Beware: There are Terrorists Among Us!

9/11/01 Then and Now  Part 3 of 3 parts

In Part One, we remembered the tragic events of 9/11, realizing how this changed our national mindset forever. No longer complacent, we realized we were vulnerable to attacks on our own soil. Then in part two, amidst all the horror, the American Spirit prevailed, and the good moments were shared. But in the decade since the attacks, many have condemned Muslims, painting them all as terrorists. Is this a fair accusation? Who are the terrorists in our country?

 Beware: There are Terrorists Among Us!

On September 11, 2001, 19 militants, members of the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda, hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States. They were from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations and financed by Osama bin Laden.

Yes, they certainly did an evil thing, killing more than they even imagined possible, as they had no idea the buildings would collapse. But it was intentional, and not the first time this group has attacked the US, even though not on our soil before.

But it is important to realize that they are EXTREMISTS,  meaning, way beyond the usual. Their actions are not the beliefs of normal followers of Islam. There were members of all faiths killed that day, including innocent Muslims, in the World Trade Center. 

It makes no more sense to blame all Muslims on the actions of these 19  terrorists than it does to blame all Americans for the actions of James Holmes, the guy that killed 12 and injured 58 more at the recent Batman movie.  If his plans had worked out, many more would’ve been killed, but his gun locked up and he had to change guns. His elaborate maze of booby-trapped lines and explosives were supposed to kill the police that he knew would investigate his apartment. There’s a good chance the entire building would’ve exploded, killing or injuring everyone in it.

James Holmes grew up attending the local Presbyterian Church, where his parents are still active. Do we blame all Christians for his actions? Why not? Isn’t that what we do to all Muslims since 9/11?

Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols killed 168 adults and children, in Oklahoma City when he set a bomb off in front of the federal building. I’m still haunted by the pictures of the bloody children they dug out from the daycare center there.

There have been others, including the bombing during the Atlanta Olympics, many school shootings, church shootings, and shooting sprees in shopping centers. People that do these acts are terrorists.

However, since 9/11, the MAJORITY of the terrorist attacks in this country have been by non-jhadist, non al-Quaeda, non-Muslim people! Sometimes they don’t have a particular group they identify with, but when they do, some have been members of white supremists groups.

There are 2.6 million Muslims in the United States Most of them are American citizens that work, buy houses, own businesses that employ others, and pay taxes. The majority were born here. They are peaceful and wish that others realized that the actions of the extremists do not represent them, or their religion.

Recently, there has been a lot of protesting in other countries by Muslims. Some, members of the same terrorist group that is responsible for 9/11, have killed some Americans in Libya. But what they don’t show as much on the news is that there are also Muslim groups that SUPPORT the US, that are mourning the loss of their friends that were killed.

The same people that discriminate against and hate all Muslims for the actions of a few, point to the few that are responsible for the killings and allow it to fuel their biased fire.  People like that are the kind of people that cause many of the problems.

Muslims, world-wide, are reeling at the vicious video created by an American. They are correct to see it as an attack on their faith. He portrays Mohammed in vile sex acts – they don’t even allow pictures of Mohammed, so are completely outraged. His notion of “free speech rights” is no different than yelling, “Fire!” in a crowded theatre, knowing that it would be inflammatory and incite riots. While I can’t condone killings, I understand their outrage.  It is an awful movie, one that everyone of faith, including Christians, should be condemning.

 

Terrorism is a horrible thing, regardless of who does it. Yet, despite the fact that more terrorism in the US has been done by Non-Muslims since 9/11, Muslims bear the brunt of the discrimination.

Sadly, many of the people that discriminate the most, claim to be Christians. Discrimination goes beyond denying access to facilities or clubs. It also includes not giving someone a fair chance, or spreading the false and slanderous viewpoints with others. A real Christian, one taught by Jesus Christ to love everyone, would not do this. If they do, then they aren’t really Christians. 

Beware of the real terrorists in the country. It just might not be who you expect it to be!

"9/11/01 Then and Now"

Part One Loss of an Attitude

Part Two The Bright Spots

I encourage you to view these:

The Sorry Project - a facebook page created by the people in Benghazi, Libya as they express their feelings about the loss of their friend, the ambassador  The Sorry Project

Muslims for America - a worldwide group  Muslims for America 

Libyan Reaction - A report about the arrest of those responsible for the killing of the US Ambassador and  3 members of this staff, in continued support of the US. http://www.libyaherald.com/?p=14462