How Did We Get Here?

Less than a week ago, 76 Norwegians were killed after a man planned a car bomb in the government square of Norway and then dressed up as a police officer and shot and killed 68 kids at a youth camp close by.

I ask why.

Why did Anders Breivik decide on that July morning to get out of his beetle-infested home, take a whole bunch of drugs (allegedy) and kill 68 kids.

He would have you believe that it was his war against the Muslim invasion, something he admits Norway won't understand for 60 years. While his lawyers think he's likely insane.

I'm not sure believe either of those reasons, although I know a chunk of the population believes in the Muslim invasion theory. (I had a co-worker once who espoused 'white people will be the minority in Canada one day' to which I replied, 'aannnnd?')

But I would bet it would have more to do with how we see Islam in the first place.

Despite millions of messages of peace being spread by Imam's throughout the world, the majority of Western Civilization sees Islam as a hateful religion. Something that is unrelenting; unmoving; and just plain wrong.

I received an e-mail the other day from a friend which confirmed as much,

"I'm tired of being told that Islam is a "Religion of Peace," when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family "honor"; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't "believers"; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for "adultery"; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Qur'an and Shari'a law tells them to."

This friend is not considered a fundamentalist Christian, though she has Christian values.

The way we perceive Islam is the reason people fight against it. Even sometimes in extreme cases, like the case of Anders Breivik.

You think that's a stretch? Think most believe Islam is peaceful?

Who did the media and 'terror specialists' point their fingers at first when the bomb exploded in Oslo?

If you thought it was a radical anti-Islam 'Crusader,' you'd be the only one.