What is it about Islam that seems to breed terrorism? First, we need to realize that the same question could have been asked of Christianity by the Muslims and Jews of the Middle East nearly 1,000 ago as Europe engaged in a number of Crusades. The idea behind them was much the same as that behind modern Islamic terrorism: corrupt, ambitious leaders played upon the religious convictions of their followers in order to convince them that going to war and slaughtering thousands of innocent people was God's will (as well as being an effective way to expand territory and political power). Any true Christian who understands the nature of the Gospel of Jesus Christ would certainly renounce the Crusades as ungodly. Other issues related to the above question involve technology, both of weapons and communication. Still, there are some fundamental differences between Biblical Christianity and Islam that should be considered when dealing with the nature of terrorism.

Terrorism survives in the modern world because of modern media. A given act of terrorism can literally make world wide news within moments. Thus, a relatively small group of people can have a much greater impact on the population at large than would have been the case even 50 years ago. The world watched video footage of the World Trade Center devastation either a few minutes after it occurred, or even live. This unprecedented level of exposure is exactly what the terrorists want to achieve. They believe that by getting as many people to see the plight (whether real or imagined) of those the terrorists are fighting for they will gain some sort of favor for their cause. Or, it may be the terrorists seek to draw attention to what they feel is an injustice. Or, an attack may simply be an act of pure spite or vengeance, as is the case with the 9/11 attacks. Such high profile events can become a rallying point, garnering support for terrorists from those who might not even be aware of their group. At the very least, the publicity draws attention to the group, and thus to the country, religion or people the group associates itself with. Many Muslims feel the WTC/Pentagon attacks have been justified by increased attention on the Israeli/Palestinian issue. Sadly, there is some truth to this. May Americans who otherwise gave little thought to the situation in the Middle East are now aware of what is happening.

Technology has also brought the capability for terrorists to strike places they wouldn't normally have been able to decades ago, and with weapons far more destructive than in previous years. Chemical, biological and nuclear weapons remain the biggest fear. There is substantial evidence that al-Qaeda was working to develop all three types of weapons, and possibly succeeded in purchasing small nuclear devices. Terrorism seems such a profound threat today because a determined group of individuals can cause far greater destruction than has ever before been possible.

But, why is it Islamic terrorists who seem to be involved in the most heinous acts? Part of the answer lies in the number of terrorists. Though the various Islamic terrorist groups make up a minuscule percentage of Muslims (less than 0.001% of the 1.3 billion Muslims in the world), that percentage is still enough to involve thousands of men determined to wreak destruction at all costs. Also, because so many Islamic nations have oil-based wealth that is either directly or indirectly used to support terrorist groups, Muslim terrorist organizations are able to do much more than other groups that lack such funding.

But, ultimately, it is Islam itself that, albeit unintentionally, encourages such behavior. The only assurance a Muslim has of entrance into Paradise is to die as a martyr, preferably fighting a jihad.. Otherwise, no matter how righteous a life he has lived, he may find himself refused entrance by Allah because of some overlooked sin or failure. Dozens of men willingly flew airliners into buildings because of their belief that it would guarantee their places in Paradise. Furthermore, because the Quran does in fact encourage violence against those who are considered either oppressors of the poor or enemies of the Prophet Muhammad, and thus Allah, wealthy nations such as America are prime targets for using violence to redress wrongs. Many Muslims believe that any economic, social and political problems in their own countries, or even the world at large, are directly the result of American greed and arrogance. Having such a world view makes it easy for many Muslims to therefore justify, and even applaud, terrorist acts because such violence is encouraged by Allah.

Still, there are spiritual roots that go even deeper. Islam is a works-based religion. It has a severe form of morality that dehumanizes women. The demands placed on both sexes to earn a place in Paradise, yet still face Judgment Day with no absolute assurance of salvation creates a sense of pervading fear that underlies all they do and say. Fear, by it's nature, leads people to attempt to control others in order to try to control the fear. It is this root of fear that truly leads to the irrational acts of violence that are the hallmark of Islamic terrorists.

Finally, there is the reality that the spiritual forces behind Islam are adamantly opposed to both Israel and Jesus Christ. Both the Church and Israel represent God's covenant of Grace and Forgiveness. Both concepts, as taught by the Holy Bible, are incompatible with Islam. The spirit of Islam seeks to exalt itself against Jesus Christ, who is the Son of the Living God, and thus God and King Himself.

Yet Jesus died for the sake of these same men who seek to so violently impose their will on others. God's desire is for even Osama bin Laden to be reconciled to Himself through Jesus Christ. Christians shouldn't pray against terrorists, but against their actions. Pray for their salvation, and that of all Muslims, because they are no greater sinners than any of us in the eyes of God. We all need Jesus, and Jesus died for us all.