Philosophy of a "Genius"

I'm the kind of person who can strike up conversation with just about anyone. I was talking with a man recently who considers himself to be VERY wise. Some of his views I share, but many of his opinions made me feel ill inside. "All Muslims hate Americans. They have war in their blood and they will always do acts of violence" he said. "They are evil and they want us all dead". I told him that I have ethical, peace-loving Muslim friends and that I do not believe his philosophy. Yes, there are some extreme Islamic Terrorists, but there are many ethical, open-hearted Muslims out there who are seeking just like me. I love them. He then went on to say, "There is no salvation for those people". To which I said, "How can any of us judge?" God is love. That is what I know. He loves ALL people and He wants to give them peace in their hearts and a home in Paradise. God never stops inviting hearts to come to Him- even when man has given up on fellow man. This guy seemed to be very narrow-minded in his worldview. He doesn't have many friends for this reason and I felt very sad for him. He believes he will be in Heaven someday, but would he be happy in a place where love is the only rule? Gut check: would you or I??

Christian, let us not forget that we are sinners in need of Grace. Remember the Crusades of long ago? Who was the terrorist then?? The longer I live, I see the great wisdom in the words of Christ and a need for child-like humility and less finger-pointing. Put young children of all races & religious backgrounds on a playground and unless their heads are full of hateful agenda, they will play nicely together. You will see the little girls holding hands, you will see the Mexican high-5 with whites, Asians, African-americans. They are innocent and their worldview has not been distorted yet.
Jesus be-friended those people whom the religious of His day frowned upon. Remember the Samaritan woman, the Tax Collectors? Remember the Syro-phonecian lady? The (pagan) Roman centurion whose servant was dying? Think of the prostitute who fell under judgement at the feet of Jesus. He said, "The man who hasn't sinned can cast the first stone". Isn't it wonderful how the outcast women recognized the humble Christ. Those who reject the idea of a merciful God have not yet seen the depth of their own weakness.

Often in religion, we become barricaded behind ethnicity or this church sign or that. We never mingle outside our own small bubble. So we also become narrow-minded. We then say things like, "All non-whateverurchurchis are in the dark. They are slackers and they are lost." I hear things like this nearly every time I go to church. (This is a VERY narrow religious view- one I held for many years- because that's what I was taught.) God is my teacher now. He is bigger than all of us. He loves His children intensely- yes, even those who seem hopelessly lost. Often by our words and actions, we paint the heart of God as being very small. I must ask both myself and my philosophical friend, "Is there room in God's kingdom for an arrogant person with such outspoken prejudice?" Just thinking outloud here.