The world may never know for sure whether the Tsarnaev brothers acted alone in the Boston Marathon bombings.

It seems likely, judging from what’s been disclosed so far in the investigation, that they probably did — if you don’t count the advice they may have gotten on the Internet on how to construct the bombs or the encouragement they may have received from radicals in their religion.

Whether or not this was part of a broader conspiracy, a common thread runs through almost all of these terrorist attacks over the past two decades: militant Islam.

That’s difficult for some in politics, including President Barack Obama, and the media to acknowledge. Politically correct speech forbids blaming religions for the actions of a few who radicalize the beliefs of the group.

After interrogating Dzhokhar Tsarnaev on Monday, U.S. officials believe the brothers were motivated by their faith, apparently an anti-American, radical version of Islam. It is true that many peaceful Muslims live in this country. It’s also true that there have been and are so-called Christians who distort the message of the Bible and commit violent acts.

A major difference in Islam and Christianity, however, is that Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, preached nonviolence, and the New Testament clearly points that out. The Quran, as interpreted by large groups, is not so clear on that. Rather, there are too many who interpret it as encouraging holy war.

— Enterprise-Journal,

McComb, Miss., April 23