He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one."

What you see above is a pretty radical statement. It would appear that whoever said it is suggesting that you gather everything and that it is more important to be prepared for violence than it is to be warm wouldn't it?

Christ said it. New Testament, Book of Luke, Chapter 22, Verse 36.

I could make a case that, at this point in his walk, the Christ was advocating violent action to overthrow the Roman oppression of Israel. I could say that this verse is a call to arms for the Disciples telling them that now is the time for action and the conquest of unbelievers.

I could do that but I would not be the first. It was used in sermons during the time of the Crusades when the Holy Catholic Church was recruiting for a war on who was that again? Oh yes, Islam.

Holy Books have a tendency to be misquoted, abused and taken out of context by those who have agendas other than being holy. Everything from slavery through killing homosexuals to marching Jewish people into gas chambers has been justified by reference to the Bible. A book I have read cover to cover a number of times and found none of that.

Don't you suspect that the average Muslim is a lot like me and you? They are proud of their culture, proud of their religion and proud of themselves. At the same time they want to work, live well, raise their kids to a better life and make a little whoopee every once in a while. Yes, a lot like me and you.

The key here is in the phrase Muslim Extremist. If you want to understand, drop the word Muslim. Extremists are not like me and you or, for that matter, the largest majority of Muslims.

Extremists of whatever flavor are a whole different breed of cat my friend. Extremists brought us all the joys in life that we so cherish. Such as:

1. The Crusades: I already mentioned that one but it bears repeating.

2. The Inquisition: Remember that one, what a fun time was had by all.

3. The Irish Republican Army: What a buncha cuties these bomber boys were.

4. Communism: Yep, Marx was one too.

5. National Socialism: Possibly the definitive extremists, those lovable Nazi's.

And it goes on, and on, and continually on. Mostly at the expense of people like you and me. Oh yes, and the average Muslim.

Muslim Extremists are just the modern incarnations of a phenomena that has gone on through-out history. As much as it hurts and scares people around the globe the odds say it; like National Socialism, the KKK, the IRA, Maoism and Amway will peak and pass while people like you and me will endure and hopefully prosper. Oh yes, the average Muslim will to, if Allah wills.

Learn more about this author, Edward Hall.
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