JOSEPH HOLBROOK
I smacked my forehead the other day when I realized the truth of it: "Of course! People can be talked into believing in . . .insanity!" How could I have missed it? Some years ago I penned what seemed at the time to be a very mundane observation: "People can be talked into believing anything." The truth of the quote pops up on an almost daily basis, but I never considered the adage applying to "insanity". I guess I just never thought insanity would be anyone's desired goal. I guess I was wrong. Camaraderie will apparently share any tenet.
Recall the cartoon printed in Denmark and people rioting in cities throughout the world. "Find the cartoonist and CHOP OFF HIS HEAD. KILL ALL WHO HAVE PRINTED the cartoon." What's that legal definition of insane again? Something about being unable to differentiate between right and wrong? The appropriateness of cartoons can certainly be questioned and civil protest is acceptable, but chopping heads off over a drawing. . .sounds insane to me.
There are people being reared and indoctrinated to believe that God wants them to be murdering, suicidal, barbaric war mongers. The more they are hated by the civilized world, the better: It seems if you're hated by the "infidels" of the world (and apparently everyone is an infidel but them) then you're doing what God wants. . .. and he’ll love you for it. "KILL THE INFIDELS and when you die you'll reside in the highest level of heaven." The destruction of America is at the very core of their theological doctrine. Just ask them. They're proud of it. Gather round. . . there's insanity being taught here.
It could be concluded that there are grave religious misinterpretations going on, but frankly, that just doesn't cover it. The guilty factions may be called radicals, fanatics and extremists, but what they are finally is "INSANEISTS". They're teaching insanity and the theological facts behind their psychotic dogma couldn't be more obvious: It finally becomes clear that no matter what is said, they neither represent nor worship the same god as the rest of the monotheistic world. Their actions and rhetoric stand as flawless evidence: By their interpretation, the rest of the world is filled with heathens that (their) god wants them to destroy. What a text book example of irony and what a savage, angry, maniacal, and ugly way to live the gift of life.
Whether individuals manifest insanity and horrors by way of mental disease and defect, or they carry out acts of terrorism in compliance with some demented interpretation of a theology, the dilemma for the civilized world is the same. When institutionalization isn't possible, the final answer, unfortunately, is both abhorrent and unavoidable. And though IT IS NOT the preferred recourse of an enlightened society, such malignancy must be excised before the world is poisoned beyond repair. These INSANEISTS are Evil's prize representatives on earth today and out of necessity must be eliminated if there is to be a civilized future at all. I'm reasonably confident that it's not possible to simply. . .change their minds.
In another of my files, I ask: "If it took mankind this long to get from barbaric to now, why does the trip back look so short." These INSANEISTS are a glaring example of why. I despise them for how they make me think. It's not who I am, nor who I ever wanted to be.
Societally speaking, Religions are evaluated based on how they represent themselves. How their tenets are perceived and practiced lends credibility to the wisdom of their theology and in turn, societal acceptance by the population around them. . .or not. In this public regard, it doesn't matter what spiritual claims are being made. After all, most allege to represent the same deity. And though it should be evident that All the doctrine from All the religions can't be concurrently valid, all wise members of every faith request only mutual respect and non-violence, allowing each to practice his or her own religion in peace.
The devout followers of ALL Great religions need to take THE MAJOR ROLL in controlling and purging those deranged individuals who practice degraded, violent, or diabolic forms of their theology. It should be evident from history and present day horrors that if they don't take on this duty, the base religion will be held accountable. Again, it really doesn't matter what claims are made. In the eyes of those who suffer the indignities and the loss of life, responsibility will be seen to lie squarely at the feet of the original theology. Deductive reasoning seems to work that way. Right or wrong, it's the way we think. . . the greatest majority of us anyway.
If for any reason, a religion's "holy words" can be so misinterpreted or misused as to cause death and destruction outside the religion's own domain, then it's necessary for the devotees of that base religion to step up, dispose of the lunatics and reclaim the sanctity of their belief system. If they refuse or deny the responsibility, then Complicity, Denial, Cover up, Cowardice and Guilt will be among the first things on everyone’s mind. . . absolution will be the last.
No matter how large its constituency, calling a religion "Great" is certainly a worthless proclamation if a large portion of the fold interpret and practice it in such a way as to endanger the whole of civilization. If a religion is to be of real value to the world at all, and if it is to be truly Great, it must at the very least share equal responsibility in promoting and maintaining the free and peaceful coexistence that all sane and reasonable people of this world demand. . . no matter how they worship. (Joseph Holbrook ©2006 )
INTRODUCTION:
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Addendum: The Responsibility of Great Religions
I'm aware of the proper definitions for "insane" and "Insanity". Out of sheer desperation, I admit to
using the words as hyperbole in the commentary below. Actually, in a court of law, the evil being wrought
these days doesn't even qualify for such an informed and compassionate verdict as "insane". The barbaric
actions and radical goals are much too calculated. It's horrifying that civilization has to deal with
them. It's even more horrifying that mankind can so abominably distort our most precious birthright . . .
free-will.