It has been said many times that the only way to judge something is to look at the results. When I see the Middle East I can see the results of Islamic radicalism. At one time the entire area had become a Mecca for travelers seeking to witness things that were built not only recently, but in times of antiquity beyond written history. The very age of the Sphinx is in question by many. Oil was the other thing which drew people to the region. It created the revenue with which they could cash in on their heritage. What an incredible set of circumstances for a people to be born into. As the oil added to the economy they began to build cities that rivaled those in western civilization and actually put ours to shame. That region was on the top of the travelers list as the place to drop their money and really let go while basking in the beginnings of the world.

     This was built under the tutelage and power of Islam. What is Islam and what is the religion based on? How about we look at the five tenets of Islam to understand it? First let me state I’m a Christian and don’t agree with them or their view of my religion or savior. I am also in very strong disagreement with the level of anti-Semitism expressed by many of its followers. But that’s not the subject of the article is it? Here are the five tenets of Islam. I want you to notice what’s missing.


     Al-Shahadah, or Testimony: This is similar to the Christian religion and is an open statement of beliefs. The Islamic statement is quite simply “There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is His Prophet.” Through this public profession of faith the individual becomes a member of the Islamic community. There is also the belief in a general resurrection and judgment.

     Al-Salah, or Prayer: Each Muslim is required to pray five times a day. This is considered the backbone of Islam by many scholars. There is a prescribed manner for these prayers. Inseparable from these prayers is Tahara. The cleanliness of the place, clothes and body are required or the prayers are rendered null and void.

     Al-Siyam, or Fasting: This requires complete abstinence from food and sex for certain periods of time. One of those times is Ramadan. It is supposed to train the followers to be disciplined, patient and wise. This happens in the ninth month of their calendar which is supposed to coincide with the time at which Muhammad received his first revelation.

     Al-Zakat, or Almsgiving: A large amount of stress in the Quran is laid on Zakat. Almsgiving is quite important to them and it is to be given to those who are deserving of it. (I would like to add a personal note here. We Christians have the same problem they do in this regard. How many times have you heard of a person giving to a ‘Christian cause’ only to discover later that the cause wasn’t in the slightest bit Christian. The onus is on the giver to determine whether the alms are going where they’re supposed to be going. That includes the Muslims who are in the news quite often for giving to the wrong charity.)

     Al-Hajj, or the Pilgrimage: The last tenet of Islam is the Pilgrimage to Mecca. During the Dhu al-Hajira Muslims the world over seek to travel to Mecca to perform the rituals in the same manner as their Prophet, Muhammad.

     I’m relatively certain everyone noticed the complete absence of any references to blowing oneself up or commandeering a plane load of people to fly into a building to strike out at the infidels. The killing of women and children of any people who are considered to be of “The Book” is a sin to those that follow the true tenets of Islam. The religions of “The Book” are Islam, Judaism and Christianity. The perverted version draws on people who have no real future or are desiring hoori, which are the numerous virgins they are promised. That and having all of your victims who you took out in your personal act of jihad as your servants in heaven is the primary payment they are promised. This promise is made to them by a group of people that ignore some of the most basic tenets of the religion.

     Radical Islam can be judged by its fruits. All of the great cities in the Middle East are being turned to rubble and ruin by followers of a phony and radical religious teaching. It has taken a silk purse and created a sow’s ear. Fortunately it is a minority who espouse this radicalism, particularly now that we are actually going after the perpetrators.

     Many say that the Muslims aren’t speaking out loudly enough against the radical version of Islam. I’m not so sure I agree with that. When McVeigh was hoisted aloft as the penultimate Christian radical, I didn’t say too much. I simply gave the media the New York taxi driver’s wave. I don’t support the liberal media in any way. They, just like the radical fundamentalists of Islam, are Socialists and Communists. Don’t support them in any way. Let them starve. If they aren’t starved out they will make of us a sow’s ear with all of their demagogue abuses of the First Amendment.