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Al Qaeda is the KKK

Shortly after the events of 9/11/2001, there was an excellent episode of The West Wing ("Isaac and Ishmael") talking about the events and how to think about them.  It was written hastily, and discussing the events directly was pretty gutsy, that short after the event.

Josh Lyman, talking to high school juniors and seniors, makes an SAT-style question: "'Islamic extremist' is to 'Islamic' as [blank] is to 'Christianity.'"  There are a few guesses -- religious fundamentalists, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.  Josh dismisses them (quite rightly), saying that, while the kids might disagree with what they do, those groups don't blow stuff up.  (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VatPKqTgzh4 .)

The correct answer is the Ku Klux Klan.  The Klan is a Christian terrorist group that has been operating since the middle of the 19th century (with a few decade hiatus at the turn of the 20th century).  It is widely known for killing people that disagree with it, often with religious symbols (such as burning crosses) used for hate.  If you are the wrong color, the wrong nationality, or of the wrong political persuasion, the Klan may well come after you.

Luckily, they do not hold the sway now that they did during Reconstruction.  (See how the clan is glorified in the classic movie, The Birth of a Nation.)  After two incarnations, they have been in decline for quite awhile, partly because of other Christians being outspoken against them ... and partly due to the old Superman show (really!).

Anyway, why is this important?  When we think of 9/11, or of attacks on our embassies, or other acts of terrorism, many people will talk about how these are "Muslim" attacks.  That is true in exactly the same way that lynchings in the South were the result of "Christian" attacks.  I think most Christians would say that the Klan does not represent Christianity -- I certainly hope so.  Extremist groups that claim the mantle of a religion do not define that religion.

The same is true of other religions.  If we think about it that way, we can target the groups that really do want to harm us, and try to avoid pissing off the rest of the world.  We can also stop trying to act patriotic by blaming religions and ethnic groups.  So, unless you would be okay with a history book describing the Reconstruction as when a group of Christians terrorized the South, please stop making the same mistake about Islam.

I guarantee you that we are safer as a country when we have more Islamic friends than enemies.  How do you think we were able to track down Saddam, and bin Laden, and the other terrorists?  Only good Christian intel?  Hardly.

As we remember the events that changed the world on September 11, 2001, and as we grieve for the victims in NYC, PA, and at the Pentagon, and their families and friends, let's keep focused on the best way to hold the right people accountable.  The victims deserve the best we can give them; our enemies deserve justice; and those that can join us in solidarity as our friends should not be pushed away through small-minded insensitivity.

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