Posted on Feb 15, 2015
What will it take to stop modern day religious persecution? Will we wait until it is 21 Americans killed while filmed video?
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A video released on Sunday by militants in Libya claiming loyalty to the Islamic State terror group purports to show the mass beheading of Coptic Christian hostages.
Are American's waking up to the threat to our security and our way of life?
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/15/video-purports-to-show-isis-militants-beheading-christian-hostages/
Are American's waking up to the threat to our security and our way of life?
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/15/video-purports-to-show-isis-militants-beheading-christian-hostages/
ISIS
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Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 6
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Not going to happen anytime soon. Religion is the opiate of the masses. This was spoken regarding the downtrodden and the disadvantaged. When people are down on their luck, they call to God and are willing to follow anyone that claims they represent his will. We see this in Al Quaeda, ISIS, the KKK, Westboro Baptist, Jonestown, Waco, etc...
Austerity breeds fear and panic. There is a rise in evangelicals and fundamentalists around the world and we continue to see crazy from all walks of life and creeds. The prepper community in the US is hardly of a single denomination.
What is the actual threat to the American Way of Life? Is the root of the problem religion or ideology? or is it a growing lack of surety in our own place in the world?
40 years ago an American knew he could work for a single company for 30 years and leave with his pension intact and be able to provide for his family. Now we have a problem with turnover rate as corporations have traded in loyalty to those who built their company for a disposable workforce. Pensions are disappearing, infrastructure is falling apart. I could go on about the woes of the American economy that casts doubt on our future as a nation. We are told to look to God for the answers, He will be there in our time of need...
How long before an inspired anarchist looks at the altar of the Golden calf and decides it is time for it's priests to pay? Religious extremism is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.
Austerity breeds fear and panic. There is a rise in evangelicals and fundamentalists around the world and we continue to see crazy from all walks of life and creeds. The prepper community in the US is hardly of a single denomination.
What is the actual threat to the American Way of Life? Is the root of the problem religion or ideology? or is it a growing lack of surety in our own place in the world?
40 years ago an American knew he could work for a single company for 30 years and leave with his pension intact and be able to provide for his family. Now we have a problem with turnover rate as corporations have traded in loyalty to those who built their company for a disposable workforce. Pensions are disappearing, infrastructure is falling apart. I could go on about the woes of the American economy that casts doubt on our future as a nation. We are told to look to God for the answers, He will be there in our time of need...
How long before an inspired anarchist looks at the altar of the Golden calf and decides it is time for it's priests to pay? Religious extremism is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.
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CW5 Jim Steddum
Great questions. The threat as I see it is that external influences are hampering the American ability to make our own choices (for right or wrong). But, because we are/and will continue to be consumed with defending our interests abroad, our interests at home will continue to diminish.
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SGM (Join to see)
Meaning no disrespect, but CW2 Joseph Evans attitude is part of the problem. You can't possibly expect someone who is religious to not feel that the statement, "Religion is the opiate of the masses", is prejudiced and demeaning. And if you are going to demean someone else, can you be surprised if the demean you back, or oppose anything rational you might say, having proven that you are an idiot in the first place? (No, you probably aren't an idiot, but to think you can say that to a person who is religious and expect them not to take offense is ... idiotic?)
The problem of people who USE religion to justify being scum (terrorists), or to justify being hateful (Westboro, KKK), or to justify sheering the sheep (televangelists), or to justify having lots of women (Waco) or even just power. That means it's not really religion that is the problem. It's people who use it for evil.
Are you suggesting that religion is at fault for the, "growing lack of surety in our own place in the world?" That would seem to be from the opposite side. Or are you suggesting that, "disposable workforce", Pensions disappearing", or, "infrastructure is falling apart", is the fault of religion? Because if you are, I'd say your hatred of religion is blinding you to the causes of those problem.
In my opinion, the root of all those issues is people who want to be supported by someone else. High insurance charges to corporations and they employ fewer people, or for less than full time hours. Higher draws from people on the dole means less money to spend on infrastructure.
No, I don't think anyone should starve to death in America, but I'm not sure I owe a color TV, cell phone, and an easy chair to someone who can work, but won't.
The problem of people who USE religion to justify being scum (terrorists), or to justify being hateful (Westboro, KKK), or to justify sheering the sheep (televangelists), or to justify having lots of women (Waco) or even just power. That means it's not really religion that is the problem. It's people who use it for evil.
Are you suggesting that religion is at fault for the, "growing lack of surety in our own place in the world?" That would seem to be from the opposite side. Or are you suggesting that, "disposable workforce", Pensions disappearing", or, "infrastructure is falling apart", is the fault of religion? Because if you are, I'd say your hatred of religion is blinding you to the causes of those problem.
In my opinion, the root of all those issues is people who want to be supported by someone else. High insurance charges to corporations and they employ fewer people, or for less than full time hours. Higher draws from people on the dole means less money to spend on infrastructure.
No, I don't think anyone should starve to death in America, but I'm not sure I owe a color TV, cell phone, and an easy chair to someone who can work, but won't.
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CW2 Joseph Evans
SGM (Join to see),
We are probably in agreement in more than you know. There is a sense of entitlement in America today, and much of that is because of past prosperity and those that have taken without returning back to the community. Whether it is the people on the dole or Senior executives in corporations or government that have siphoned off the wealth of our once great nation is probably up for debate and probably closer to equally to blame.
The sheering of the sheep by the Priests is nothing new, only the scale has changed. One can fleece so many more today than they used to.
My problem with religion (or perhaps the "religious") is a tendency to group think and the practice of the "power of prayer". I have seen people pray for good things to come their way and thank God when it is delivered through the good works of another. More and more, thanks is not given to those who sacrificed and worked for the benefit of others because "God delivered".
We, as a nation, are failing to instill an American work ethic in the next generation. We take from the bottom, we take from the top, we take because "God delivered", and fewer and fewer of us are working to see that the great works get done.
'Wal-Mart Patriotism" and "Drive-thru Piety" is killing our country, clogging the arteries that once pumped life into America.
I apologize for the use of "Religion is the opiate of the masses" in a way that my intent was not understood. Religion is not the root of the problems we have today. Greed and apathy are the problem. When there is a problem, there are two ways people will approach it, they will work or they will pray... God helps those who help themselves, and things get done a lot faster with dirt on your hands than bruises on your knees.
We are probably in agreement in more than you know. There is a sense of entitlement in America today, and much of that is because of past prosperity and those that have taken without returning back to the community. Whether it is the people on the dole or Senior executives in corporations or government that have siphoned off the wealth of our once great nation is probably up for debate and probably closer to equally to blame.
The sheering of the sheep by the Priests is nothing new, only the scale has changed. One can fleece so many more today than they used to.
My problem with religion (or perhaps the "religious") is a tendency to group think and the practice of the "power of prayer". I have seen people pray for good things to come their way and thank God when it is delivered through the good works of another. More and more, thanks is not given to those who sacrificed and worked for the benefit of others because "God delivered".
We, as a nation, are failing to instill an American work ethic in the next generation. We take from the bottom, we take from the top, we take because "God delivered", and fewer and fewer of us are working to see that the great works get done.
'Wal-Mart Patriotism" and "Drive-thru Piety" is killing our country, clogging the arteries that once pumped life into America.
I apologize for the use of "Religion is the opiate of the masses" in a way that my intent was not understood. Religion is not the root of the problems we have today. Greed and apathy are the problem. When there is a problem, there are two ways people will approach it, they will work or they will pray... God helps those who help themselves, and things get done a lot faster with dirt on your hands than bruises on your knees.
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SGM (Join to see)
Sir, I didn't think you really meant that a pejoratively as it could have been taken, and yes, we are in close agreement.
The concept that religion is the cause of any problem always reminds me of liberal gun grabbers. Almost any thinking person can accept that the gun isn't the issue - it's the criminal with the gun that is the issue. Alcohol (in and of itself) isn't the problem. Drunk drivers are the problem. I have a similar problem with religious people who basically think that anyone who doesn't think like they do is going to Hell. They ignore the clear instruction of their own book, "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)" Romans 10:6-7 (Heck, they can't even avoid saying it with their mouth, or at least their fingers.)
So I try not to get involved in what God does or doesn't want or who He likes or hates. I have enough to do worrying about myself.
Meanwhile I think it's Human nature that you are really upset about, and I am too. What's wrong with Communism? The statement is good, "From each according to his ability. To each according to his need." But does anyone produce to their ability, without a reasonably commensurate reward? And the same thing is wrong with Capitalism, which is basically the idea that letting greedy people have more means some of it slips out of their fingers to someone else. PEOPLE are the problem, not the ideas, virtues, and vices of society.
The concept that religion is the cause of any problem always reminds me of liberal gun grabbers. Almost any thinking person can accept that the gun isn't the issue - it's the criminal with the gun that is the issue. Alcohol (in and of itself) isn't the problem. Drunk drivers are the problem. I have a similar problem with religious people who basically think that anyone who doesn't think like they do is going to Hell. They ignore the clear instruction of their own book, "Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)" Romans 10:6-7 (Heck, they can't even avoid saying it with their mouth, or at least their fingers.)
So I try not to get involved in what God does or doesn't want or who He likes or hates. I have enough to do worrying about myself.
Meanwhile I think it's Human nature that you are really upset about, and I am too. What's wrong with Communism? The statement is good, "From each according to his ability. To each according to his need." But does anyone produce to their ability, without a reasonably commensurate reward? And the same thing is wrong with Capitalism, which is basically the idea that letting greedy people have more means some of it slips out of their fingers to someone else. PEOPLE are the problem, not the ideas, virtues, and vices of society.
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I don't believe that we have to discuss this from a religious point of view. Indeed, I'm beginning to think that the rise of Islamic extremism is more coincidental than causal.
Have you ever looked at photos taken in other lands? I have. I used to peruse National Geographic Magazines regularly until the Internet and the World Wide Web (yes, they really are two different things) evolved and I could tour the world in excruciating detail.
What has always struck me is the frequency with which I discover pictures of children of all ages wearing baseball caps, tshirts with American-oriented logos and slogans, and sneakers/athletic shoes. In videos I hear American music and see them rapping and dancing like Americans. You've seen it too, haven't you?
Imagine how these scenes play out with their parents, especially those who are culturally or religiously fundamental. Have you ever stopped to wonder if these parents thought that America was stealing their children?
Their beliefs and values are just as important to them as ours are to us. Those of us who are parents are dismayed when our children reject our values and beliefs. Frankly, as indoctrination has replaced education in our schools and universities, I have become very upset. Teachers told my children and are now telling my grandchildren that the things I feel are important are wrong. I expect my children to rebel and challenge me. I don't expect that their teachers will be assisting them. But they are.
Thus, I can relate to the anger that Muslims may feel when they see their children replacing their culture with an American culture. I feel the same way when my children begin to talk and act like progressive members of the Left.
Now, I'm not going to get into the argument between the relative merits of their beliefs and culture and mine. I don't have to go there to make my point.
Simply understand that their is a war going on for the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Maybe we didn't intend it. Maybe their children were simply attracted to ours without our propagandizing it. We simply live it and it looks appealing. Maybe they should reevaluate theirs and fix their culture rather than trying to destroy ours.
Maybe, we need to do the same...
Have you ever looked at photos taken in other lands? I have. I used to peruse National Geographic Magazines regularly until the Internet and the World Wide Web (yes, they really are two different things) evolved and I could tour the world in excruciating detail.
What has always struck me is the frequency with which I discover pictures of children of all ages wearing baseball caps, tshirts with American-oriented logos and slogans, and sneakers/athletic shoes. In videos I hear American music and see them rapping and dancing like Americans. You've seen it too, haven't you?
Imagine how these scenes play out with their parents, especially those who are culturally or religiously fundamental. Have you ever stopped to wonder if these parents thought that America was stealing their children?
Their beliefs and values are just as important to them as ours are to us. Those of us who are parents are dismayed when our children reject our values and beliefs. Frankly, as indoctrination has replaced education in our schools and universities, I have become very upset. Teachers told my children and are now telling my grandchildren that the things I feel are important are wrong. I expect my children to rebel and challenge me. I don't expect that their teachers will be assisting them. But they are.
Thus, I can relate to the anger that Muslims may feel when they see their children replacing their culture with an American culture. I feel the same way when my children begin to talk and act like progressive members of the Left.
Now, I'm not going to get into the argument between the relative merits of their beliefs and culture and mine. I don't have to go there to make my point.
Simply understand that their is a war going on for the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Maybe we didn't intend it. Maybe their children were simply attracted to ours without our propagandizing it. We simply live it and it looks appealing. Maybe they should reevaluate theirs and fix their culture rather than trying to destroy ours.
Maybe, we need to do the same...
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SGM (Join to see)
CPT Jack Durish, you make some good points, but the simple truth is that people can be scumbags without having some historical reason make it happen. Some people are just scumbags, and choose to justify that with an excuse.
Al Capone may have SAID he was providing a service that people wanted, but does that really have any relevance to the number of people he murdered?
But I do think you are spot on about culture. The least common denominator seems to be the American way now. Whatever makes me feel good has got to be publicly approved and acceptable, as we race for the bottom.
Al Capone may have SAID he was providing a service that people wanted, but does that really have any relevance to the number of people he murdered?
But I do think you are spot on about culture. The least common denominator seems to be the American way now. Whatever makes me feel good has got to be publicly approved and acceptable, as we race for the bottom.
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Found on facebook:
An ISIS commander is leading his thugs through the desert when they come upon a large sand dune.
On the other side, a voice calls out, " 1 US Soldier is better than 100 caliphate weenies." So he sends over his men and a battle takes place.
Silence, then a voice again says "1 US Soldier is better than 500 ISIS cowards." So the commander sends 500 men over the dune. Again, a fierce battle takes place, then silence.
Again, a voice comes over and says " 1 US Soldier is better than 1000 ISIS dipshits." A major battle for over an hour takes place. Then silence.
From atop the dune, an ISIS fighter crawls up, all bloodied and badly wounded and says "Sir, don't send any more men, it's a trap...there are 2 US Soldiers."
An ISIS commander is leading his thugs through the desert when they come upon a large sand dune.
On the other side, a voice calls out, " 1 US Soldier is better than 100 caliphate weenies." So he sends over his men and a battle takes place.
Silence, then a voice again says "1 US Soldier is better than 500 ISIS cowards." So the commander sends 500 men over the dune. Again, a fierce battle takes place, then silence.
Again, a voice comes over and says " 1 US Soldier is better than 1000 ISIS dipshits." A major battle for over an hour takes place. Then silence.
From atop the dune, an ISIS fighter crawls up, all bloodied and badly wounded and says "Sir, don't send any more men, it's a trap...there are 2 US Soldiers."
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CW2 Joseph Evans
That is a good one... Another one I've seen is: "Remember what happened last time you went up against 300?"
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CW5 Jim Steddum
Spartans, What is your Profession?
In 300, King Leonidas Meets Daxos and the other Arcadians
What is your Profession... my favorite scene...
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Suspended Profile
CW4 Steddam - that's an old joke, and you told it wrong - it took place in the Sinai, and it was Egyptian soldiers, not IS, and it was two Israeli soldiers, and the response was "It's an ambush - there's two of them". My father had that on a record of comedy from the 60's, after the 6 Days War in Israel... =) Thanks for sharing a great joke...
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