<p>Wasn’t it Pat Robertson who said “when evangelization efforts meet with chronic resistance, extermination should follow”? This doesn’t suggest that his particular theology is about peace, love, forgivenes and coexistence.</p>
<p>I think when we look at the causes of violence and terrorism coming from the Islamic and Arab world right now, we need to look at more than just the Koran. I think it is unfortunate that many here have claimed that the violence is simply the result of a particular theology, when, in fact, there are many cultural, political, economic and historical forces at work. The theology of the extremists exploit these forces.</p>
<p>I don’t necessarily think there is something particular to Christian or Jewish theology that limits violence in the name of a particular religion. I think that right now, given the economic, political and military position of predominantly Christian countries–the US and Western Europe–there is less impetus for these forces of violence than in the Arab and Muslim world. </p>
<p>It is simply too simplistic to say that current terrorist acts are the fault of Islamic theology and what is written in the Koran. We have to ask ourselves why do statements such as Robertson’s above have less of an impact than similar statements from Islamic fundamentalists?</p>