The world continues to be a very dangerous place. Bomb-laden Palestinians turn themselves into walking missiles that kill Israeli citizens. Hindus rage against Muslims in India as both sides argue over "holy ground." And America pushes ahead in its War on Terror, trying to preempt the next big attack. Those who seethe with anger toward America will not cease and desist from their goal of complete destruction of the world's most powerful nation. While some embrace a cult of death, those who cherish life seek to preserve liberty and freedom. Where will it end? In this issue of World News and Prophecy we examine the question: "Is Islam a violent religion?" There is no question that Islam has had a violent past, just as most world religions have. American opinion overwhelmingly sees Islam as a religion that poses a threat to Western values. Polls show a deep divide between the Western and Islamic worlds over who is right and just in the present conflict. But is one form of war and aggression any more just than another? Is the killing of Protestant Christians by Catholic Christians in Northern Ireland any more "just" than the killing of Christians by Muslims in Sudan? Statesmen and religious believers debate even these questions. Another article looks closely at the effect of President Bush's references to an "axis of evil" between Iraq, Iran and North Korea. There is no doubt those nations wish America harm. But as the article shows, even this single-minded focus of American policy causes concern among nations which face the same threat as America. Straight talk has a way of clarifying the issues. World News and Prophecy seeks to lay the biblical perspective over the news and events of our world. To do so, you must rise above the partisan political debate, the emotional issues of religion and even the national interests that dominate the discussion. We seek to frame the issues in the context of the Bible, and show God's point of view, which is always different from mankind's. "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). In the end, God's view of the world is the only view that is important. This is the season of the Passover when many faithful will remember the death of Christ for the forgiveness of all human sin. That death is the true source of reconciliation for a divided and fractured world. Christ's death and resurrection is the basis of hope, the only hope man has for a peaceful future. As the Lamb slain before the foundation of this present evil world, His sacrificial life reminds us of the standard which we strive to copy. This publication seeks to give understanding based on a biblical worldview. It represents no single national, political or ethnic interest. We represent the universal values of "He [who] has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth" (Acts 17:26). Doing so may not always please every reader and is a constant challenge for our multinational staff. We have no ax to grind, either of the left or the right. We look ultimately to the righteous reign of Jesus Christ and the saints in the Kingdom of God. WNP