spread their message through warfare and persecution when they had the military might to do so. And after Constantine, the organization that would morph into the Catholic Church had official sanction as Emperor after Emperor gave lip service to Christianity. Meanwhile, they incorporated paganism into their church structure to mollify portions of their empire.

And here is a vital, important point; in the case of both Islam and Catholicism, it was not extremists who were responsible for the Wars of Religion. It was the leaders...check out the genesis of the Crusades. See if that trail does not land at the door of the popes. Same with the Inquisition. For Islam, it was Mohammad and his hand-picked successors.

As for the comment about not all Christians bomb abortion clinics, I will unequivocally state that NOT ONE CHRISTIAN has ever bombed an abortion clinic. People who misappropriate the name might, but not one Christian has ever done so. You have to violate the most basic tenets of Christianity in order to murder someone. Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself", after which he told the parable of the Good Samaritan, effectively teaching that even your enemy is your neighbor...hardly the sort of teachings that accord with bombings and killings. In fact, I would argue that it is only people who directly and specifically reject the teachings of Jesus and, by inference, implicitly reject Christianity even if they verbally claim it, that are capable of such evil behavior. Murder is murder and nowhere in Christian teachings is the concept of "The end justifies the means" found.

I was unable to track down the Falwell quote regarding killing the gay people. Not that he did not say things the gay community did not agree with...and his gay teletubby blast was questionable at best. In fact, there are a lot of things he said that were questionable.

Nevertheless, though I disagreed with many things Falwell taught and said, I did respect that he was open and upfront about them and, despite much opposition from numerous places, he said what he believed. Where he fell short was in two areas; 1, he did not examine the Scriptures very well and at times said things that contradicted them, and 2) backing off comments when he caught heat for them. If he believed them...he needed to stand behind them. If he changed his mind, he should admit to it. And again, there were things Falwell said that I did not agree with. However, where he was consistent with Scriptural teaching, I did not disagree with him.

And as controversial as it is in today's society, as angry as it makes many people, the truth is, the Bible does equate the homosexual with being lost and with being the act of an unrighteous person.

That is not an easy thing to write. I have friends who disagree with that statement with every fiber of their being, who wish I did not believe that way. I suppose I should admit that I wish they did believe that way. Or that the Bible did not say it. However, when properly applied, the Gospel has never been a teaching of coercion. If people elect not to accept it as the Word of God or elect not to apply the Word of God, that is their choice.

I am responsible before God for the things I personally say and do. And there are plenty of those of which I am ashamed, areas in which I fall short, to my shame. Others are responsible for their actions and beliefs. And statements.

To group all people who claim to be Christians under the same banner is something I have repeatedly objected to and will continue to object to. It is a name and term that has been co-opted by those who do not follow even the most basic teachings of the Bible. Many of the people who teach that way are very "big names"...Billy Graham, Pope whatever his name is right now, etc.

But there is a basic test that is easy to check; Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep My commandments." Not "You will keep a few of the commandments" or "you will keep the easy commandments" or "you will keep the convenient commandments" or even "you will keep all but a couple of the commandments". In fact, the second chapter of James deals at length with the concept that violating a command of God puts a person in opposition to the whole of His Law, thought redemption is possible.

In other words, those who deny part or all of His commands do not love Him. How then can they follow the "God of Love"?

Is the same thing going on with Islam? Are non-followers of legitimate Islamic teaching being grouped with the legitimate followers? Based on the history of Muhammad and his direct followers, I am going to argue the opposite...those striving for peace are the ones who oppose the correct and initial teachings as related in the Koran.

And look at where Islam is in control and the Shariah (there are several spellings for this...the meaning is Islamic Law under any of them), how things are. There are two things I really fear.

One is Islam gaining control of the nation.

The other is Catholicism gaining control of the nation.

Either would be a disaster based on how they have historically acted when in power.

Are both Islamists and Christians misunderstood and misrepresented? The very fact the phrase 'Fundamentalist" is thrown around argues powerfully that they are. However, I have found that both throughout history and even today, where Islamists are in power who follow the teachings of the Koran, you have the same thing today you have had throughout history...persecution of those who do not believe and/or follow the Koran. This is happening today in Iran, in Africa, and other places in the Middle East. It is tragic...and a warning. And definitely something to think about.