The American Spectator

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Religion of Hate : /p>

President Bush-who was not elected Chief Theologian, who is not an Islamic scholar and who seems to be wildly mis-influenced and/or misinformed by someone close to him-should never have made those statements about Islam being a religion of peace. What he, his advisers and most people don't want to acknowledge or are very afraid to acknowledge is that there now exists an active, overt war of civilizations, of values, initiated by Islam against the non-Islam world. But underlying it all, it's a war of Islam versus Christianity and Judaism, mostly.

Most of us non-Muslims, us infidels -- names the Qur'an calls us are kafirs (those who reject Islam), hypocrites, Christians, Jews, Israelites and transgressors -- seem to be clueless about the social/religious culture out of which the zealots-terrorists and their supporters have arisen and continue to thrive. Likewise, it would appear that our cultures and freedoms are completely misunderstood. So, for example, when the partisan press and some politicians, as well as some academicians and jurists, betray the public's trust or their professional or societal responsibilities by what they say or publish or do -- and by what appears to be their active participation in or approval of the war against the war against terrorism -- the terrorists and their supporters are emboldened.

p>Mason and Felder are right: Negotiating with the religious terrorists won't work. We must resolutely and decisively defeat this religiously inspired madness. Force and commitment will be understood. But do we have the sense and will to acknowledge the problem and the urgency of its resolution and then act? Can we do all this within the confines of our society and the Constitution? br> -- C. Kenna Amos Jr. br> Princeton, West Virginia /p>

Mason and Feder speak the truth.

It is unbelievable that the terms Crusades and Crusaders have become synonymous with Pure Evil. While no one can defend the atrocities committed by Christians during the Crusades, the Crusades themselves must be seen as a counteroffensive to the militarism and conquests of Islam. North Africa was once a center of Christianity until it was conquered by Islam. Spain was invaded hundreds of years before the first Crusade and Islamist forces marched northward until defeated by Charles Martel at the battle of Tours. In the East, Islamist forces would eventually conquer Constantinople and besiege Vienna. I think the Crusades need to be seen in the light of this Islamic military expansionism.

p>Many of us pray that moderate Islamists will come to their senses and help to expunge the radicals that are waging war against the West (actually against the world; what's going to happen on that day Islam confronts China?). Sadly, as Mason and Feder point out, the "moderates" may not be on our side. br> -- Frank Gibbons

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