Thank you for your kindness in responding :D .. and I believe you when you say you are Jewish...I was just a bit shocked, if that makes any sense. I am very glad that what is happening in Iraq is giving the Iraqis the chance they need to rebuild their lives and country and I really hope that in doing so they will also have the opportunity and strength to weed out those destructive parts of Islam. You were right to point out that Christianity has had its destructive moments in history. I think our Western modernity has afforded us the luxury of no longer having to struggle with those parts that are destructive to our faith ie slavery, treatment of women, etc. Granted, there are forces still at work that serve to undermine the message both Jews and Christians recieve from the Torah and New Testament, but somehow, the concept that change has to be achieved through the more violent aspects of the faith has became something that we measure against, rather than in favor of.
I should probably read that last part to see if it makes sense, but its very late, and I dont thnk my brain would process LOL
anyway, many thanks for your time and patience. I will definitely be rereading your posts in the future.
G-d bless!