Why is it that in 2015, we are still seeing stories about terroristic attacks happening all over the world on the news?
The world was struck with disappointment, fear, sorrow and grief Friday when a series of devastating attacks were launched in Paris. Over 400 people were injured and 129 people lost their lives.
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Do you remember how you felt when the September 11 attacks happened? Do you remember what kind of state our country was in? Do you remember the widespread panic that took over?
That is how France is feeling right now. France has even declared a state of emergency for the first time since 2005. It has become the first European Union country to request the mutual defense clause to be invoked.
That article has never even been used before. That is the state of widespread panic that France is in right now.
This all happened because of ISIS. The attacks on Paris are just another sad, ruthless example of religion gone wrong.
The fact that one group could be so merciless, cruel and unreasonable is downright ridiculous.
ISIS operates under an extreme interpretation of Islam – and condemns anybody who doesn’t completely agree with them.
Coming from a person who has never been religious, I almost can’t even comprehend the reasoning behind this terrorist organization.
Even though I’m not religious, I do fully support people who choose to be. I am a firm believer in personal freedom – you should have the right to choose how you live your life, even if I don’t personally agree with what you believe in.
My beliefs seem to be the opposite to the beliefs of ISIS. I think that the entire world and everybody in it needs to calm down and take it down a notch on everything.
ISIS is the worst example of religion and gives Islam an extremely bad reputation.
It’s gotten to the point where the Western World is afraid of anybody who is even remotely associated with Islam. We automatically assume that people who wear hijabs or turbans are associated with terrorism.
I am all for religion, but have you ever heard of too much of a good thing? Being an extreme anything is never a good idea.
As there is a right way and a wrong way to do anything, the same is true for religion.
One of my favorite ways to explain this was written and published by The Oatmeal, which is an online comic website.
In this specific comic, he asks “Would you kill for your religion? Would you hurt, hinder or condemn in the name of your God? If so, you probably suck at your religion.”
Being religious is fine. Being religious and condemning people who don’t believe the same thing as you is not fine.
If your religion inspires you to help people and/or it makes you happier, then by all means, carry on.

SAMANTHA GRISWOLD
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