There is a lot of coverage of ISIS/ISIL lately. It's warranted, because - despite their small numbers - they have some smart experienced people at the top, and access to a lot of funds and armaments. While there are some who are against the U.S. becoming involved in any way, shape, or form with yet another war in the Middle East, this one seems different. Their explosive growth (no pun intended) and ability to overrun trained armies makes them a more formidable foe than the ragtag band of al-Qaeda in Afghanistan.

While it may be non-Muslims (ie: Christians) in the U.S. who think they are the main targets of this group, the reality is that the vast majority of those killed by them have been other Muslims. It's not enough to be Muslim in their eyes - you must be their particular brand of Muslim or you will be put to death.

Here in the U.S., we shudder to think of it. What animals they must be! WE would never do anything like that here... we wouldn't think of killing others because they don't subscribe to "our" Christian beliefs...

would we?

Um... yes.

Sometimes it's just lip service, like National Review writer Kevin Williamson who has made it known he believes that women who get an abortion should be hanged. The constitutionally protected right to have an abortion is a line in the sand for certain Christians, like Scott Roeder who killed Dr. Joseph Tiller for performing them (the group who inspired the killer is unrepentant). Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) is one of any number of politicians who are trying to impose their religious beliefs on the rest of us by trying to get personhood designation for a fertilized and embedded egg. He denies it, but he has.

But sponsoring a bill is not the same as committing murder right? It could - in the wrong hands. Take a look at the anti-gay bill that American pastors got pushed through in Uganda. That's not the U.S., but it is Christian-based.

Eric Rudolph bombed the 1996 Olympics, an abortion clinic, and a lesbian bar, all because of his Christian beliefs. Timothy McVeigh bombed a federal building in Oklahoma City because of the botched arrest attempt of David Koresh, who himself was a Christian-based lunatic. Who can forget Jonestown and the murder of all who tried to leave?

One might say that these are aberrations, "bad apples", crazies who don't represent true Christianity. They would be correct. Christianity as it is practiced today by the vast majority of people does not force compliance at gunpoint.

Of course - the same is true about Islam. The vast majority of Muslims are good people who are not interested in forcing others to practice their faith. As Christians are appalled at those who murder in Christ's name, so too are the Muslims who see ISIS/ISIL rampaging through the Middle East and say "not in my name".



Let's all try to spend a moment walking in their shoes before looking at the next hijab-wearing woman with suspicion.