This is not my usual blog material. I am not able to write on those subjects at the moment. It is more of a personal observation. It's is, however, about one of the forbidden subjects: Religion.

I am having a hard time reconciling things I see on the news and the internet with what I have seen with my own eyes. I see videos of radical Muslims saying they want violence. They want bloodshed in the name of Allah. I see people who have "escaped" Islam crying out to warn people of the dangers of that religion. I know that there really must be people that feel this way.

On the other hand, I have met Muslims. Spent time around them. Worked with them. Listened to them answer my questions about their religion. They have all been mild mannered, quiet, and friendly. One guy, Mustapha, worked on my crew. He said he preferred working for me, a woman, than the other leads. I respected his wishes. Things like no unnecessary physical contact. I am one of those people who would put my hand on someone's shoulder while explaining their job, or other contact. I didn't do that with Mustapha. It wasn't an issue. He was one of the most honest, hardworking people I had. Another guy explained the reason women walk behind the men. He said it was a protective measure for most. If there was a danger, the men would be in front to protect the women and children. Kind of like the few American men left with manners walk closest to the street when walking on a sidewalk with a woman.

I look at the blanket title of "Christian" in the United States. There are Catholics, Protestant, Pentecostal, Baptists, Methodists, Lutheran, Mormon, Messianic, Jehovah's Witnesses. All of them claim to be Christian, but are very different in ideology and actions. They even get insulted when they are lumped together under the same title as others who claim the title of Christian. Tell a Baptist they are the same as a Mormon and see what reaction you get.

People like to quote things in the Koran that instruct followers to be violent and mistreat women and children. I would like to point out things in the Christian bible that compare.

Kill People Who Don't Listen to Priests

Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)

Kill Witches

You should not let a sorceress live. (Exodus 22:17 NAB)

Kill Homosexuals

"If a man lies with a male as with a women, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." (Leviticus 20:13 NAB)

Kill Fortunetellers

A man or a woman who acts as a medium or fortuneteller shall be put to death by stoning; they have no one but themselves to blame for their death. (Leviticus 20:27 NAB)

Death for Hitting Dad

Whoever strikes his father or mother shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:15 NAB)

Death for Cursing Parents

1) If one curses his father or mother, his lamp will go out at the coming of darkness. (Proverbs 20:20 NAB) 2) All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense. (Leviticus 20:9 NLT) Death for Adultery If a man commits adultery with another man's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. (Leviticus 20:10 NLT)

Death for Fornication

A priest's daughter who loses her honor by committing fornication and thereby dishonors her father also, shall be burned to death. (Leviticus 21:9 NAB)

Death to Followers of Other Religions

Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)

Kill Nonbelievers

They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)

Kill Brats

From there Elisha went up to Bethel. While he was on his way, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him. "Go up baldhead," they shouted, "go up baldhead!" The prophet turned and saw them, and he cursed them in the name of the Lord. Then two shebears came out of the woods and tore forty two of the children to pieces. (2 Kings 2:23-24 NAB)

Source:http://www.evilbible.com/Murder.htm#Sabbath

As difficult as it is to read some things, and I could explain away part of it, this webpage makes a lot of good points. I am forced to conclude that some Muslims take the Koran literally, and the Christians that think they are evil are unaware of the actual content of the bible. I don't look down on anyone for their religion, only their actions. I don't believe all Muslims are violent any more than I believe Christians would stone an adulterer. And yes, I know, Jesus came to change all of that. It is still the same God of the old testament that ordered people to kill for reasons we think are barbaric today.