Just my .02 cents

I think it was then I there I realized something was wrong with the American Dream. I'd been feeling it for quite sometime, but I had been unable to give vision to what was rolling through my head and churning in my heart. I don't pretend to know the answers, perhaps that's why I've returned to school, but I know this: "If peaceful revolution is made impossible, then violent revolution becomes inevitable." What I pray is that we are witnessing is a peaceful revolution in America, so that we may avoid a violent manifestation of the unrest and discontent stirring within us.

Picture an oxcart wheel. In the center, one finds the divine, eternal power, etc. On the outer rim entirely spread out are the peoples of the world. Each spoke from a culture or religion is the equivalent of that cultures experiences and oral history with the power in the center.

In other words, from the beginning of time man has attempted to explain his experience with the divine. Different peoples from different tribes and regions created their own stories and explanations for these experiences. Thus, we find ourselves with many different religions and sects, yet one can find common threads throughout of peace, love, humility, self knowledge, etc.

Islam follows the tribal lineage of Ishmael, Abraham's first and according to Judaism, illegitimate, son from his concubine Hagar. Judaism follows the tribal lineage of Isaac, Abraham's second son and first from his wife Sarah.

Judaism teaches the Messiah has yet to come. Islam teaches Mohammad was the Messiah or Great Prophet. Christianity teaches Jesus was the Messiah or Great Prophet.

I agree with TheraP that any claims to ownership over the one true God between these three religions is absurd. However, what strikes me as even more absurd is the bloodshed and hatred based upon a two and half millennia old sibling rivalry.