A final word on terrorism...

I would like to make a clarification on this issue:

I am not apologizing for anyone's behavior. Al-Queda and Eric Robert Rudolf are terrorists and their behavior is abhorent. There is no rationalizing it. The point that I am trying to make is that I believe it is wrong to blame an entire group of people; a person's religion, if you will; for the actions of a few. Rudolf does not speak for me when he says that he is doing God's work. We may both be professed Christians, but I obviously have a different interpretation of God's word.

I believe that groups like Al-Queda have strayed from Islamic teaching and are interpreting the word of Allah incorrectly. That is purely my opinion and I do not profess to be an expert on world religions. But I do believe that hatred is fueling the fire of global terrorism. Instead of making an attempt to rise above the terrorists and their misunderstanding of our culture and way of life, we are sinking to their level.

I work with two Muslim individuals, both from very different backgrounds, who are good friends. They are both very open-minded to American cultures and belief systems and have a good understanding of Christian beliefs. There is no intolerance, no hatred. They certainly were not raised to solve problems with violence. I certainly don't see how an "evil" religion could have turned out two such level-headed, gracious people.

I know, I know... I basing my beliefs on emotion again, aren't I? But how else can we deal with this problem? We've tried force, and that doesn't work. Putting an end to stereotyping is the first step to ending hatred on all sides.