THE PERVERSION OF ISLAM
By Emanuel McLittle MA
Islam, a gentle word that means "surrender," is the religion of choice for 1 billion people worldwide, 8 million of whom are Americans. It is also the religion associated with terrorism. The Taliban, the ruling party of Afghanistan, the Sheiks in other parts of the Middle East, are the radicals among Islam’s faithful. This is the religion Muslims say was handed down to God’s last prophet, Muhammad. So, how is it that millions have come to fear and hate them? The answer may only be found in the perversion of Islam. Like every other religion, Islam may have drunk too large a portion of the same poison that has corrupted all other religions — pride.
It is in America that Christians (2.5 billion worldwide), Jews and Muslims are said to enjoy the highest level of religious freedom in the world. But could that idea have gone up in smoke a few weeks ago? The attack on America was too easily explained away as the act of fanatics. What we are looking at could be a subtle form of religious war, one spirit fighting another, for supremacy.
Certainly, there have been violent clashes between Christians, Jews and Muslims for centuries. While historians were busy rewriting the motives for 3,000 years of bloodbaths, we remain deeply divided about who, the whereabouts and the purpose of the unseen God. But could an all-knowing God be the source of such confusion? Certainly not. His most powerful instruction for finding him is to "look within."
Religion is often a means of running away from God, sometimes behind masks of righteousness pretending humility. Clearly, the nation’s 8 million Muslims did not hijack planes and kill Americas. They should be treated with respect. They are no different from us. They are in need of religion’s antidote, the one that resides at the core of the human heart.
Emanuel McLittle has a Masters Degree and two decades of experience in Counseling Psychology. His keen insight, developed over 24 years, makes him qualified to deliver honest, unambiguous guidance.