You people really need to understand the mentality of religion, both now, and in a historical context. The whole reason religion ever came into being, was because people by nature, need an answer to the question "what is the point of my existence?" From the neanderthals who barely had a language, to the Greeks, Romans, the middle ages and so on. People always wanted something to grasp on to to explain "why". Muslim and Christianity are by no means the first groups who created a story to try and get people to "believe". It's been going on as long as people have been around, and more often than not, they search out the lowest common denominator as their target audience.
So when you say that all Muslims are terrorists who hate America, it's a fallacy. Just like when you say all Christians are understanding and caring, that's just not true. Most of the people who you find in the "radical" sector of ANY religion, are the ones who have nothing else in their life to grasp on to. They are the ones who are most likely to lean to the radical and outside views of their respective religions, mostly because that gives them the most "control".
Look at a lot of the people in the middle east who are considered "terrorists". Most of them are in countries with civil and political unrest, with no education and no career in which they can hang their hat. In the booming metropolis' of the middle east (i.e. Dubai, Tel Aviv, etc) you have people who are very similar to us in the States. Somewhat educated, with a stable income, small family, and usually some kind of religion in their life, but only to the extent that is gives them a feeling of hope. In the middle east and south east Asia, Muslim is the majority. In these higher income families, they are all usually pretty centrist. Just like in the United States. Most of my friends and family are white, upper middle class people, who some attend church, but by no means are fanatical one way or another.
However, where I came from in South Carolina, you have a more concentrated number of those who could fall under the "radical" sector of Christianity. There were a number of white supremist groups who said their Christian God was telling them to do the things they did. Also, coincidentally, most of them were uneducated, from the back country, looking for a group to fit in with, since modern society wasn't in their immediate future.
Just like when you take a look at the guy who demonstrates at soldiers funerals. They are a small, radical group, of mostly uneducated, white folks, who keep to themselves and stay hidden for the most part.
Now lets go to Pakistan, and Iran, Iraq, etc. Most of these people are uneducated, they are poor, they have no future, and then comes along someone who can promise a future. He can promise food, shelter, a purpose. They do this in the name of Islam.
That's where I become enraged with most ignorant Americans. What you need to understand, is that these radicalist sects are not Muslim scholars. Their not even really people who really fully understand what being a "Muslim" actually is. They are these men who have nothing else to turn to, so they go where the easiest escape is. A lot of the time, these radical sects are just that. Then, they get a gun, a feeling of power, and before you know it, you have a radical.
Instead of blaming "Muslim", we ought to blame their society. With proper education and schooling, jobs and careers, there wouldn't be a need for the radical sect. Look at the US, Japan, China, Brazil, most of modern Europe. We don't have this problem.
It's the exact same reason I have been drawn away from my church lately. We have these missions trips all over the world, where we are supposed to "spread the gospel". Yet the church is extremely selective as to who they target. They choose to go to Africa, where running water is a luxury. And then of course they do the whole "we'll provide you with water and food, so long as you let us build a chapel and tell you about Jesus Christ". Talk about a captive audience.
If Jesus is really someone who you should feel in your heart, why not take it to colleges, places of intellect, high income areas, etc to spread the word? Why hold it over their heads in exchange for basic needs? There are plenty of places around here that could use Jesus, yet my church (and most churches) tend to go where life is really bad, and people are in need of something...
Wrapping this up, I just think it's really sad that the 10%-90% rule applies way too often. It's the 10% that are the bad ones, yet the other groups act like 90% of the people are the ones who act that way. This is across the board... Ignorance is bliss eh?
