Islam and me

A certain man was walking from Ottawa to Washington and fell amongst thieves. They robbed him, beat him and left him for dead. A Canadian walked by and when he saw the injured man, crossed the road. An American, too, walked on the other side. A Muslim, walking along the road, saw the man and took pity on him, bound his wounds and took him to a hospital. He paid the bill for the man's healing and went on his way. ...

As I hear the news about the Americans in Iraq, the Canadians in Afghanistan (we’ve lost a bunch of soldiers there in active combat with the Taliban) and recent arrests in Toronto of radical Islamic men training and purchasing explosive, I am intrigued about my reaction. I live a block from a Mosque. I see Islamic people coming and going. I wrestle with the judgement: Muslim = Terrorist.

What Would Jesus Do? How do I temper my judgement? I have been taught (explicitly and implicitly) that Islam is a violent religion. Their history of expansion is through the sword. To die in Allah’s name is a sure-way to paradise. Is this true? Or, more accurately, how do I look at my neighbours with the love of Jesus?

Just a bunch of questions I am wrestling with.
David