The times of Christian martyrs have long past - and most of us are unable to believe in our hearts the fact which we already know in our minds - that there are millions of Muslims who would be prepared to give their lives fighting a war for Allah -- against us. They see Western influence as an existential threat, they see Muslims getting corrupted, and their traditions damaged - and they are ready to fight.
The majority of Muslims simply want to live their lives. Many of them may think that it is "cool" that their extremist brethren are attacking the corrupt West, that they are getting some attention and "respect" for Islam - but they do not really believe that those extremists may some day in fact become kings and rulers of Muslim countries. Moderate Muslims underestimate the potential of trained and committed professional revolutionaries.
Modern Western man - centuries after the Renaissance, after separation of secular and religious lives, of Church and State, after great advances in science and technology - has great difficulties comprehending strong religious sentiment.
People who are not able to really understand - or, to believe - that we are in a religious war are, naturally, seeking alternate explanations. They fall into the absurd belief that our soldiers are fighting in order to "steal" oil. They blame corporate greed - or, some sort of mysterious innate corruptness and evil of America. They accuse President Bush of being a reckless cowboy - and, on the same breath, of being "too" religious. They accuse "Neocons". They accuse Jews and the Israeli lobby, claiming that we are fighting a war "for Israel". This last accusation will inevitably lead to open anti-Semitism - after another inevitable terrorist attack.
What's the use of dwelling on details if one "doesn't get" the big picture?
Message 20022268 |
