They say the truth will set you free, but the fact is that most of us spend an inordinate amount of time and effort strenuously trying to avoid the truth, and I fear that America has been doing this very thing since 911. The 911 attacks finally brought our attention to the ongoing clash of cultures occurring between Islam and the West. While I sympathize enthusiastically with those who insist that 911 was (at least in part) an inside job, the goal of that "job" had to be to bring attention to that clash, which it did do, on both sides of the equation. The whole world is certainly much more aware of that clash now than it was before 911. Our enhanced awareness of that clash has highlighted or even exasperated existing divisions within our American culture. The two extremes that have emerged in the US are one side that demonizes Islam without apology or hesitation, and another side that seeks to peacefully ‘co-exist’ with it. Our JudeoChristian historical background predisposes us to reach out to enemies with love, forgiveness, and understanding, and we should be proud that this current is still to be found, strong and thriving, in our culture. For a long time after 911 I was inclined to view this clash from that generous perspective. However, I now feel this approach was misguided. The very heart and soul of Islam, Mecca itself, should teach us that tolerant coexistence with Islamic culture is simply not possible, since in Mecca, you will find zero churches, zero synagogues, zero coexistence. The only way to coexist with Islam is to change Islam into something else than what it is, something else that IS possible to coexist with. But we might as well propose to change the earth from round to square. The West’s only true options in regards to Islam today are either to submit to it entirely, or to destroy it utterly. This is the truth that our side of this clash has been avoiding since 911. The other side of the clash has known it all along.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:23:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015