The rise of Islam

I don't typically go to Al-Jazeera's website. I don't speak or read Arabic, but they do produce English articles and some are good, like this one.

The heart of this article blames the decline of socialism and secular governments on their being defeated by Israel in a particularly humiliating manner - that manner was quick and assertive.

So, then apparently, men in these countries became disillusioned with socialism and turned to Islam to restore their honor.

Even the article notes with particular daring that after 40 years of turning to Islam, they are still getting their asses handed to them.

Clearly, the style of government or its religiosity has little to do with being a 'power' and showing military might.

More disturbing about this article is really three points. 1) They blame Israel for the rise of Islam and 2) They think as long as Israel holds lands it seized there will be no peace and 3) their ego is what is important, more important than peace.

There are certainly conflicting ideas in this article. It seems almost nostalgic for the socialist secular governments that are under attack by the religionists. Then it turns and goes after Israel for being what it is - a country. Those countries that attacked Israel, Jordan, Syria and Egypt, did they really attack (or defend) that land because of secular reasons - for the good of those countries as secular entities? No, of course not. They participated because with their three countries to Israel's one - they were going to make those Jews pay for taking land. Because, you know, land is more important than people.

What, did they have some logic that Israel was going to keep taking land until they conquered Egypt? Clearly, after getting their asses handed to them, if Israel really desired to take them over - they could have disabled those governments, so prevention of being ruled by religious people other than your own religion isn't the justification.

So, what, is Islam threatened by the Jews? Are they, with their 2% of the world's population (or less) going to kill or subjugate over 1 billion Islamic people? No. They just live in an area of holy land.

Going back to the article - it seemed that the context would mean - that all because they have bruised male egos - they needed to turn to Islam and try and kill people - and continue to do so because of this babyish idea that they need to save face. Screw it. The land, isn't so important. Children, family and the future are important. What land they live on - isn't particularly important.

Well, if god wants to protect his holy land, he better show his power and do it his damned self. Those people, the Palestinians - that were pushed off their lands - look, it sucks. It wasn't a really nice thing for the Israelis to do. Yes, perhaps a little reparations would be due. But for now, I think we can all believe one thing sincerely. Go find someplace else to live and thrive. Come back when you have made yourselves financially powerful enough to give monetary inducements to the Israeli government to give up its lands.

Just staying there to be subjugated is dumb. Just staying there to raise young children to become men and suicide bombers does nothing for your future, but end it. There is so much Earth and even with 6.5 billion people, there are still plenty of places to live.

To stay there in Israel or near Israel, to stay in the refugee camps in the neighboring countries has no future. You cannot get an education in these places. You cannot plan a future in these places. You cannot earn millions of dollars in business under the conditions your people are under at present.

The best thing to do, is to find a new home or homes. To raise new generations out of the shadow of war. To earn money and cherish life over land. Then, if those later generations think its all so important to go back to Israel and get back your native lands - you go for it. With cash in hand, peaceful plans on sharing the land and cooperation.