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The recent World Trade Center attacks were, at the core, caused by religious fundamentalists. They used warped teachings of a decent religion to justify what they did. I have seen arguments that try to show how bloody and violent the religion actually is. These may well be teachings of the religion. However, Islam stresses love and the Ethic of Reciprocity (treat others like you want to be treated) much more. What startles me is that most of the arguments I see are coming from Christians who take the "oppurtunity" to bash Islam and yet fully support Christian fundies like Rev. Fred Phelps. When people attack Christianity they become angry and defensive. I often hear them say that Christianity is about love and respect. How can they support people like Phelps and still say that Christianity is about love? Is Phelps not the creator of the websites God Hates Fags and God Hates America? Some of the Christian fundies ask the very few Muslims in the town how a deity who cares for all people and loves peace can be twisted into a hateful one that orders the slaughter of thousands of innocent people. They ask how the infallible Qu'ran, the word of loving Allah, can be twisted into something so brutal and merciless.
Two words: Spanish Inquisition. Another example: Salem Witch Trials. The problem I have with the Salem Witch Trials is that people tend to ignore the fact that it wasn't an isolated event. Trials like Salem's plagued the whole of Europe for at least half a century. If not for the Constitution seperating the church and state, Christian fundamentalism may (and probably would) have taken over the U.S.A. years ago. Doubtless the U.S.A. would be undemocratic and extremely conservative. The abolishment of slavery may not have occured, women's rights would be what they were two hundred years ago, and all those opposing Christian fundamentalism in any way would most likely be severely punished or killed. It sounds exactly like Afghanistan. Any religion or philosophy that is taken to the extremities of fundamentalism and ignores logic, reason, rights, and looks at tiny details while ignoring larger ideas can bring about countries like Afghanistan, events like 9/11, and can spawn violent, hateful religious zealots. Maybe they haven't considered how the Bible was, and still is, used the same way.
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