Immorality not alone in fueling Islamic extremists

I am writing in response to the article in The Christian Index, "U.S. Immorality Fuels Terrorism." (Feb. 17, p. 19). While I agree that immorality in America is becoming more widespread, I have to disagree with the premise this article presents in leading readers to believe this is the main reason the U.S. has come under terrorism by Islamic factions.

There are many documented facts that show Muslims believe their main objective in life is to force all mankind to submit to Islamic rule. The Koran clearly states that a Muslim must lead all people to become Islamic and submit themselves to Allah and the teachings of the Koran. If a person does not submit they should be killed.

The U.S. has become a target, not solely due to a slide toward an immoral society, but because we are a Christian nation. Your article does not attribute this fact in any way as a reason for aggression against us. The terrorists would not stop because we force our nation to return to a 'Mayberry' type lifestyle, bring prayer back in school, dictate what is seen and heard on the airwaves and put manager scenes and Christmas songs back in public parks and schools. These things have to be wanted by a society, by individuals, not forced. No, the terrorists would only stop if we force our nation to become a Muslim nation and live, not according to the Holy Bible, but according to the Koran.

First, and foremost, we are targeted because we are still seen as and reflect to others as a Christian nation. We have a president who openly speaks of a relationship with Christ, we pray in our governmental chambers, and still hold up the right for everyone to believe as they want, whether Christian or atheist or Muslim.

Editor's note: The Christian Index asked Emir Caner, former Sunni Muslim and highly regarded authority among Southern Baptists on the Islamic faith, for his comments on the letter writer's statements. Caner, who is a faculty member at Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C., responded:

Today, our immorality may exacerbate the problem, but it is not the cause of the problem."