Terms for Terror: Handle With Care

Re “Falwell Should Have Listened to the Feminists,” Commentary, Sept. 25: If you substitute “Christianity” for “Islam,” Osama bin Laden’s rhetoric started out sounding strikingly similar to what we’ve heard in the past from Jerry Falwell. Among other things, there is an amazing overlap in how these men define “infidels.” It was not too long ago that some conservative Christians lauded the idea of “killing Communists (read infidels) for Christ’s sake.” The difference, of course, is that Bin Laden was able to gain political power and act on his views.

Ron Whittaker

Joshua Tree

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I’m disturbed that The Times refers to Bin Laden and his followers as “Islamic fundamentalists.” They are not Islamic by anyone’s definition but their own. Wouldn’t “Al Qaeda cult” be a more accurate term for them?

Like Bin Laden, the Rev. Jim Jones and David Koresh considered themselves religious fundamentalists but led their followers down destructive and suicidal paths. The media referred to them as cult leaders, not Christians.

Suzanne Smith

Beverly Hills