Islam and terror attacks

Sir, – Brian Patterson while defending Islam (Letters, November 21st) from inspiring the Paris terror attacks, states that in all religions "justification for such actions can be found in the scriptures", which is a common argument heard, but one which is factually false.

Looking at the Bible for example, of course one can find horrible stories in the Old Testament, but in no way does this transcend into one believing that they must hurt, kill, rape or harm other people. The idea that all religions are the same, that they all hold the same views on free thinkers, human rights, and promote living in a pluralistic society is completely incorrect.

People in the West are unable to take the terrorists at their word when the terrorists say they commit these savage acts in the name of their religion, while pointing to the scripture for justification.

Secularists just cannot understand that people actually believe these things, that they actually look at the Koran as the word of God and follow the instructions inside, even when they blow themselves up or dance on the streets celebrating their children’s death as they commit these acts.

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Boko Haram, Hamas, Islamic State also known as Isis, Hezbollah, al-Qaeda, to name but a few, all commit their terror acts in the name of their religion.

To suggest that these people, who devote their entire lives to their religion, don’t know what they are talking about, is rather foolish . – Yours, etc,

DERMOT COOPER,

Causeway Bay,

Hong Kong.

Sir, – It intrigues me that so many of your correspondents give the impression they are well-informed on Islam.

I would like to enquire how many of them have at least read the Koran? Not many I would assume. – Yours, etc,

JOSEPH FALLOON

Blackrock,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – Eamonn McCann (Opinion: "Islamic State's actions are rooted in religion", November 19th) is guilty of exactly the same human tendency that Isis terrorists are deluded by. That is, taking a few lines of scripture out of context, ignoring the spirit of the whole body of teaching and using it to justify our own entrenched views.

I would direct him to another passage of scripture that may have escaped his notice: “Before you take the splinter out of the eye of another, you need to take the log out of your own”.

– Yours, etc,

DENISE COLEMAN

Model Farm Road,

Cork.