[risk]

Every religious group has some end-of-the-world prophecies, but they don't all go flying passenger planes into American skyscrapers.

And Christians who are deeply concerned about end times are interested in converting people by faith, not by force. There are several competing doctrines, but none of the commonly-followed ones in post-Enlightenment times call for killing a race of people, nor do they call for threatening individuals in order to convert them.

The roots of Christian tolerance are found in the story of Christ's sacrifice. His death changed the tenor of God's enforcement of his requirements, a common belief held among all Christian denominations.

There is a difference between waging a world war to defend a culture (the west) after it's been attacked, and genocide for its ideological sake (extreme Islam).

[risk]

My apologies to the devout for representing their convictions. I encourage them to clarify my statements on the basis of faith, which I respect and honor.

[SupplySider]

And Christians who are deeply concerned about end times are interested in converting people by faith, not by force.

I appreciate this point. And Islam's track record throughout history and around the world speaks for itself.Still, on reading this piece, I think it is striking that there are some big similarities in point of view among the more literal-minded of both faiths.

A sincere question, not meant to criticize or provoke: if and when some Christian sects percieve that the final battle between good and evil is beginning, will they feel bound to fight? And might some groups feel we are close to that now?