What a sad day... what is it that makes you (as humans) sad and heartached for people you have never met. I cried... God be with London in their time of trouble.

As a Christian I believe that every human was originally intended to live in perfection. Since "the fall" of man (Genesis 3) evil has reigned but in our soul's we know that it was never meant to be this way and grieve when evil manifests on the innocent.

An awful day for the UK, indeed.

As for the comparison of the Crusades to such terrorist acts, the comparison is valid in the sense that much of Islam is in the same state as fourteenth century Christianity (the bigger problem, as Sam Harris points out, is that now we have 14th century thugs with 21st century weapons).

However, it's not so much that Christianity itself changed (the Bible is chock full of wanton slaughter and bloodshed at the behest of God), but that Christians (and Western culture) have changed for the better. You yourself said since "man has advanced." Until Islamic society can achieve the same, these angry-god terrorists will be a problem with which we have to deal.

P.S. Was great to meet you. :) We're in Vegas until the morning, and then off to LA - woo!

The Wee Fiona is adorable. A-dor-ab-le. And I thoroughly enjoyed talking with Nicky. I hope the remainder of the ride wasn't too difficult for her. Oh, and it was nice to meet you, too, sir, although I do hope your mother didn't thrash you too harshly.

Will come back and address the Crusades point.

Randy, I think this is one of the most difficult things to reconcile in faith: why bad/evil things are perpetrated on the innocent. Prayers for you, brother :D

Sally, I think we put ourselves in the shoes of humanity. Love you.

Very eloquently put. It is indeed a tragedy; and you are absolutely correct that the God of Christianity (throughout the ages) is not the god of the war-mongering Islamic factions. The God of Christianity has never demended the slaughter of unbelievers as a way to secure salvation...a point that many "anti-Christians" refuse to acknowledge.

My prayers also are with the families affected by today's attacks.

Thank you for your support. Us Brits are made of strong stuff, nobody is bowing down to these terrorists.

As for the other part, well Islam Christianity and Judaism are all Abrahamic faiths that recognise the prophets of the other respective religions.

The crusades were a result of Christians departing from the principles of their faith.