My thoughts are preoccupied with the terrorist threat. I know there is little one can do to prevent the determined attempt of those wishing to do harm. That is especially so when those same folks believe in a reward for killing themselves in the process. Still, that doesn't mean we shouldn't take all precaution. I have a gut feeling plans are being made while we talk about the problem. I also think this discussion is serving as an impetus for those same terrorists. Swift and sure action is required to send a clear message. There are times when that " knee jerk " reaction saves your bacon ! Instinct has served mankind well over the ages. Analyzing results is best done after the action is taken. We must react. What I am seeing is an administration of inaction. A lot of talk.
The threat is a real one. How to separate ideology from a firm religious belief is the problem that lies before us. Ideology is associated with politics and government, a defining of methods and motives. Religion is belief. Religion does not rely upon " truth " but upon faith. The distinction is a fine one but they are distinct actions. Both may inspire the individual to sacrifice their own life as a result of their adherence to the principles of that religion or ideology. That is where the line is blurred. It is especially blurred within the religion of Islam. Their holy books outline an ideology as well as a faith. The Bible does not do that. The Bible only speaks to the individual, not a nation. The ideology contained within the Quran demands violent action, something Christians do not associate with the practice of their faith. I know, the crusades. They began in 1095 and lasted several centuries. It wasn't the Bible that demanded that action, but the Pope. The Pope being the leader of the Catholic church just naturally forms ideology. We must remember that the Pope is only a human being. He is striving to be like Jesus along with the rest of us. He is not infallible. The Pope did not draw that call to arms from the pages of the Bible. So, the argument that the crusade's is/was a Christian ideology is false. It was the ideology of the Pope. Another fine distinction but distinct nonetheless. Each of us, in our own way, form our own ideology as well. That is why strict adherence to a religion is so difficult to achieve. I would imagine for those practicing Islam this has to be a real issue, more so today than at any other time in history. Their ideology of aggression and retaliation flies in the face of humanity. That isn't to say their " religious " belief does, just the portion that comprises the ideology. As the world tries to form a community these basic beliefs and ideologies will be tested. It is interesting to note when monetary gains are to be achieved we can co-exist quite well. We often set aside our religion and ideology in deference to gaining wealth. Wealth is power upon this earth, religious conviction and adherence to that religion is power after death. We want both !
The truth is their are no simple answers. Allah is God and Mohamed his messenger. That is my understanding of the Islamic faith. God is God and Jesus his messenger, also his son. That is my understanding of the Christian faith. Christians are bound to follow the teachings of Jesus. Muslims are bound to follow the teachings of Mohamed. I am quite familiar with Jesus taught, and quite ignorant of what Mohamed taught. Truth is, I only know those teachings that call for this action called Jihad, a religious war against the non-believers. And by war he means a physical war. So I am left with a difficult question, if Muslims are truly the religion of peace, as I hear them proclaiming, why did Mohamed preach the opposite ? Did he get the wrong message ? I am perplexed. Or could it be that this " holy war " really has nothing to do with religious belief. Could it be about power ? If that is the truth that begs another question. Why are those that are truly religious not battling against this evil force ? If their religion teaches they should kill the non-believer why are they not killing those that are perverting their religion ? It is a bit of a quandary.
The threat is a real one. How to separate ideology from a firm religious belief is the problem that lies before us. Ideology is associated with politics and government, a defining of methods and motives. Religion is belief. Religion does not rely upon " truth " but upon faith. The distinction is a fine one but they are distinct actions. Both may inspire the individual to sacrifice their own life as a result of their adherence to the principles of that religion or ideology. That is where the line is blurred. It is especially blurred within the religion of Islam. Their holy books outline an ideology as well as a faith. The Bible does not do that. The Bible only speaks to the individual, not a nation. The ideology contained within the Quran demands violent action, something Christians do not associate with the practice of their faith. I know, the crusades. They began in 1095 and lasted several centuries. It wasn't the Bible that demanded that action, but the Pope. The Pope being the leader of the Catholic church just naturally forms ideology. We must remember that the Pope is only a human being. He is striving to be like Jesus along with the rest of us. He is not infallible. The Pope did not draw that call to arms from the pages of the Bible. So, the argument that the crusade's is/was a Christian ideology is false. It was the ideology of the Pope. Another fine distinction but distinct nonetheless. Each of us, in our own way, form our own ideology as well. That is why strict adherence to a religion is so difficult to achieve. I would imagine for those practicing Islam this has to be a real issue, more so today than at any other time in history. Their ideology of aggression and retaliation flies in the face of humanity. That isn't to say their " religious " belief does, just the portion that comprises the ideology. As the world tries to form a community these basic beliefs and ideologies will be tested. It is interesting to note when monetary gains are to be achieved we can co-exist quite well. We often set aside our religion and ideology in deference to gaining wealth. Wealth is power upon this earth, religious conviction and adherence to that religion is power after death. We want both !
The truth is their are no simple answers. Allah is God and Mohamed his messenger. That is my understanding of the Islamic faith. God is God and Jesus his messenger, also his son. That is my understanding of the Christian faith. Christians are bound to follow the teachings of Jesus. Muslims are bound to follow the teachings of Mohamed. I am quite familiar with Jesus taught, and quite ignorant of what Mohamed taught. Truth is, I only know those teachings that call for this action called Jihad, a religious war against the non-believers. And by war he means a physical war. So I am left with a difficult question, if Muslims are truly the religion of peace, as I hear them proclaiming, why did Mohamed preach the opposite ? Did he get the wrong message ? I am perplexed. Or could it be that this " holy war " really has nothing to do with religious belief. Could it be about power ? If that is the truth that begs another question. Why are those that are truly religious not battling against this evil force ? If their religion teaches they should kill the non-believer why are they not killing those that are perverting their religion ? It is a bit of a quandary.
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