Non-Muslim usage of the word "jihad"

Submitted by Angela (United States), Jan 12, 2009 at 06:19

Would it be a complete misusage of the word "jihad" if someone, in the U.S. for example, Christian or otherwise non-Muslim, refers to the word "jihad" in their own lives. I have a Christian friend who has a tattoo of the Arabic symbol or word for "jihad" on his face next to his eye. Across his stomach reads the English word "Christ" with a symbol of the cross below. Is this a conflict of interest or can other religions and cultures adopt the word "jihad" and use it, because it is a very good one word expression of something I think all cultures and people feel to some extent.

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