After taking several deep breaths, I wish to apologize for what I said.
I just feel like we're no longer Americans: we're targets.
It's frustrating. Sometimes frustration comes out. After a scene like today...it came out.
Sorry 'bout that.
Apology accepted. The world can be frustrating,
It is truly a cultural clash. We have been indoctrinated to believe all religions are these sort of nice, little, personal fantasies.
But what do you do about a religion that has a central tenet to exterminate all people who aren't part of your religion?
When that happens, as it has with Muslims, religion is no longer a personal, private affair, a path towards growth and redemption.
It becomes public. And hostile. And warlike.
IMHO, you raise points that are interesting. We cannot fix the problem by ignoring it. Yet we cannot admit to ourselves the truth of what is happening.
Understandable. It's difficult to fight the hate aimed at us.
Slightly OT, on your "doing good for mankind" question, depending upon how deeply we delve into the meaning of that question, there might not be many of us that fit the bill. ;)
If you have not read it yet, I would refer you to The Why Cafe by Strelecky. Short book, it asks just three questions: Why are you here? Do you fear death? Are you fulfilled?