Islam as a Religion of Peace
Christian Swanson
Religion
Peace and Islam
12/1/11
Islam as a Religion of Peace
Islam has taken a lot of flak in recent years, though not, that is to say, without any sort of reason. It is an unavoidable fact that the organization that attacked the United States on September 11th, 2001 was indeed an Islamic organization. As most Americans are not prepared to go to their local library to learn about their enemies, it is logical that many people may have been led to believe some untrue assertions about the Muslim religion as a whole. The extreme polarization of religion in America has done nothing to help the issue, either. While such fear and ignorance may be understandable from a purely objective point of view, every stride should be taken to properly educate mainstream Americans as to the true nature of Islam.
To the mainstream American, Islam is a frightening concept. The religion has a much smaller following in the United States, and there is a high chance that an average person may not know any Muslims. As such, the religion becomes a far-off, foreign concept to them, more frightening than it is inviting. They are shown pictures of the World Trade Center collapsing, read news about massive protests over simple cartoon drawings, and told stories of the horrific treatment of women in these distant “middle eastern” lands. The massive cluster of these stories do not bode well for the religion, especially when one considers the fact that none of them can be denied. Islam comes across as a religion of savages; people who are united, and yet blinded by hatred, and desire nothing more than to destroy Americans simply for existing.
America, for better or for worse, possesses a majority of Christian followers compared to other religions. The very nature of Christianity, revolving around Jesus of Nazarus, seems to conflict with the primary details that have been dispersed in mainstream America regarding Islam. Buzzwords like “jihad” or “sharia law” set off fear
Religion
Peace and Islam
12/1/11
Islam as a Religion of Peace
Islam has taken a lot of flak in recent years, though not, that is to say, without any sort of reason. It is an unavoidable fact that the organization that attacked the United States on September 11th, 2001 was indeed an Islamic organization. As most Americans are not prepared to go to their local library to learn about their enemies, it is logical that many people may have been led to believe some untrue assertions about the Muslim religion as a whole. The extreme polarization of religion in America has done nothing to help the issue, either. While such fear and ignorance may be understandable from a purely objective point of view, every stride should be taken to properly educate mainstream Americans as to the true nature of Islam.
To the mainstream American, Islam is a frightening concept. The religion has a much smaller following in the United States, and there is a high chance that an average person may not know any Muslims. As such, the religion becomes a far-off, foreign concept to them, more frightening than it is inviting. They are shown pictures of the World Trade Center collapsing, read news about massive protests over simple cartoon drawings, and told stories of the horrific treatment of women in these distant “middle eastern” lands. The massive cluster of these stories do not bode well for the religion, especially when one considers the fact that none of them can be denied. Islam comes across as a religion of savages; people who are united, and yet blinded by hatred, and desire nothing more than to destroy Americans simply for existing.
America, for better or for worse, possesses a majority of Christian followers compared to other religions. The very nature of Christianity, revolving around Jesus of Nazarus, seems to conflict with the primary details that have been dispersed in mainstream America regarding Islam. Buzzwords like “jihad” or “sharia law” set off fear