Many in our Western World might think that Muslims and terrorism are one and the same, but a recent article by Kenneth Bullen actually says that Americans approved more of terrorist acts against civilians than any major Muslim country in the world - with the exception of Nigeria. A survey conducted in December of 2006, by the University of Maryland's Program of International Public Attitudes revealed that only 46% of Americans think that "bombing and other attacks intentionally aimed at civilians are "never justified." Twenty-four percent of Americans believe these attacks are "often, or (at least) sometimes justified".

Polling results from the world's largest Muslim countries, conducted in 2006, reveal shockingly contrasting data. It was found in these polls that 74% of respondents in Indonesia agreed that terrorist attacks are "never justified". In Bangledesh that figure was up to 81% and in Pakistan that figure was the highest - up to 84%.

We Americans, however, are hardly what you would call "closet terrorist" sympathizers. Rather, we and other Westerners seem willing to believe the stereotypes about Muslims. Public Opinion surveys in the U.S. and Europe reveal that almost 50% of Westerners associate Islam with violence and Muslims with terrorists. There are so many radicals committing violence, in Islam's name, throughout the world, that this doesn't seem so surprising. We must remember that those are radicals, not the majority of Muslims or Islam. These stereotypes are misled by "simplistic media coverage," and are "detrimental to the war on terror."

"Far too frequent stereotyping of Muslims serves only to reinforce radical appeal of the small minority of muslims who peddle hatred of the West with others as authentic religious practice," states Bullen.

Terror Free Tomorrow's 20 + surveys of Muslim countries, from 2004-2007, reveal another "interesting suprise". Of the minority indicating support of terrorist attacks and bin Laden, most overwhelmingly thought more favorably of the U.S. as a result of American Humanitarian assistance in their countries: seventy-one percent of bin Laden supporters from Indonesia and 79% from Pakistan.

Bullen states that "supporters of bin Laden and other terrorism is more of a 'protest vote' against current US foreign policies - not a deeply held religious conviction or Anti-Western view."

He states that the "common enemy is violence and terrorism, not Muslims anymore than Christians or Jews." The enemies aren't recruiters who join gangs in the U.S. or terrorist cells in the Middle East, the "enemy is the violence they exalt."

Bullen goes on to state that "even those sympathetic to radical ideology can be won over by positive American actions promoting good will."

So what is Bullen's suggestion for winning the war on terror? He says that we must "defeat terrorists by isolating them from their own communities. He states that the most effective policies for doing that build on our common humanity, and that Muslims want peace just as much as we do.
I go back to 2 passages in the Bible. Whether you believe in God or not, or are a Christian or not, there are strong truths there:

Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Is this not also what Bullen is suggesting?

Matthew 5:30-44 says, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'thou shalt love they neighbor, and hate thine enemy'. But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you." Is this not the same as showing a humanitarian side, just as Bullen was suggesting?