Dear Brother Thomas
I, too, have been trying to do some reading to get a grip on this Islamic "thing" which appears to have risen up, apparition-like, in front of us all. Books I have read, or partially read, are
1. A History of God. The 4000 year quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam by Karen Armstrong --- which I found very interesting for quite other reasons. In fact, it consolidated some of my own views about God and, believe it or not, it re-established my faith that there is something good in the notion of God --- and that it is not just evil and greed in disguise.
2. The Clash of Civilizations by Samuel Huntington --- which is prescribed reading to understand the East/West conflict if, in fact, there is one.
3. What went wrong. Western Impact and Middle Eastern Response --- by Bernard Lewis.
Actually, after doing the reading I have become more sympathetic to Islam and angry towards the West. While Islam, rightly or wrongly, seems to be searching for "higher" or more transcendental values, the West sees only money wherever it looks. Everything is disposable, including life, love, decency, honor, the environment, in this quest for lucre. One could almost call it an obsession. A madness --- because it brings no satisfaction or peace of mind, even to those who have it. No wonder the Muslims refer to the US as the great Satan. When people behave the way they do they can hardly blame others for thinking of them the way they are --- even though they like to imagine they are different.
One could be inclined to say that materialism is OK when everyone has money but the truth is that most people have nothing and consequently have become completely disaffected by Western capitalism and, as you say, values or, more correctly, the lack of them.
So much so, as I see it, the worst aspects of religious intolerance, greed and self-righteousness are now rampant --- whether Christian, Muslim or secular Judaism (known popularly as Zionism). I cannot say whether the brashness of the US, or the West, is to blame for all of this. Nonetheless, as I see it, the "clash of civilizations" like the "clash of religions" is surely going to lead to a clash of values, hightened intolerance between all people and a breakdown of communities and societies everywhere.
Enlightened and caring people throughout the world will not tolerate fascism disguised in religious robes nor will they accept avaricious military conquest disguised in equally flowery, quasi-religious language, like the "crusade against evil". But what can they do about it?
The predicament in the MidEast demonstrated by moderate Palestinians and Israelis, who attempt to hold hands through the barbed wire is, in fact, a template for the world of the future.
We have, indeed, re-entered the "dark ages" --- and faster than any of us could have realized. Things which we took for granted in our lives up to now have vanished and we, and generations to come, will have to struggle to regain what we once had.
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I have no idea whether gold will go up, even to the extent you mention. Although I would be pleased if it were to happen, it won't worry me if it doesn't. I have often stated on this forum that one of the main uses for gold is to provide something for bored, old men to talk about on the internet and, possibly even, to get excited about.
If only more people felt like that and didn't choose to get their "kicks" by war and murder and conquest and all the other manifestations of violence and brutality, I think this would be a better place.
Pax vobiscum
Bro Searle |
