But we do not grant the same courtesy to the 1.6 billion Muslims across the globe when an infinitesimally small fraction of Muslims act out in violence in the name of God, which by the way Christians have also done and still do.
Why is it incumbent upon Muslims to condemn every attack as if they are responsible if they do not?
Do us Mormons have to condemn the child sex abuses of Warren Jeffs because we are an LDS sect as well?
Atheist or more specifically Anti-Theists like Richard Dawkins will say religion is inherently violent but this is wrong and it misses the point entirely. Human nature is violent and it is religion that seeks to tame the natural man because the natural man is an enemy of God.
As the Dalai Lama said something like, religion is about controlling oneself not controlling others.
Controlling others is about power and when one can't control others one can kill them and thereby gain permanent control.
No terrorist attacks are in alignment with God's will however you perceive that will.
If you correct a fool they will hate you. If you correct someone wise they will appreciate you. And many of these fools let their anger turn them to turn towards terrorism for answers. For financial support or for the glory gained by becoming a martyr.
Martyr is misused in this case because Biblically it refered to those who died for God, not to those who murder in the name of God.
All Muslims are not terrorist just like not all Muslims are Arab. Not all Christians bomb abortion clinics.
I found a deeper understanding of Jesus, the prophet of love, in the Koran that she'd a new light on what I already understood. I glimpsed a tradition that traces its lineage to a shared origin. I read the passages that spoke of a people who sought to know God, to understand Him and to do His will as best they could.
And since we are talking about differences I though I would quote you one of my favorite passages:
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ. Koran, Sirah 5:48.
The Koran has ugly passages in it just as the Bible does but we out not throw out the baby with the bath water. We ought to find truth in it whoever we can.
Joseph Smith said this about truth; “Mormonism is Truth… One of the grand fundamental principles of Mormonism is to receive truth, let it come from whence it may. (Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 199)Later, Joseph bolstered this sentiment with this statement, “We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 316). But truth and facts are useless without an open mind. One has to understand that they may be wrong and that truth is hidden all around us in any movie, book or even in religions outside of the one true church.This photo is Muslims protecting Coptic Egyptian Christians through a human chain.What if we were to judge not according to appearances but give then benefit of the doubt? What if we were to spend as much effort on loving each other as Christ loved us as we do on judging others?
