New Years Resolution, Come Early

Normally for my New Years resolution, I address something that I hate and learn more about it. I typically learn that my hatred is always born of ignorance, and once I understand something, the hatred goes away, sometimes to be replaced by enjoyment.

This year, I will seek understanding still, but not about something that I dislike. This year I will complete my reading of The Bible, and then I will begin the Koran.

Here is what I do not understand: Islam is said to be a religion of peace. Why then are the people who kill and terrorize and seek domination called "Islamic Extremists?" Wouldn't the extremities of a religion of peace be an extreme level of peace rather than violence?

I want to understand Islam. I have a theory that Islam and Christianity are of the same God, but different messengers. How does Jesus fit into Islam? How does the teachings of their profits compare to the words of Christ? Will I find our gods to be different? Their messages will hold the answer.

Before I go into understanding Islam, however, I want to have at least a better understanding of my own religion. I have to finish the Bible first, to give me a point of reference.

Today I read the following passage:

..a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me.

John 16, NIB

Do Islamics know God, or are extremists misnamed impostors?

Disconnect

As I read the Bible, I notice a slight disconnect between what Jesus says and what people have been saying He says. Now, I'm just a human, so I'm not going to go judging folks and telling them their way is wrong. I have no illusions about how misguided I could be, though nor do I have any regarding the potential for correct beliefs in others.

I'm just saying. I mean, I haven't even completely read The Book yet.

Nowhere does it say you have to be totally OCD about God. I mean, love him above all other things: Done. Be the best person you could possibly be: Done. Treat everyone with the utmost respect and kindness: Working on it (hey, I said I'm not perfect already). What I do not read is that you have to focus yourself on God 24-7. If you feel you need to in order to express your absolute love for The Dude, then that's great. I just don't read anywhere where it's mandatory.

If anyone finds a passage, let me know.