The Quarrelsome Sons of Abraham

US News and World Report
February 25, 2008

"Votes in an Era of Fear", Page 8, and "In Defense of Secularism" on Page 15

Maulvi Noor Mohammad commented, "I've wasted my time the last five years in Islamabad's Parliament. Western-style politics will not bring about a Sharia [Qu'ranic Law] system. Perhaps we have to try another way." I foresee a war in America between Muslims, Christians, Jews, secularists, and the other religions. It need not be a war with guns and bloodshed, though that is not outside the realm of possibility, but rather an idealogical war to transform America. This threat further reinforces the need to stay thr course in Iraq and Afghanistan. Quite simply, in a nonsecular government, the trend historically follows a pattern of, "if you're not with us, you're against us." Catholics against Baptists. Shia versus Sunni. Muslim versus Christian. The importance of separation of church and state cannot be stressed enough. Neutral government, void of religious consideration and concerned only with the welfare of it constituents, all of its constituents, is a demand for global evolution. The best way I can sum it up is to paraphrase Jesus' comment to "give unto Caeser what is Caeser's." Piety is for ecclesiastical, as secularism must be for government; morality and concern for the human element must be adhered by both.

Further, when Sheikh Mohammad commented, "Perhaps we have to try another way," I fear he was referring to another Sadr styled terrorist group. Of course, they all see themselves as freedom fighters. However, religion, unchecked by prudence becomes oppressive, and what began as a relationship to get closer to God becomes a movement to subjugate one's fellow man.

In our shrinking global community, with our diverse religions and ethnicities, how long can we progress at this rate before Muslims demand a Sharia system in America? Or before westerners demand a Christian state within the Middle East? How long before our opposed systems leap from the precipice of reason and the call to Islamic Jihad is answered by a call to Christian Crusade? How long until we as humans do what we do best and eradicate all life with the use of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons?

And, while evaluating this slippery slope into Meggido, shouldn't all Christians, Jews, and Muslims really be asking of themselves, "Does thou shalt not kill" mean simply to not murder or, in true appreciation of our idea of a Loving God, does it mean exactly what it says, DO NOT KILL? Rather, as children of the God of Abraham (regardless of whehter we believe Issac or Ishmael is the chosen path), shouldn't we nurture humanity and life and strive to grow together in a symbiotic relationship: "all for one, and one for all."