Reza Aslan

I just finished reading both of Reza Aslan's books: "No God But God" and "How to Win A Cosmic War". The book No God But God is a good background on Islam; how it started and how it got to where it is now. How to Win A Cosmic War is about the current situation in Islam and the movement of Jihad. If you want to understand what is happening in one of the most pivotal events of our times, I recommend both.

A War on Terror

The natural response to violence is more violence. This was best exemplified on 9/11. We were bombed and Bush bombed back. Escalations in violence resulted in further escalation on our part. So it continues. But is this our best and only recourse?

As detailed in Oren’s book, “Power Faith & Fantasy”, America has been in conflict with the Middle East for over 233 years, with essentially no real change in policy or approach. This has not resulted in one stable government or long term peace in the region. The West’ policies have in fact greatly exacerbated the problems as has our unquestioned support of Israel and blind eye to its crimes. The West’ policies are in fact a large part of the current problem.

This is lack of insight into the Middle East has become more detrimental in the last 90 odd years with the rise in Islamist fundamentalism, onto today’s Jihadist. Instead of addressing the fundamental causes of the problem; poverty, education, the lack of equality, and meddling in the affairs of other countries, the West has continued with the same failed policies of supporting corrupt dictators, war, and religious incursion.

We simply cannot continue with failed policies and expect a different result.

There is one glimmer of hope today in the fact that President Obama has chosen to pause and consider his options, before sending more troops to Afghanistan, and is looking for a new approach. No doubt he will be derided by Hawks who fail to see the mistakes of the past and offer no other options for the future. But it is only through open dialogue and fair treatment of the Middle East and its people, can we ever hope to achieve peace.

The Jihadist continues to taunt the West into further military action. Their goal is global war to end all wars; a “Cosmic War” of Good vs. Evil as Reza Aslan has described it. And as Aslan has suggested, the only way to avoid a cosmic war, is not to engage in it. The only logical path before us is to step back from the abyss and find another path.

Please. Just Prove It.

I find it interesting that over the last several thousand years, the church (religion) has generally been running the show. They have worked hard to dictate our morals, our laws, and public life. Where society has failed, the blame is laid squarely at the feet of the disbeliever, secular disorder, or humanistic evils. Certainly, no blame is directed at the flawed theology of religion. Anyone who has disagreed is usually publicly humiliated, and in many places tortured and or executed. Even the briefest look at human history bears this out. It’s an undeniable fact.

In recent history, with the waning power of the church and enlightened thinking, some have dared to question the unchallenged rule of the church. Some have even dared to question the validity of the church itself. Today, many of us are asking for out right proof before allowing the church to run our schools, our government, indoctrinate our children, or influence the direction of the sciences.

So I ask, please, just prove it. It’s an easy question folks. You have these world wide religions who ALL claim to be "the only true religion", "the only means of salvation”, and who all supposedly speak for god. These religions all want to control every aspect of human life - thereby taking away the "free will" supposedly given to us by "god".

All I ask, all I have ever asked, is that you prove that what you say is true. I also ask that if you cannot, then you must listen to what I have to say.

The response thus far has been interesting. No one has offered one piece of convincing proof. None has answered any of my questions. Instead they accuse those of us who dare to ask of being “mean”, “hateful”, and “disrespectful of their religion". Is it because we ask for proof, or is it that they have no answer? When asked to respect other people and faiths in public settings, they play the victim and claim discrimination.

I think that after millennia of autocratic rule, presumptive authority, abuse, and murder in the name of god, it’s about time that some one demanded the religious world prove themselves. That’s right. Just prove it.

Until then, I would ask that you please keep your religion out of our government, our health care, and our lives.