Ishmael, the Sacrifice of Abraham :: Islam History Religion Religious Papers

Ishmael, the Sacrifice of AbrahamIntroductionThe tragedy of strained relations between Islamic and Judeo-Christian countries is a commence of everyday life. angiotensin converting enzyme need only pick up a newspaper or check the news story of the day via television, radio, or mesh to learn of the latest violent attack by a suicide bomber or military retaliation on such an attack. The terrorist attacks have been perpetrated by countries that are predominantly Islamic with the counter attacks coming from a well-armed Israel, supported by US arms sales as well as US silence. Arecent CNN talk show byline queried, Are we at war with Islam? One does sometimes wonder. Israel has long held a policy of counter attack to deal with terrorists harbored by governments of inhabit countries. Following 9/11, the United States government adopted this policy. As part of this new policy the US military went after terrorists in Afghanistan and destroyed the rurals infrastructure as well as in nocent civilians in the process. In early 2003, Iraq was attacked for the same reasons, with the same resulting damage. Terrorism directed against Iraqis and Coalition forces as well as military retaliation by Coalition forces continues to make the headlines in occupied Iraq. The cycle of violence continues.To say the cause of political corrasion in the Middle East is due to religious differences is too simplistic as well as unduly inflammatory. Other things come into play, such as protection of US interests involving energy production, and even control of the water supply by Israel and its neighboring countries. However, to say the violence has nothing to do with religious differences denies the outgoing 4,000 years of history.Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, three of the worlds great religions, have their roots as well their holiest places in the Middle East. All three religions revere Abraham as a common ancestor. Yet all three have had bloody interchanges throughout history. How and why did Abrahams children become such a dysfunctional family? Where is divinity fudge in this family feud? Finding answers to these theological questions that could help provide a peaceful future are important for all. Conflicts surrounding this family of God involve more people and places than were involved even 50 years ago. For example, currently there are more Muslims living in the United States than Methodists (Geisler and Saleeb, 2001).1The Story of IshmaelOne must wonder what event or events provided such fertile ground for violence and bad feelings to thrive?