You know MrKim, I actually agree with you on all counts. I am just a stickler for us trying to improve our understanding of things and people such as the Muslims so we can gain a better perspective and know what we are really up against. Kind of a know thy enemy thing.

Yes, Sharia law is definitely an integral part of current Muslim politics and popular beliefs among many Muslims and it is sad to me because like I've tried to point out, it is not really what Islam was intended to be all about in the first place from what little I know about it. I am not defending Islam, I do not believe in Islam and I personally think it has rapidly devolved into a socio-political nightmare much faster than other major religions have. But I also know that there are some believers in Islam that are very good and well intentioned people and they are sincere and peaceful about their religion. I'm sure you are aware of that but unfortunately the proof is in the putting and what we see in the world gives a very bleak and negative and destructive slant to the Muslim community. I do not blame Americans at all for being jaded about Islam because what we see of it is pretty bad right now. I would like to awaken into a world not devoid of religion but one where we no longer used religions as an excuse to do evil in the world and give religion it's proper place, that being for the spiritual development and edification of the believers and help them become better people from it on an individual basis.

I don't want us Americans to be victims of the terrorists (Muslim or otherwise) and I think when we react with thoughts of violent retribution (whether deserved or not) we might be missing out and have actually been caught up in the intended outcome of terrorist's actions. In other words we have already been terrorized. What do we do now? I think learning as much about the threat as we can is a good step. I don't think promoting incorrect beliefs and assumptions about the entire Muslim population in the world is a good thing, especially when it leans toward more violence and mistrust when what we need to do is find non-violent methods of battling the problem. Sure, some cases call for violence and it is right and just, but lets not give up entirely on the effort to find other ways of thinking and dealing with the problem. If the problem is ideological in nature then we should take an ideological approach to it as well.