Ephraim, I was attempting to state a belief, not an argument

Submitted by Rick House (United States), Apr 29, 2007 at 12:19

Ephraim,

Like a lot of the us, I find the current religious and geo-political situation in the world a maze with seemingly unlimited twists and turns. I admit it. I have no all-encompassing solution to it. Because I don't, my heartfelt belief is to disengage and get some breathing space. Too many analysts, commentators, politicians, and diplomats are arguing the same things over and over. The repetition of the discourse is overwhelming -- and solutions seem non-existent. No wonder some of us want to step back and catch our breath.

I'm an historian. I know historic struggles like the one we find ourselves in have occurred before. I also know that it takes time (generations) to bring resolution to them. Because I know this, I posit that a timely disengagement in the struggle is as necessary to the ultimate resolution of the struggle as a retrenchment and/or an all-out assault are.

I ask you plainly. Do you see the current religious and geo-political situation resolved in your lifetime? How about in the lives of your children? If your is answer no (like me), you have to ask yourself whether your cause is attainable through continuous engagement. For me, I don't think it is. Historic movements, like the one Islam is now engaged in, have a life of their own. They speed up, change direction, expand and contract, and evolve. They never simply end. The only thing we can do is survive it.

What's the best way to survive an historic movement with your fundamental beliefs and traditions intact? (My answer to your "fun" postulations) I don't know the answer. I suspect no one does. I only know that when I go to a dance, somethimes I sit some dances out. It gives me time to catch my breath and take in the scene and the ladies. Timeouts do have their uses.

Sincerely,

Rick House

Denton, TX

Ps: My disengagement belief is offered in concert with a strong containment policy... It's also one of my beliefs that Islam's strength comes from expansion. If we can contain its expansion, we allow ourselves a chance to breathe and weaken them at the same time.

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