My goal here is not to do a detailed theological critique of Islam, but-in five sets of five propositions each-to look quickly at the cultural and political implications of the worldview that arises from Islam. I'll start by noting five positives concerning Islam, because it's good when approaching any religion to see its strengths as well as its weaknesses.

Fifty years ago Whittaker Chambers, a Marxist-turned-Christian, wrote in his book Witness that the next several decades would decide "whether all mankind is to become Communist, whether the whole world is to become free, or whether, in the struggle, civilization as we know it is to be completely destroyed or completely changed. It is our fate to live upon that turning point in history."

"Jihad" (the Arabic word for "struggle") has a positive side. Islamic terrorists emphasize the war element, but most Muslims emphasize what they call "greater jihad," the internal spiritual struggle of those trying to discipline their character.

Twenty years ago, in October 1981, a movie about greater jihad hit theaters across America and soon won the best picture Oscar for its story of two runners: Harold Abrahams, the fiercely competitive son of a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant, and Eric Liddell, a young Scottish minister. The film's name: Chariots of Fire.

Whatever happened to repentance? For several thousand years the advent of disaster has always pushed Christians and Jews toward introspection. Jesus, speaking of a collapsing tower, said, "Unless you repent, you too will all perish." Augustine, commenting on the destruction of Rome 16 centuries ago, wrote, "that you are yet alive is due to God, who spares you that you may be admonished to repent and reform your lives."

Chattanooga, Tenn.-In our tense and wary situation, some ethnic profiling at airports and elsewhere is inevitable. At the same time, we should remember that many immigrants from the Middle East, as from other areas of rampant tyranny and poverty, are among our most patriotic citizens: They don't take America for granted, and they know how much it has given them.

Two days after 9/11, straight-talking Jerry Falwell went on The 700 Club and said, "The abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked. And when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad." He went on to criticize pagans, feminists, homosexuals, and secularists generally.

One of the passengers who died when her hijacked plane slammed into the Pentagon was Barbara Olson, an author and the wife of Solicitor General Theodore Olson.

I've only met Ted Olson once. We were in the waiting area to go onto a CNN show. Barbara Olson was being interviewed at the moment and was doing her usual terrific job. I said to Mr. Olson, "She's very good." He replied, "Yes, she is."

And now she is dead. As are thousands of other wives and husbands, mothers and fathers.