A recent letter to the editor noted that “Wikipedia silent on communication with God in today’s world.” According to the writer, a single verse of the Quran (2:72) denying the death of Christ on the cross places the whole book in question.

Such a statement can be made by any non-believer in any holy scripture. Hindus, Jews and Buddhists believe that the New Testament and the Quran are complete fabrications. I disagree, however, that according to the Quran, Jesus was taken up alive to heaven. True, most Muslims believe so, but it is a later incorporation in the Islamic beliefs. It occurred in the early period of Islam when Christian populations of Syria, Egypt and Palestine, etc., who believed in the ascension of Jesus, accepted Islam. The Quran simply says that the soul of Jesus was taken to Allah.

Muslims do not believe in the “death of Christ on the cross” because of many verses in the Quran and the Bible. First, according to the Bible, a person dying on the cross becomes accursed. Second, Jesus was on the cross for a short period of three to six hours. Third, God planned to save Jesus from the accursed death. A vision was shown to Pilate’s wife that led her to tell Pilate not to execute Jesus. Jesus’ execution would amount to the failure of God’s plan. Also, Jesus said that he had to tend to the rest of the flock, meaning the 10 lost tribes of Israelites. Had he died on the cross, then he would have failed in his stated mission. This does not happen to the emissaries of God.

In short, the Quran and the Bible provide evidence to establish the high status of Jesus by denying his death on the cross. The assertion of the writer, Mr. Beagle, that Jews, Christians and anyone else who does the will of God will achieve victory is true without a doubt. God created his children to be successful if they follow His commandments. Unfortunately, the writer’s anti-Islam rhetoric casts doubts on this factual statement.

How can people achieve victory by vanquishing other humans? Did Peter and Paul achieve their everlasting victories in this manner? The true victory is achieved through spreading peace, prosperity, love and unity. It is achieved through making sacrifices for one’s fellow humans and not by using missiles and suicide bombers. Even a superficial analysis of the world situation would show that now, Jesus having returned, no political or religious problem can be solved using military might. It is the time to turn the swords into plowshares. Those who insist on turning their plowshares into swords are not likely to achieve victory. They are trying to portray the merciful, loving, almighty God as a sadistic Greco-Roman mythological god who relishes smelling the blood and tears of His own children.

For all of us, the citizens of this blessed nation, it is time to ponder. Carrying on anti-Islam propaganda to create hatred against a well-integrated minority because some extremist elements have done wrong is not the right policy. The war of civilization being promoted by some interested groups will bankrupt our nation. Russia, flush with oil money, and China, an upcoming superpower, are waiting in the wings to win over the world’s billion Muslims. A constant barrage of anti-Islam propaganda will push the Muslim world into their arms. It is time to ensure a strong defense of our country, but also to sit down with the Muslim countries to understand and resolve the problem of terrorism, which affects them as much as it does us.

Abdul Aziz, a member of the Amadiyya Movement in Islam, lives in Arcata.