Some of the posters, here, suggest a level of hatred that reminds one of the Thirty Years War in Germany. It was not pretty, but it was justified on similar theological intolerance. While I certainly do not agree with the criticism of Judaic and Christian values, that some say are inscribed within the Muslem shrine, it was a belief that Judaism and Christianity had become corrupt that inspired some of the early Muslem firment. Answer their argument, by all means, but do not beg the question by hurling epithets back, against whatever isolated phrases you may quote out of context.
The terrorists today are fanatics. Fanatics are not limited to any one faith. As we root out this set of fanatics, and bring justice to them, let us not help recruit other fanatics by persecuting people who simply come from a similar religious background. The destruction of those Buddhas in Afganistan was an atrocity. So were some of the actions of Savonarola, who spoke no better for true Christianity than the Taliban do for Islam.
The idea of spitefully destroying someone else's ancient shrines, is no way to promote your own Faith; no way to honor God; and above all, since some of you feel the need to preach, no way to reach any of the unconverted and bring them to your Faith. Nothing could be more counter-productive. Some of you need to take a cold shower and stop and think.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site