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IS THIS OUR FATE?Reader comment on item: Zionism's Bleak Present Submitted by Geno M. (United States), Oct 11, 2007 at 00:31 Perhaps the fate of world powers, like team sports, are tied to momentum. In 2007 it is not difficult to see what direction the planet is heading. Islam, for good, or most probably ill, is on the ascendant. Daily, new examples of this trend abound. For the first time in its history the Empire State Building will glow green to honor the Islamic celebration of Eid-al-Fitr. In Indonesia, Barbie-like dolls are donning Muslim garb. In Europe, Catholic priests urge the faithful to call God by the name Allah. And in the midst of this dihimi-like behavior we shrink from expressing the slightest spark of passion about our heritage or even simple pride in our core identity. Even in America and Israel, Jews afraid to call themselves Zionist. What twilight zone landscape have we stumbled into? The paradox is that while Islam remains firmly and barbarically planted somewhere in the 12th Century, Are these values not worthy of genuine defense? Even in Israel, Jewish pride is being replaced with something smaller and weaker. Zionism is not a epithet, but an expression of pride in Judaism's two thousand year legacy. It is from the Jewish experience that some of the most singular accomplishments in science and music and art and philosophy originated. Thus, Zionism demands nothing from the world but the meerest acknowledgment that for two thousand years the Jewish people has paid dearly with Jewish tears and Jewish blood for the right to possess the tiny sliver of land called Israel. This then is Zionism. So for Jews in Israel to feel ashamed to call themselves Zionist is tantamount to spitting on the graves of those who were, to accurately use a recently bastardized phrase "martyred". Likewise, for the Empire State Building to shine Muslim green on the ashes of the "martyred" World Trade Center victims is not something that ought engender pride in our hearts, but evidence that we in the United States are in the process of losing our souls. Instead of urging Catholics to call their God by the name Allah, the emphasis of the Church should be urgently teaching the faithful why Catholicism, in the 21st Century, is a religion of peace, and why for fourteen centuries, Islam has unquestionably proven that it is not. Let us be clear for once. Please, just for once, let us be clear. In this world there are two forces vying for the soul of humanity. One is possessed of light and truth and gentleness and decency. The other, by something entirely different. On a daily basis, and in myriad ways, Islam reveals itself as an aggressive and malevolent force; a death cult and a disastrous plague upon the Earth. Whatever moderation as may be left in that faith is suffocated and drowned beneath the rabid mob. The voice of Islam, as demonstrated by its actions, is crystal clear. It is only our perception of Islam that is muddy. When the common man can no longer tell the difference between right and wrong he will deserve the consequences that follow, as darkness must surely follow when the last candle falls from his weak and trembling hand. Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments". << Previous Comment Next Comment >> Reader comments (114) on this item
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