USA: MOHAMMAD DIDN'T ORDER THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS...

Islam's prophet did not order killing innocents

Mr. and Mrs. Hogan have been alternately condemned and supported for remarks about Islam and whether public employees should be seen apparently aiding one religion. Now it's time to move on to other pressing issues.Or is it?

There are two separate issues here. One is the character and nature of the Islamic religion and the other is whether the concept of separation of church and state applies here. Too much for one letter, so let's see about the nature of Islam.Kill all the infidels? Isn't that what the Spanish Inquisition was all about? Kill everyone who wouldn't convert to Christianity? And the Crusades? Invade the Holy Land and recover it from the Muslims? Looks like this particular battle has been going on for some time. Much of the Judeo-Christian Old Testament is devoted to stories of the Hebrews claiming land in what is now the Middle East, slaying the inhabitants, capturing the women, taking over the cities. In the name of God. Sound familiar?

Right now Islamic religious fanatics are threatening the peace of the whole world, not just the U.S. They have publicly and loudly vowed to wipe Israel off the map. They incite hundreds of followers to punch their fists in the air chanting "Death to America." They convince young people, educated in strictly confined and restricted schools, that paradise awaits those who sacrifice themselves to Allah by blowing themselves up as a statement of their devotion.

Writers published nationally and internationally are saying the same thing: The moderate and liberal Muslims must take action to stop those who are perverting their religion. No one else can do it. Outsiders will only increase the determination of the radicals to resist. Muslims in other parts of the world can be heard faintly saying that the hotheads in Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan don't speak for them and what is going on there has little to do with them.

Well, it does. The radicals need to know that their actions are bringing the wrath of the rest of the world down on innocent heads and painting their religion with the black and red slashes of murder, suicide, and death.

Is this what Islam is about? Murder, suicide and death? How about peace, tolerance and life? We see the bumper sticker that reads "What Would Jesus Do?" How about one that reads "What Would Muhammad Do?" Would most Muslims say the prophet orders them to kill anyone who doesn't believe his way? I don't think so.

The bottom line: Muslims must see to the order of their own house.

G.B. Leatherwood
Spring Hill