This is Islam

It’s a sad truth, but people judge God and specific religions by the people who worship.

For instance, I know someone who turned away from God and religion because a Sunday school teacher told her at the curious age of six she would go to Hell for questioning a story in the Bible. Her story is not unusual as thousands if not millions of people have turned their back on God because of similar experiences.

One could argue based on much of the news that all Muslims are fanatics, willing to kill any nonbeliever at the cost of his or her own life for whatever glory awaits them in Heaven, and that Allah is a difficult God to please, without mercy or compassion.

However, should we trust everything the media says? Do they give us the entire story, or are they more interested in reporting what will gain the most attention?

For instance, they never once reported on Dreams - Anon, who are you? or Farhana . If I am to judge Islam by their actions, I say though they live by more rules than I care to adhere to, Islam teaches well about constant worship, prayer, and living according to what is pleasing in God’s eyes. Those are the things I don’t do enough of.

Both of them don’t back down from those beliefs, yet they state their reasoning with compassion and intelligence. They willingly engage in discussions with people of other faiths, open-minded enough to understand and to learn. Hardly the fanatics some assume all Muslims to be.

If Islam is about hate, then these two and the millions of other Muslims who’ve never harmed another person because of their beliefs aren’t true to Islam.

But if Islam is about something entirely different, then perhaps the fanatics who gain all the world’s attention aren’t true to Islam.

Not one religion has cornered the market on all truth. While I may not agree with everything in the Quran, and will never become a Muslim, to close my mind to the things we have in common is closing my mind to the things God has to teach me, as well as turning my back on those who otherwise could be my friends and teachers.

Do I know what Islam is? No, except it’s not all about hate and the destruction of those who disbelieve. To me, that’s the most important thing to know.

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