Religion In A Post-Republic America: The Decline of Christianity?

 

When the populace begins to distrust the institutions upon which society is built, the time is not long off when there will be some sort of change, possible violent or not, but there's little doubt that significant change is on the way. According to several recent polls, trust in our key institutions are at record lows with little data to indicate any significant improvement.

The most fundamental institution affecting Americans is religion. In the preceding generations, one could argue the society, and especially the family unit, revolved around organized religion. According to a Gallup poll, just 32% of Americans said they had a great deal or a lot of trust in religion. 36% said that had "some" confidence while 33% had little or none.

According to the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College, some 70% to 84% of all churches are seeking a decline in membership. A Pew survey conducted two years ago indicated that the fastest growing religious category in the U.S. was "none". The report also said that if "unaffiliated" was a religion, it would be the largest in the United States.  If the present trend continues, it will reach a de facto majority status by 2070.

However, among those who hold to some sort of faith, non-dogmatic "spiritualism" comprises the largest chunk of the unaffiliated. Of those who adhere to dogmatic Christian religious institution, the Church of Latter Day Saints or Mormons are the fasting growing. The largest growing non-Christian religious institution in the United States is Islam. By 2040, Islam is expected to be the second largest religious institution in America.

As an aside, Mormonism is on track to become the largest Christian religion, the Churches of Christ, Assemblies of God, and the Catholic Church are the runners up. It's worth noting that all three of the Protestant churches and the Catholic churches are considered socially conservative although most are registered Democrat, leaving about one third registered Republican.

Liberal churches on the other hand are showing the fastest decline in membership. Churches regarded as being "liberal" or "progressive", some of which include the United Churches of Christ, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and the Methodists. This is most notably due to their stance on issues like gay marriage and LGBQT rights, abortion, and women in the pulpit. 

The massive increase in immigrants from Latin America as well as Africa and Asia will spur the growth for the Catholic Church in the United States. Whether they will continue to register Democrat while remaining socially conservative remains to be seen. 56% are registered Democrat while 28% are Independent and 14% are Republican, although many are switching to Independent. 

Incidentally, the majority of immigrants---61%---are settling in just five states, Texas, Florida, California, New York and New Jersey. It's worth noting that four of these, New York, Texas, Florida, and California, also have the highest number of Electoral College votes which, in our antiquated "winner-take-all" electoral system, determines the winner of the Presidency and not the popular vote. 

Globally, by 2050 there will be approximately the same number of Muslims as there are Christians. In India, which now has the largest population of any nation, Hinduism will remain the majority religion but not by much. Islam will make up a large minority. In fact, because of the large Indian population, by 2050, there will be more Muslims just in India than in all of Indonesia. In Europe, Muslims will comprise at least 10% of the total population with the majority living in Western Europe.

Buddhism will hold its hold globally and remain about the same size, although its number will grow in the United States. The majority of Buddhists in America are converts, with the majority being white and former Protestant. By 2050, Buddhism will be the 10th largest population group by religion. Buddhism tend to lean Democrat in significant numbers.  

While Judaism, which is predominantly Left leaning in the U.S., will likely grow worldwide, it will no longer be the largest non-Christian religion in the United States. That honor, as stated above, will go to Islam. Politically, however, it will make little difference since they both tend to vote Democrat  with 68% of Muslims and 64% of Jews being registered Democrat. 

It's worth mentioning that while agnostics, atheists, and Humanist currently make up a significant segment of the "unaffiliated" in the United States (as well as in France and Germany), their numbers are projected to decline globally. Folk religion and neo-paganism (such as native African, Nordic and Wiccan)  will also continue to enjoy a resurgence globally, especially in the United States, although their numbers will not keep pace with the growing world population and thus their overall percentages will decline.

In our increasingly technological and sterile world, you would think that religion everywhere would be in decline. Various polls, however, show that the majority of Americans side with religion over science. In fact, just 29% of those polled by Pew in a 2019 study said they would always or most always trust science over religion. 40% of Americans believe solely in Creationism while 33% believe in evolution under the direction of a divine influence or plan. Note too that this percentage is fairly consistent globally among Christians and non-Christians religions that follow some form of established dogma.

So, what's the future of religion, particularly Christianity, in the United States? In 1990, 90% of all Americans identified as Christian. By 2050, that number is expected to be 54%, and within 50 years, it's expected to be just 46% while those who identify as secular will rise from around 30% now to 52% by then. Liberal leaning churches will decline, with many closing their doors for good.

The largest non-Christian religion will be Islam, replacing Judaism for the first time, and smaller size congregations will gradually replace the mega-church (which are often half jokingly referred to as "Six Flags over Jesus" or "Churchmarts"). Many services in the future will take place in private residences, harkening back to early Christianity when services were often led by women who were in charge of the home. 

Christianity will also likely be more racially and ethnically diverse than at any time in American history. Services conducted in multiple languages along with a sharing of cultures.  They will also likely be conservative, creating possibly a new schism in the form and function of Christianity itself. 

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The fasting growing US religious affiliation? 'None', poll says

The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections2010 - 2050

Modeling the Future of Religion in America

U.S. Religious Groups and their political leanings

What is the Future of Religion in America?

The Future of Liberal Christianity

Is There a Future For Progressive Christianity in America?

 

 

 

 

The Changing Face of Religion in America Today

It's a common theme among those of the political Right that America was founded as a "Christian" nation. The fact of the matter is that America was established as a nation open to all religions without preference to one above another; something very rare, especially when you consider that each European country typically recognized one "official" religion and while they may (or may not) allow other faiths to practice independently, everyone still had to pay (usually literally) homage to the official State religion such as in the form a tax (or "pew tax " as they were sometimes called) so that in addition to financially supporting your church and pastor, you also had to financially support the State church too. Thus, America's position of no official church was considered more than just unique, but like so much of our revolution, it was seen as downright radical. That doesn't mean religion didn't play a part in the political life of our nation. It did, often strongly, but it was almost always some form of Christianity since that was the dominant religion in this country, and has been up until relatively recently.

In the beginning, most of the Founding Fathers, and indeed most of the Colonists were Protestants of one sort or another. However, with the arrival of immigrants from differing countries such as Catholic Ireland and Southern Germany, the Eastern Orthodox Southern Europeans, the Lutheran Northern Germans and Scandinavians, and the Jews of Germany and Eastern Europe, and the incorporating of former territorial lands from Catholic France (Louisiana Purchase) and Spain (Florida and parts of Mississippi and Alabama), and well as Alaska from Eastern Orthodox Russia, along with Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada from Catholic Mexico, the religious complexion of the ever expanding America changed accordingly. Nevertheless, America remained strongly Protestant, at least in politics, and especially at the federal level. Of course, religious influence varied, as one would expect, from region to region and city to city. Yet, even with the influx of immigrants, change was usually gradual since it took time for people to spread out. Today, America is facing another religious makeover. This time, however, the change is coming more rapidly, and it's much more dramatic.

According to a January 17, 2017 Pew Report, under President Barack Obama, religious identification dropped off significantly during his eight years in office; perhaps another unintended legacy of the Obama Regime. While still America's dominant religion, Christianity dropped from 78% of population to only 71%. The report stated while Evangelical Protestantism, characterized by predominately black and/or Southern churches, the more mainstream Protestant churches such as Methodist, Presbyterianism and Lutheranism, along with Catholicism took the biggest hit. A slightly earlier Pew Report from July of 2015, showed that Islam was the fastest growing religion in the world while unaffiliated, which has been rising, is showing signs of slowing down and even reversing in some places. In the US, however, unaffiliated continues to remains strong, Islam is making inroads.

The 2015 Pew Report predicts that by 2050---only 33 years away---Islam will be at near parity with Christianity. In Europe, already reeling under recent influxes from the Middle and Near East, will see Islam making up a minimum of 10% of the total population. If present changes are any indication, the future impact will change the entire political, social, and economic face of Europe. India will remain a majority Hindu, but again, the percentage of Muslims will rise substantially in the subcontinent, making India the home to the largest Muslim population anywhere in the world, including Egypt or Indonesia. Hinduism, nevertheless, will continue to grow, though at a slower rate, as well as Judaism. According to the report, Buddhism will remain basically stable with little change. In the US, Christianity will continue to decline; from 3/4 of the total population to 2/3. Judaism will lose its status as the second largest non-Christian faith, being replaced by Islam, and settling at the third spot. As an aside, the report points out that three out of every four Christians will be living in sub-Saharan Africa.

The most obvious reason for this change is fertility rates throughout the world, but especially in industrial nations such as Japan, which is graying rapidly, and Europe; most notably central Europe and Scandinavia. One reason is the level of education. Researchers have determined that the more educated a population is the less likely they are to have children, or at least exceed the replacement level of two (the replacement level is the number of children needed to maintain or grow a population. Two children is considered "population maintenance" since they represent one child per parent). In addition, better educated societies are also usually more economically affluent. Fewer children are required to help support the family. On the other hand, poorer populations tend to high numbers of children since children are seen as a source of potential workers, especially in agricultural based economies. Additionally, some religions, such as Islam and Hinduism, simply encourage large families. The average number of children among Muslim women is 3.1 while it's 2.1 for the non-Muslim world (as an example, the fertility rate is 1.4 in Japan, Germany and Italy. Canada is 1.6, Russia and Denmark are 1.7, Norway is 1.8, while the US is 1.9 yet Nigeria is 5.4 and Ethiopia is 4.1) At the same time, various religions view women as "inferior" and of little societal value outside of their role as "breeders" and keepers of their husband's home and hearth.

So, how does this fare for the U.S.? A more recent Pew Report from January 2016, indicates that Muslims make up just 1% of the total population. However, that number is certain to change. Under President Obama, the U.S. engaged in a change of its foreign policy when it came to immigration. As a result, the U.S. would open its door to over one million immigrants from the Middle East, mostly Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, although many are in fact actually coming from places like Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Iran, and other parts of the Near East and would not be considered war refugees. While these individuals are overwhelmingly Muslims, others actually from the war torn areas of Syria and Iraq who are not Muslim, such as the Assyrian Christians, who are the oldest Christian sect in the Middle East, the Yazidis, and even the Kurds, are being denied an opportunity to leave, be it for Europe, the U.S., or elsewhere even though the world is keenly aware that each group have been a principal target of ISIS and other extremist Muslim terrorist groups. Thousands have been hanged, beheaded, shot, and murdered in every other conceivable way while young girls have been forced into sex slavery. Those very few who have made it to the Muslim dominated refugee camps in Europe have often been beaten, raped, robbed, or killed. Of course, there are the other, predominately Muslim, refugees coming to America from Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and other poor countries.

As a result, the Muslim population in America, will go from the current level of 1% to perhaps as high as 3%, and continue to rise thanks to current immigration quotas and fertility rates (with the current trend globally, Islam will become the world's largest religion by the end of this century. Islam will make up the majority of the world's population with Christianity and Hinduism being at near parity with 35%). As in the past, these demographic changes will result in a change in everything. Most importantly, however, will be the changes in the body politic. Many of the Islamic extremists, who seem to dominate the conversation both here and in Europe, are demanding the adoption of Sharia Law and its universal application to everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. Already there are "no go" places in Europe, such as England and France, where Sharia law is applied, complete with Sharia courts and roving Sharia "police" patrols who seek to enforce Sharia law on anyone they find in violation. A few have begun demanding that the famous neighborhood British pubs bordering these "no go" zones be shut down. These courts even impose fines, "taxes" and other penalties while local authorities are either powerless or unwilling to do anything to reassert national laws.

In Germany, where their love of beer and pork are legendary, local Imams (Islamic religious teachers) have begun demanding that Germany cease serving beer and any pork products or face possible "reprisals" (and yes, that includes the Oktoberfest). Some business owners have cowered and removed the items from their public menus, although they are still available, they must be consumed in private. Women in Germany and Scandinavia (and other countries), especially young women, are often harassed, attacked, raped, and occasionally murdered or disfigured for being alone without a male escort or for how they are dressed. Some have begun insisting that women be removed from schools (women are not be educated according to some interpretations of Islamic doctrine). In Africa and the Near East, it's not uncommon for girls attending village schools to be randomly beaten with canes or have acid thrown in their faces and that men and women be separated at all events as well as wear head scarves. There are even reports of roving "rape gangs" attempting to impose their own "penalty" for any non-Sharia compliant females they see. The attacks occur as often in daylight as night. Some have been at parks, beaches, public gyms and swimming pools. Local officials, including the police, have sought to defuse the situation by shifting the blame onto the victims.

What we are witnessing is more than just the influx of refugees from poor, uneducated countries, or from countries with a different religion. We've experienced those before. There is often a cultural shock on both sides and period of adjustment, but eventually the new group blends in with the existing population with some adaptation and little practical changes religious beliefs. This is different. This is a clash which involves the basic tenets of Western society such as relationships between individuals, gender equality---women have few rights and a second or even third class societal status (or the right to work, vote, equal pay, no driving, no freedom to go anywhere without a male escort). There is little freedom of expression, be it movies and television shows (or very limited genres) , music, dress, expression, as well as the freedom of association. Some adherents of radical Islam firmly believe in no movies or television or music such as rock, pop, jazz, country, R&B, Rap, and so forth. They believe in complete and absolute separation of the sexes. Strict restriction of what women can and cannot wear, what can and cannot be exposed, denial of women's right to open expression or to vote).

Men too must maintain certain "conservative" appearance and a mandatory beard. In short, they don't believe the same basic freedoms which are the foundations of Western Culture. They believe this must be applied to everyone regardless of their religious beliefs (in fact, non-Muslims must either convert or pay a rather steep religious "tax"). They insist on a universal prohibition of certain foods regardless of your religion or culture, oh, and no alcohol. That's right, no beer, wine, whiskey, vodka, or anything else. No smoking---of anything---either. Oh, if you're gay, bisexual, transgendered, or whatever, you are going to be very unhappy. Those are crimes and they punishable by death. No exceptions. So, what we are facing is a influx of individuals whose culture, values, and religion are all rolled into one. Where there are no exceptions. Their tenets are absolute. They don't negotiate them and they are unalterable. Thus, what we have are challenges to our Western cultural foundation with its values and traditions with it notion of democracy and individual freedom; to our Constitution and the rights it outlines; to our rule of a common law free from religious or sovereign dictate.

In Europe, we are witnessing what is referred to as "population replacement' which is when one group, usually the native population, is systematically replaced by a newer population and with it, a wholesale transformation of society. We could be, at some point in the near future, witness the same event here in the United States. We already have populations refusing to adopt the predominate language, English, or our culture in favor a "multiculturalism" which fosters separation rather than inclusion as did the "melting pot" concept. Now, with this latest threat, we may see the ultimate folly of multiculturalism.


Pew Report: Religion Plummeted in America During Obama Era


The Future of World Religions: Population Growth Projections 2010-2050


A New Estimate of the US Muslim population


Islam Will Surpass Christianity To Become The World's Largest Religion, New Report Say

What is Going on?

I just read an article where a US university banned all Christmas celebrations and displays because a small handful of Moslems were "offended" and "demanded" that all Christian displays be stopped immediately. An attention getting ruse? I also read where the mayor of Irving Texas, Beth Van Duyne, told members of a local Mosque which was trying to establish Sharia Law Court. that it wasn't happening. The Mayor made it abundantly clear that here in the US, there is but one overarching law and the City Council would neither approve or enact it. Colleges and universities have bent over backwards to make their schools as "Sharia" compliant as possible, including installing "footbaths" and removing religious imagery.

In March 2015, Moslem students at the University of Missouri "demanded" that the school cancel the showing of "American Sniper", the story of US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle because the subject matter "offended" them. The students went on to claim that the movie was "racist" and "colonial propaganda". There have been demands to remove all ROTC activity from local high schools and universities (citing the usual "we're offended" refrain). and demands to prohibit any religious displays or celebrations. In October, approximately 30 to 40 students at a public university in Melbourne Australia walked out during the playing of the Australian National Anthem because it was being play during a month long Moslem religious observance. Even in the workplace, the demands for conformity continue. I'm sure you've read about the recent incident where 190 Moslem employees at a meat packing plant walked out because the employer refused to grant them time for prayers (they pray seven times a day apparently). Yeah, they were all fired.

In Cologne Germany, over the Christmas holiday, there were "unsubstantiated" reports of "Arab looking" men in small roving gangs harassing, assaulting, and in some cases, raping individual or small groups of women. German Police have just recently confirmed these "unsubstantiated" reports as being accurate. In nearby Wuppertal, roving patrols of "Sharia Police" in nice bright orange security vests, spot checking women---Moslem and non-Moslem--to ensure they were "Sharia" compliant. Aside from the slight physical and verbal intimidation factor, these individuals attempt to force women (and in certain cases, men) into compiling with the "proper" dress code.

Already, demands have been made to government officials to cease "mixed gender" events, selling of beer ,as well as all other alcohol (most notably, immediate discontinuance of Oktoberfest), selling of pork products (and we know how Germans love their sausage), and smoking (there goes the famous Alpine pipes)...and this is coming from the new refugees! Although these individuals were eventually arrested amid complaints from residents, the local court released them without charges, which will certainly be seen as permission to continue with their "patrolling" and harassment.

The German Government had already requested that German school girls cease wearing shorts, short skirts and "revealing tops" in order to avoid "offending" the Moslem population. In addition, the German Government has requested "volunteers" to help clean refugee camps, including doing laundry, running errands, serving food, cleaning, and so forth. Failure to comply may result in a mandatory one year hitch in the German Armed Forces. Scandinavia has been reporting an huge increase in crimes, especially assaults and rapes . At first, the Governments of Demark, Norway, and Sweden, denied there was any such crimes being committed, however, thanks to the Internet, these governments have forced to admit these crimes are happening, and in far greater numbers than originally assumed.

Of course, we are all too well aware of the situation in France which has had a long history of dealing with "Sharia Police", riots, boycotts and "no-go zones" in certain sections of cities like Paris, Marseilles, and Rouen. England too has been hit hard by demands to "conform" , including a recent incident where a large water park in Stoke-on-Trent, where management has instructed visitors that their clothing and behavior must by "Islam appropriate" or they will be turned away. What is that supposed to mean? Why is a private company, no different than a Disneyland or King's Island, dictating this draconian type of dress code, and at a water park of all places! Several English city administrators and clergy have been told to stop ringing their church bells since the chiming "distracted' Moslem residents, which also found the ringing bells "offensive". There was a report from Ireland where Islamic clerics made a appeal to limit the height of church steeples so that they could not exceed the height of a Mosque's minaret. In some cases, demands have been made to prohibit the open wearing of Christian, Jewish, or other non-Moslem religious jewelry.

You know, 25 years ago, there were a small Moslem presence in this country and certainly the West and this simply didn't happen. Ten years ago, the presence increased but still this was rarely an issue. Even five years ago, still not so much. Nowadays, however, that's all changed. We're being told---not asked----to comply with demands; to do away with not just the traditions which have been a part of this nation since its founding, but that have been a part of Western tradition for thousands of years! Here in the US, we never heard Jews making demands, nor the Hindus or Buddhist, Taoists, Wiccans or Pagans. Meanwhile, Europe, especially Germany, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, and most especially England has been doing some serious butt kissing to these new invaders (the last Islamic invasion of Europe in 1490 which reached---literally---the gates of Vienna Austria. The Moslem Turks didn't surrender territories north of the Danube River until 1699. Parts of Southeast Europe remained under Ottoman influence, which didn't end until the close of World War I in 1918 (Greece, the birthplace of Democracy, was ruled by the Moslem Turks from 1453 until its revolution of independence against the Ottomans in 1821). Frankly, I don't see why the native inhabitants haven't been asking on bended knee for permission to stay from their new Overlords to stay.

Friends, the majority of Moslems are good hardworking people. However, many are silent when it comes to those who have hijacked their religion or who have committed unspeakable acts of cruelty in their name. Their silence is seen as approval by these individuals. It is these extremists, for lack of a better word, who are playing us for fools. They view us as chumps. They are trying to pull the biggest scam in history not just on America, or the West, but the World by feigning to be "offended" when they don't get their way, and when their numbers get large enough, they stop asking and start demanding. They are trying to use our democracy, our sense of freedom and sense of fair play against us in a way whereby we will lose all of it because our so-called "leaders" are afraid. They are afraid to take a stand for what they believe despite their rhetoric . They are afraid of confrontation because someone might get mad, and because they are afraid, they need you to be afraid too. So, they hide the truth. They ignore it. They downplay it. They play word games with it to make it sound benign like a fluffy little bunny. And if that doesn't work, they try to intimidate you into silence with all sorts of threats. Listen, appeasement in any of its forms doesn't work. It never has and never will. Appeasement is what the victim calls extortion. It's sounds nicer and more dignified, But with extortionist, they keep wanting more and more until you have nothing left. Not even your dignity.

Personally, I have nothing against any religion, race, ethnic group or sexual orientation. I may or may not agree with them, but frankly, it's not any of my business. I couldn't begin to care less. My take is that this is your life. As long as you don't harm, bully, threaten, or attempt t impose your beliefs on anyone (or anything) else, knock yourself out. We have the right and duty as human beings to be responsible for our own actions. When you start dictating to me what I can say, believe, wear, eat, drink and so forth, then we have an issue. We you start trying to impose your beliefs or values on me, especially through threats or attempts at intimidation and especially violence, then you have a serious problem on your hands. If you don't eat a certain food or drink certain beverages, like what I wear, or my music, or even like my politics or religious beliefs (if any at all), that's fine. You may leave at any time. If you have a problem with my nation's values, such as our freedom of (and by definition) from religion, free speech, equality regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality or the concept of individual sovereignty, you have the right to turn around and walk away. You can even feel free to call me whatever you want, but you may not spit, throw, hit, or harm me or my family. That may possibly result in a face-to-face meeting your higher power to discuss the situation personally.

America is a country founded on the concept of freedom with all its rights and corresponding responsibilities. It gives you the right to speak your mind. It doesn't give you the right to force me to change my beliefs, our common language, our accepted traditions--secular and religious, or our sense of individually just to make you feel happy. If at any time you feel "offended" by these, you have two options in my opinion. You can adapt and become a part of this terrific melting pot called the United States of America. Otherwise, feel free to visit any Greyhound bus station, airport, or US interstate and go to wherever you think you would feel more comfortable because no matter how much we may squabble amongst ourselves, we are Americans first and foremost, and that isn't going to change.

Pew Research: Muslims and Islam: Key findings in the U.S. and around the World
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/12/07/muslims-and-islam-key-findings-in-the-u-s-and-around-the-world/

Muslim 'Sharia Police' Patrol the Streets of Germany
http://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-muslim-sharia-police-patrol-streets-of-germany/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=WATCH%3A+%27Muslim+Police%27+Patrol+in+Germany%3B+Do+Israelis+Hate+Palestinians%3F+%28hear+what+they+say___%29&utm_campaign=20151223_m129002904_WATCH%3A+%27Muslim+Police%27+Patrol+in+Germany%3B+Do+Israelis+Hate+Palestinians%3F+%28hear+what+they+say___%29&utm_term=Muslim-Sharia-Law-Police-Patrol-the-Streets-of-Germany-249x169_jpg

Police arrest "Sharia Police" in Wuppertal, Germany
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/09/05/Police-arrest-Sharia-Police-in-Wuppertal-Germany/2811409937280/

Feminists Mute on Muslim Rape Epidemic Sweeping Europe
http://www.infowars.com/feminists-mute-on-muslim-rape-epidemic-sweeping-europe/

Muslims Demanding Their Own Sharia patrols in Michigan
http://wizbangblog.com/2014/02/22/muslims-demanding-their-own-sharia-patrols-in-michigan/

'New dimension in crime': Crowd of "Arab origin' blamed for mass sexual assaults in Cologne on NYE
https://www.rt.com/news/327927-cologne-new-year-sexual-assaults/

190 striking Muslim workers fired in Colorado after protesting prayer ban
https://www.rt.com/usa/327807-muslim-workers-prayer-colorado/

The Terrorist Attack on San Bernardino: Aftermath

On December 2, 2015, two individuals went on a murder spree. Both individuals, a husband and his wife, were Moslem. He was born here in the States, though his family is Saudi. She was born in Pakistan and grew up in Saudi Arabia. They had known each other for about three years; having met on a Moslem dating network. He had flown to Saudi Arabia, where they married about two years ago and had a six month child. They lived in a small non-descript apartment in San Bernardino, California, which is just a few miles from Los Angeles. He was said to be quiet, introverted, and was often teased goodheartedly for his patchy beard. She largely kept to herself, even from her in-laws.

Both were described as having few friends. On the day of the incident, he had attended a Christmas Party with fellow employees from the San Bernardino Health Department, located at a small business campus which worked with handicapped children and adults as well as with other health issues.

While attending the party, the man, now identified as Syed Farook, supposedly got into a brief argument with a fellow employee, a converted Jew, which prompted him to leave. He apparently returned home which was only a few miles away; the couple had previously dropped off their six month old at his parent's house. Farook, now accompanied by his wife, Tashfeen Malik, returned to the party, both dressed in black, complete with hoods, and outfitted with body armor and armed with assault weapons embarked on their campaign of carnage, leaving 14 co-workers dead and 21 wounded. According to witnesses, both causally strolled away and got into their black SUV and slowly drove away as police and emergency personnel began to arrive to find the grizzly scene...along with a parting gift...an apparent bomb...left behind by the couple.

A few hours later, while slowly cruising, the couple were engaged in a brief firefight by the trailing police, which included throwing homemade pipe bombs from their vehicle at the police amid the intense gunfire. The end result was predictable. Both suspects were killed in a barrage of bullets, all covered in detail by the news media. Images appeared a short time later on the Internet showing close-up stills of the aftermath for the curious.

The images portrayed the obvious. Law enforcement authorities quickly converged on the apartment, later described as a "bomb making factory" and booby trapped. A dozen or so pipe bombs and bomb making supplies were found side by side with a baby crib, next to toys, or laying beside baby shoes, not mention at least 2500 rounds of extra ammunition. Their computer hard drive was smashed, though authorities discovered the wife's allegiance to ISIS, posted online just before the killing spree began. Reaction was, of course, immediate. There were shouts of outrage that such a thing could happen amid all the security; in a "gun free" zone; as well as the "vetting" process used to screen the wife, which obviously failed. A few blamed radical Islam. A few more blamed the guns as if they had somehow acted independently of their owners. ISIS disagreed apparently and posted a message of praise and called the couple "martyrs" for Islam.

President Obama, while expressing his condolences to the victim's families, used the occasion to call for increased gun control, including "voluntary" surrender of guns as if somehow, those intent on slaughter or crime would be stymied by "gun free" zones like all the ones which had come before, including Sandy Hook. At the same time, Obama hedged calling this a "terrorist" event as he often has before. Implying that this was perhaps just another violent "workplace" incident like Ft. Hood, and far be it that he would equate radical Islam with the attack. A few in the media initially reported it being conducted by a white hate group. Not unexpectedly, the public knew better. They understood the magnitude of what had happened and what the underlining cause was, even if the President and those in the corporate media wouldn't admit it; as if either still retained any serious credibility with the American People.

This, unfortunately, wasn't the only recent terror attack in recent days. There have been others. In London, a man was attacked at the Leytonstone Underground, a subway station just outside of central London, by a knife welding man. Two others who suffered minor cuts. Before the attack, he had shouted "this is for Syria", a reference to England's bombing campaign in Syria against ISIS sites, and as he exited the station, shouted "that's for fucking with Mother Syria". While the victim's throat was slashed, he'll live and as expected, his assailant was quickly apprehended. Of course, Paris was the scene of a brutal killing spree just a few weeks earlier, on November 13, by supporters of ISIS's radical version of Islam, which left 129 dead and 352 wounded. Since then, there has been 10 additional attacks (not including the San Bernardino attack) conducted by Moslem terrorists affiliated with radical Islam. Most of these have been in Israel, although there has been three suicide bombing committed by members of Boko Haram which killed or wounded approximately 96 individuals in Nigeria and Chad (Boko Haram burst on the scene in 2014 with its kidnapping to 279 young schoolgirls which were to be used for sex slavery or sold as "virgin wives"). The most recent attack (as of December 6, 2015) was conducted by ISIS in Yemen which killed a Yemini governor and his six bodyguards with a car bomb. Since 9/11, there has been over 26,008 acts of violence committed adherents of radical Islam throughout the world. It should be noted that while the majority of those murdered have been Christians (mostly Eastern Orthodox), there have been a significant number who were Jewish, Hindu, Buddhists, Zoroastrianism and those who professed no religious adherence at all. In short, no one is safe.

What the West, and indeed the world, seems incapable or unwilling to accept is that this is a religious war no different than any other religious war which merges both politics and faith. It's a hard concept to grasp knowing that we are in the 21st Century and, at least here in the West, long ago consigned such wars to a more primitive past of stunted intellectual growth and superstition while placing our trust in reason, logic and the rule of law. Previous wars or conflicts were over ideology, though more recently they have been over control of resources and assets on behalf of global corporations through the power of State ("regime change" comes to mind).

Religious wars, however, are generally the bloodiest and most enduring since one is fighting on behalf of their respective god, and how does one explain compromise, surrender or defeat to God? If they win, they are justified in their actions, no matter how ruthless, by God. If they lose, they still believe they will receive some otherworldly consolation reward for their commitment. Therefore, anyone engaged in a war which incorporates religion into its strategy must acknowledge that it will be brutal and that everyone everywhere are potential players. There are no non-combatants.

Thus, it should be fought with overwhelming military superiority on the battlefield and with the same level of brutality in order to end it as quickly as possible. It must also be waged in the heart and minds by demonstrating in the most convincing manner possible that their particular interpretation being is flawed, and that is where non-radicalized Moslems have failed Islam miserably. For while they privately condemn the use of their religion to justify the bloodshed, they say little or do nothing publically. This can be seen only as acquiescence through silence. They must step up and openly denounce the hijacking of their faith and reclaim it for their own. Only then can the bloodlust be stopped. In addition, the West, as well as the world, must publically acknowledge this war for what it is and stop hiding behind political correctness and non-threatening phrases. We can no longer pretend the war is anything but what it is or that it will remain "over there". Sadly, many of our elected leaders of both parties lack the courage or foresight to lead, nor to speak honestly to the American People. This goes for the corporate media as well as a number of our so-called community leaders. It's time we face up to what is happening and why America. It's time we demanded leadership and honesty.


A List of Terrorist Attacks from 2015
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/attacks-2015.htm


Knife attacker slashes man in London 'terror incident'
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-stabbing-idUSKBN0TO0RA20151206#d5PlP74DJUMhoZs5.97


Boko Haram
http://www.theguardian.com/world/boko-haram


Africa Check: Explaining Nigeria's Boko Haram
https://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-explaining-nigerias-boko-haram-and-its-violent-insurgency/

A War of Religions

I saw recently where the Islamic terrorist group known a ISIS (or ISIL if you prefer), has gone on another murder spree and beheaded some 60 or so Christians who then posted it online as if it was video of someone's Summer vacation. ISIS, just like Boko Haram and their recent predecessors, the Taliban and Al Qaeda, has been capturing and beheading, hanging, burning, torturing, impaling, raping and even crucifying as many Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists as they possible. The estimate is in the thousands at this point. 

Collectively, these groups have brutalized entire populations and not just destroyed cities, but blown up and bulldozed irreplaceable cultural landmarks; all available online to drive home their hatred of humanity and commitment to Allah. Each time, they up the ante to be seen as more violent, cruel or simply gruesome. Why? While the answer is multifold, their goal is first and foremost to strike fear in as many people as possible. Fear, they hope, will cause people to flee or submit meekly in the naive hope that they will be spared.

The other reason is more calculated, and perhaps even more terrible. ISIS and groups like them are seeking a breaking point; that line in the sand where not just the West, but the world will become so repulsed that they will fully commit to military action; thereby infinitely enlarging the killing field to every nation on the planet. Again, why? Because of one word---God. These individuals believe with all their might and souls that they are the vanguard of a new "holy" global tempest; that their actions will result in the arrival of the 12 Imam, that is, their Messiah, who will then lead them of a worldwide on a "holy" Jihad of global conquest to destroy any and everything which does not conform to their interruption of Islam; Infidels, wherever found, will either convert on the spot or die on the spot.

What the West, especially the United States, has repeatedly failed to understand is that this is not a war over territory; it is not a war over the control of or access to natural assets. It isn't really a war over ideology as the Cold War was. In truth, this Pandora's Box which we've opened is about religion; something our national government and many in the Pentagon, CIA, and NSA have either failed to grasp or at least admit publically. 

 All wars are terrible, but a religious war is perhaps the worst of all since one is fighting not just for their spot in heaven, but on behalf of the very Will of God. It is through them that God will prevail. Therefore, how do you compromise or negotiate with God? You don't. Even if you're killed, you've assured yourself a place in heaven, so in a sense, your death is a victory. One can also check their humanity and any sense of empathy at the door since their religious leaders have, through their direct connection with God, already absolved them of any guilt or responsibility and bestowed on them the mantle of "holy warrior" or martyr. 

Thus by believing their actions are not just condoned by God, but commanded by God, they feel free to act without any sense of remorse or pity. So while specific individuals may be killed and their individual knowledge is lost, they automatically are enshrined in the movement's pantheon of martyrs to be emulated.

As if that wasn't enough, this type of religious philosophy also comes complete with its very own built end escape clause; namely that anyone killed by mistake will automatically enter heaven and no blame will be assigned to the one who caused the death. Thus if a child is accidently killed by a roadside bomb, no big deal. The child's death may be mourned but there is no punishment or any stigma. Nifty huh? One is allowed to do as they please with impunity since they have a "get to heaven guilt free" card so long as their actions are in accordance with the perceived "Will of God".

Finally, as I alluded to above, the atrocities being committed in the name of Allah are purely intentional. It's designed to raise the stakes each time in order to bring about the return of the 12th Imam, whom they claim is their Messiah. He will then lead the "Chosen Ones" on a worldwide Jihad to purge the world of all its non-believers---no exceptions; no deals; no compromises. From their perspective, the barbarity of their actions will eventually force the world's hand, resulting in global conflagration and thus purging the world of its infidels.

So, what do you do? Well, first is not to give these groups the opportunity to inspire fear, and that means limiting their access to 

a global market via the internet, especially the videos. Yes, there is free speech, but as every first year law student should know, there are limits to what is considered "free speech". Words (or actions) which incite are often not considered "free speech". Thus, their videos as well as web sites should be blocked or scrambled. Secondly, prohibit those who do manage to go either fight for ISIS or become "sex slaves" from returning. 

Yes, I know it sounds cruel, but you can never fully trust those who left to fight or "service" the enemy. They will always present a possible threat. Additionally, this raises the magnitude of their actions, which may be just what they need. For those groups who want to publicly threaten and besmirch America and Americans, as much as it pains me to say, they have that right. But on the other hand, where and when they are permitted to speak is something entirely different.

Punishment of terrorists or those who planned terrorists acts should be swift and severe. Some might argue that severe punishment, such as the electric chair or injections is "cruel and unusual". However, bear in mind that our Founding Fathers found that "cruel and unusual" applied to torture resulting in death. Founders like George Washington were forced to stand a number of individuals "up against a tree". I have to say that since the terrorists use violent means to execute primarily as a media event designed to inspire fear and make a political statement, so must the countries affected.

Lastly, and certainly the most controversial, we must never lose sight that this in religious war. Religion is its prime mover for groups like ISIS. In every war the principal objective is to remove your opponents principal sources of power. 

In some cases that might be oil production or plants, factories, or even food and water capabilities. However, in this case, the enemy's principal military asset is its brand of religion. Therefore, it has to be neutralized.

The quickest way to do that is getting moderate or even liberal Imams to go public often with their disapproval. This can accomplished in any number of ways. I would suggest using all of them since militant Imams from England to continental Europe though the Middle East and North Africa aren't exactly bashful in encouraging individuals (especially the youth) to become martyrs and join their "Jihad". 

 Next, we must operate as ruthlessly as they do. Finally, we must remove religious zealot of from their arsenal. This may mean re-employing a tactic first used by General John "Blackjack" Pershing during his tenure as military governor of the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century.

For those who are unfamiliar, Pershing had been stationed in the Philippines as the military governor following the Spanish-American War. While governor, a group of Muslims began an uprising. They proved to be tenacious guerilla fighters; they were a zealous as Al Qaeda is now. Since they believed they were guarantee a place in heaven for their actions (and especially for murdering any non-Muslims). 

Accordingly, Pershing would publicly executed any of these militants we could lay his hands on. However, before doing so, he would make sure these individuals were publically "baptized" and then after being executed, given a Christian burial. It would occasionally allow one to go free to tell the others what had happened.

This had the effect of denying these terrorists entree into Muslim heaven. That's right---no 72 virgins for these boys. Any bodies found belonging to the Muslim insurgents were given the same treatment. None of the bodies were turned over to their families for reburial. This action too served to drive home the message of no tolerance for militants. 

While many in Washington disapproved (and some were appalled), Pershing was successful in stopping the attacks by taking the religious aspect out of the equation. Once that was removed, so too was their willingness to simply die. Of course, I'm sure that today we would have to many apologists having a virtual apoplexy over the mere suggestion that we may violated some terrorist's rights and not that lives were saved and the fighting was stopped.

America and the World must wake up and understand that groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, and the rest are not going to stop until they're dead or they accomplish their goal of a worldwide Caliphate whereby everyone is either a part of their version of Islam or they are dead.

 Europe is being inundated by immigrants, especially illegal immigrants for Libya and Turkey. ISIS and others have already promised to insert terrorist cells within these groups. Russia, which has suffered at the hands of terrorists, must find ways to stop the militancy, both in the short term as well as over the long haul. The same can be said for China, India, most of Africa, and even South America.

The United States Government has long failed the American People by not securing the Southern border. We've also had one attempted act of terror. I have no doubt there will be many more. Like Europe, these terrorist cells come imbedded with the millions of illegal immigrants who cross our border weekly. 

 There has also been several stories of terrorist training centers just across our Southern border; operating in essentially "No Man's Land" controlled by drug cartels, who are apparently hoping the terrorists will kill them last. Such is their Faustian bargain with ISIS and Washington's hubris.

Like Ancient Nimrud--Are We Consigned for Rubble Too?

As just about everyone knows, I love history, especially ancient history. In fact, I consider myself a amateur historian. Ancient history tells us so much about ourselves; our origins; what motivated us; how we adapted and survived. It reminds us of our greatness and our weakness. In history too we see great leaps of knowledge, from reading and writing, to the use of the wheel and development of chariots, ways to harness nature such as improved ways to farm or animal husbandry. When reading about an ancient culture, I occasionally wonder who was the first person to come up with some unique idea? Was he a leader or perhaps a warrior? Perhaps some outcast or misfit? Maybe it was a woman who came up with the idea. Certainly they had more "free time" while the guys were out hunting or warring. What provoked the idea? Was it a survival need which had to be met or was it while relaxing and laying around daydreaming? Was it some group brainstorming? Maybe it was something like today. The guy get home after a week to two on the road pillaging and plundering, and the wife says "hey we have to find a way to do this or fix that, here's what I came up with" and the man goes off to tinker with it. He gets some of his pals over for a few beers and between them, they come up with a solution. Maybe it's true that nothing really ever changes.

I think that if I had it to do all over again, I would have been an archeologist, focusing on my two favorite historical epochs,

Mycenaean Greece (think Trojan War and the legendary epics of the "Heroes" like Jason, Achilles, Odysseus and Hercules) and the corresponding early Biblical period (think Moses and the Exodus up to the split between Judah and Israel). Most historians will tell you these people or events were real, at least partially real. Every myth contains at least a kernel of truth to it. But history, especially ancient history tells us something else. It tells us who we are. It is a reflection of our collective souls. That's why it really bothered me when I recently read about ISIS destroying some ancient sites and museum pieces recently. I couldn't help but think about what all those places and things had witnessed down through the centuries; what they had endured; the people and events which passed by them, only to be erased from history by a bunch of religious psychopaths.

One of the places destroyed was the ancient city of Nimrud, named after the mythical hunter and king, Nimrod and located about 20 miles outside of modern Mosul. According to legend, Nimrod built the foundations of the city. The city was enlarged by the historical king Shalaneeser 1 (1274 BCE - 1245 BCE) during the Middle Assyrian Empire. It was to remain the capital and royal residence of the Assyrian Empire until around 700 BCE when the Assyrian capital was moved to Nineveh. Nevertheless, it remained a principal city for several more centuries. The ancient Israelites, Greeks, Romans, and many others wrote about Nimrud. The site contained some of the best known statutes and other Near Eastern artifacts, with many ending up (thankfully) in the most exclusive museums in the world. Today, it's a thriving city and the region is, or rather, was the home of many of Iraq's Christians.

On March 5th, the terrorist group ISIS blew several locations at Nimrud, and then bulldozed the rest. Among the sites also destroyed was the Mosque and burial site of Jonah (as in the whale), Mosque of the Prophet Seth, and the Mosque of the Prophet Jirjis, located in Mosul along with thousands of ancient manuscripts and rare one-of-a-kind books. Earlier, in February, ISIS attacked a museum in Mosul, and using sledgehammers, destroyed even more ancient artifacts belonging to the Akkadian Kingdom, the first known kingdom in the world along with other ancient Assyrian, Babylonian, and Hellenists artifacts. ISIS also announced that it would destroy the famed gates of Nineveh. Meanwhile ISIS went on to destroy the ancient Parthian city of Hatra.

Hatra is located about 180 miles northwest of Baghdad and about 68 miles southwest of Mosul. Most people would recognize some of the monuments of Hatra from the opening scenes from the 1973 movie "The Exorcist", however, its ancient structures can be seen in just about any decent book about the Near East. The city itself was founded around the latter half of the second century BCE by one of Alexander the Great's generals, Seleucis 1 Nicator, founder of the Seleucid Dynasty. It was later capture by the Parthians around the 1st Century ACE, where it became one of the great cities of antiquity, known as an important religious and trading center. The city withstood countless assaults down through the ages, including those by the Roman generals Trajan and Septimius Severus. In time, Hatra became known as the "Alexandra of the East" for its peaceful infusion of regional cultures and religions.

I wonder if it was this reputation, as ancient as it might be, for tolerance that lay at the core for ISIS destroying it. Nimrud

too became a city known for its infusion of cultures and religions. Perhaps there's something to that after all since tolerance is not a word to be found in their lexicon. However, I think it's best to hear what ISIS itself said about the destruction of all these site. They claim that their Prophet Mohammed order the destruction of all "idols", and that includes all places where they are to be found they say. One has to wonder if they gave any consideration to the fact that other Moslem figures, and those much closer in both time and relationship to Mohammed, visited many of these very same places and did nothing. In 2001, members of the Taliban destroyed two of the oldest and tallest statutes of Buddha. Not reported by the corporate media was the destruction of Hindu and Buddhists statutes and sites in the Maldives in 2012 by Moslem extremists. In October of the same year, 19 Buddhist temples were vandalized by Moslem mobs in Bangladesh not to the mention terror attack on Mumbai in 2008.

In June 2014, a Moslem Saudi student, visiting Japan vandalized a Buddhist Temple and destroyed many of its statutes. Dozens of Hindu temples and shops have been attacked and burned in recent years as well. From 2007 until recently, dozens of Christian religious sites have been looted, burned, and destroyed, with the promise that "all non-Moslem sites and idols will be destroyed". None of this includes the thousands of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Zoroastrians, and others who have been murdered, robbed, raped, and kidnapped and forced to convert and then sold into slavery---yes slavery. Some girls, as young as nine, have been reportedly kidnapped and forced into so-called "marriages" with men as old as 60. Most end up dead or worse.

Let's not forget the promise of ISIS to do the same to the Vatican and eventually all churches and temples, or for that matter, even the White House. You may think they are just mouthing off, but recent history has shown that not to be true. They mean what they say. This brings me to another interesting point---where is the outcry from liberals in the US or anywhere else? After all, these extremists do not tolerate 'free thinkers", no "free speech", or smoking---of anything, nor do they accept booze, drugs, no going out alone...especially with guys, and no way will there be sex before marriage. Gay? Bi? Transgendered? How do you feel about being roasted alive on a stake or crucified? That's the punishment for not being strictly hetero. And women, you will be covered head to toe. No shorts, crop tops, no going topless and certainly, no bikinis! Think of how your movies, TV shows, sports, video games, and basically, your entire life will be fundamentally changed. Hell, no sausage, pork chops, hotdogs or bacon! If anyone should be at the forefront it is the liberals. If they think they're going to somehow be exempt, they may just get their heads handed to them...literally. And while I'm at it, where are voices and actions of those Moslems who condemn this perversion of their religion in private; in hush whispers? Are they afraid to act? If so, then who will save them because sooner or later, they will come for them too.

So, here's the rub everyone. ISIS has demonstrated its intent to deny the people of Syria, Iraq, and we might as well say the entire Near East, Africa, and Asia and eventually the West, their past as well as their future. By destroying their history, which in a way is also our history, it is attempting to cast civilization adrift; to alienate humanity from itself. They have promised us the same destruction they have imposed on others. All we have to do is nothing. Set back. Be silent. Practice a little "political correctness". Argue about whether they "really mean it" while they load their rifles, build their bombs, and prepare their suicide vests. I'm not saying Islam is evil. True Islam is not. It's a very peaceful religion, but what we're seeing is not Islam as it was intended to be. We're seeing a perverted version of it being allowed to run amuck. It destroys to gain attention and inspire fear for fear engenders obedience. It is purposefully threatening the World and each one of us individually. It is demanding Armageddon-- Ragnarok--because it loves death more than life. Tolerance is what it fears. Freedom in all its forms is what it hates. Strength of Will is to it what light is to cockroaches. So, what's it going to be folks? Forget about Washington. It's is hopelessly broken. What can we do as a united People--as Americans?



ISIS Has 'Bulldozed' Ancient Nimrud Archeological Site
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/iraq-says-isis-bulldozed-ancient-site-near-mosul-n318266

ISIS Militants Destroy Iraq's Ancient Hatra City
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/isis-destroy-hatra_n_6822106.html

ISIS militants destroy ancient statutes, relics in Iraq
http://rt.com/news/235859-isis-video-destroy-statues/

35 Invaluable Hindu and Buddhists Statutes Destroyed in Maldives
http://www.chakranews.com/invaluable-hindu-amd-buddhist-statues-destroyed-in-maldives-by-extremist-islamic-group/2224

Japan: Muslim Saudi university student vandalizes, destroys ancient Buddhist statutes
http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/06/japan-muslim-saudi-university-student-vandalizes-destroys-ancient-buddhist-statues

Radical Islam: Coming to a City or Town near You Soon?

Welcome to the war America. What war you ask? Or did ask which war---Afghanistan or Iraq? Or was it Syria, Gaza, or perhaps the invasion along our Southern border? It really doesn't matter. They are all wars and we're hip deep in all of them although the Commander-in-Chief has no plans; no national strategy; nor does he have an agenda except, perhaps, drawing another "red line" in some imaginary stretch of sand in some Godforsaken country. An imaginary line to match his imaginary foreign policy. He promised the Government of Ukraine there will be Allied troops on the ground should Russian Prime Minister Putin do anything; pick whatever you want. We still haven't done anything about the seizure of Crimea, nor about the shot down airliner and the hundreds of passangers who lost their lives. He orginially promised to solve our border crisis like Bush did, but like unlike Bush, he's totally undermined America. Just recently, the Farce-in-Chief promised to come to the aide of Estonia, along with troops from the EU. Don't believe it Estonia. He has no grand strategy for you either, except perhaps to dither while your government falls should Russia invade. If the situation is really bad, he might head out for a fundraiser or if it becomes a humanitarian crisis, then he'll likely go golfing.

Anyway, back to the point I set out to make originally. I was referring to the war declared on us by extremist Islam and its latest incarnation, ISIS or ISIL if you'd prefer. This too is a war Obama has chosen to ignore. Just because the bad guys have declared war on you, if you look the other way and ignore them, then just maybe they'll go away and with it, the war. Well, it didn't go away when they beheaded journalist James Foley or his family. And it didn't go away for journalist Steven Sotloff or his family either. For that matter, it hasn't gone away for thousands of Christians in Mosul who have been forced from their homes along with other religious minorities. It sure hasn't gone away for the hundreds of men, women, children, or Syrian soldiers who've been beheaded and had their heads put up on pikes in market squares, nor did it go away for all those publically hanged for being Christian or not being a radical enough Moslem. Nor have we forgotten those beaten and abused women who have literally had crucifixes rammed down their throats (go ahead and Google them. I won't show them here).

I have a lot of liberal friends. I love my liberal friends; they make life interesting. Groups like ISIS don't care how "politically correct" you all are. They don't care if you're interested in trying to "understand" them, or that you're willing to let them speak openly about what they intend to do to the West, and to our nation, or to us. It's not empty rhetoric like the kind you're used to hearing from Washington. They aren't just mouthing off. They really meant it--cross their hearts and hope you die. Atheist, agnostics, and Humanists like Drs. Stephen Hawkins, Bill Nye, or Neil Degrasse Tyson, I enjoy your work (I really loved "Cosmos" Dr. Tyson), but they don't care that you do or don't believe in a god or that we're just cosmic dust. The point is, they do. And you will bleed and beg for mercy just like anyone else, and like anyone else, you won't find it; not from them.

As for my pagan and Wiccan friends, I admire you. I've had pagan and Wiccan friends for most of my life. I really like what you have to say; I really do. There's a comforting sensibility to the relationship one has with Nature; not overly different from agnostics or Humanists if you think about it. But (and here's the rub), no spell, potion, or charm is going to save you from machete wielding murders intent on your dying for their god. They don't even mind dying for their god so long as they take some non-believers like you with them. What path you follow means nothing to them.

As for my many Hindu and Buddhist friends, I've enjoy learning about faith and becoming long time friends with several of you. I love the peacefulness your faith brings; the calmness and serenity. If only others could experience that, I truly believe the world would be a better place. However, there's a bunch of psychos out there who are totally committed to your complete and utter destruction. No matter the number of times you spin your prayer wheels or bathe in the Ganges, nothing will stop that. They intend to remove every trace of your existence, and they've already started by removing your sacred temples and statutes. Zoroasterists, I'm sorry to say that I've never met any of you. Your religion is one of the oldest and most interesting in the world. I bet you have much you could teach us, but you're faced with the same problem as the rest of us are, only greater. Same for you Shamans and Taoists. For the Kurds, Turkmen, Coptics, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Yazidis, Mandaeans and others small in number, you already know the lessons I am attempting to impart here. I wish you much strength and courage.

To my LGBT friends, I've known you all for years; hell, decades and you're some of the craziest cool people I've ever met. You may hope for acceptance; you might even think you've earned it or that its due you. Will, sorry to burst your pretty pink balloons, but this group of extremists I speak of see you as nothing but so much human waste to be eliminated as quickly and brutally as possible. My fellow veterans both here at home in America, and around the world, we are indeed comrades-in-arms. We share a bond few will ever know. It's an honor serving with each of you in one fashion or another. But know this---the enemy is here. It's breeched the gates---our gates and yours. We are a threat because we understand it; we know how to fight it; and we know how to win.

Now for all my Christian and Jewish buddies, regardles of whether you dunk, sprinkle, or tinkle, we have a deep problem here. We have an extreme element of a religion alledgedly known for being "peaceful" (and at one point, one of the intellectual lights of the world), which wants to butcher us all and destroy thousands of years of Western Civilization (not to mention most aspects of Eastern Thought). Now, I don't know about you all, but I can't accept that. I am quite proud of our Western Heritage and what it had created over the eons...things like liberty, freedom, democracy, equality under the law, philosophy, public debate, social experimentation, and increasingly equality of gender...of races...of sexual orientation...and religions. Sure, we've screwed up a lot of things over the centuries too (the Crusades, Inquisitions, Holocaust, a few genocides here and there come to mind), but we've sure have done a whole lot of things right too like science, exploration, trips to the moon, technology, medicine, social equality, and even moderate forms of capitalism. I also appreciate much about the Eastern World too, like medicine, technology, and philosophy. It's taken us awhile, but given how long Man has been around based on the cosmic calendar, we're not doing too bad for a bunch of upstarts.

Sure, we see things different when it comes to God, or gods, or simply the cosmic mystery, but that's ok isn't it? Because thanks to our collective thought, we've come to accept that we don't...we can't...know everything. Maybe we're not supposed to. I know I question whether we have the wisdom to grasp what we think we know now. But as we come to know more, and understand more, our collective understanding of nature, the universe, and yes, even of the Divine, will change too. It should. It's part of our evolutionary process. We cannot---must not---as the leading species on this planet---the "Crown of Creation"---attempt to hold back the hands of time. Yes, they once held validity. They represented those things we understood and those things we didn't. In looking at all of our diverse faiths, we must accept that there are many paths to the Ultimate Truth--call it whatever you will. We can and should embrace certain core articles of faith or truisms, and follow them wherever they led. How do we know they're true or not? Simple. Truths do harm to none. If what you're preaching and teaching causes harm, you're teaching and preaching the wrong stuff dude (or dudette as the case may be).

As for the Bummer-in-Chief, you need to get your act together. You're need to step up and lead this country and the "Free World" or someone else will, and it may not be to your liking or to anyone else's either. I personally don't think you were cut out for the job. I don't think you have the personal or professional experience or mental acuity for the job, but I was willing to give you a chance. Frankly Barack, you've repeatedly dropped the ball. The US Presidency is no place for on-the-job training. If you can't handle it, and I mean right now, get out of the way. There's lots of real Americans out there who are ready and willing to step up to the plate. America is, after all, a nation of leaders in case you've missed that memo while you were "out of the office".