Islam vs. Democracy; Why are they so opposed?
Part 1

Reflecting on the destruction of the Twin Towers and the terrible loss of life there, at the Pentagon and the lonely field in Pennsylvania, I take this opportunity to make some observations. From the moment I first witnessed the destruction live on television I began to wonder as so many others, what could possibly make those bright, well-educated young Muslim men destroy themselves and thousands of innocents.

I have lived in Pakistan, a Muslim country, and I feel I have some small window by which I can see the rationale behind this seemingly irrational act. We who live in our so-called "Democratic" country feel superior to the rest of the world for the freedoms we enjoy. Of course in Islam, there are sects and they range from liberal to extremely conservative. However, a theocratic government is the ideal for much of the Islamic world, certainly for those who embrace the more conservative and radical agenda that a theocracy implies. Sharia Law and a return to Global Islamic control under a Caliphate like the Ottoman Empire is the ultimate goal of the radicals.

If you could step back and see objectively the differences between our "free" and permissive society where, rape, pillage and plunder, murder and mayhem are rampant. Pornography of the most vile and unimaginable kind is a keystroke away from those with computers as well as prescription narcotic drugs. Broadcast T.V. is descending ever lower in its moral standards, and cable and satellite spews out filth unchecked. Every town now has a strip mall featuring Porn-stores with sexual aids and "Hooters" are popping up (excuse the unintended pun) around the country like mushrooms.

Every town and city are home to legions of convicted sexual criminals and violent offenders. Prisons are probably safer than the streets of the average big city. We hunker down with our alarm systems and closed circuit security cameras, clutching the biggest firearms we can hold, praying for protection from the next psycho out on early release.

35,000 murders and countless woundings are committed against our fellow citizens yearly, untold numbers of rapes and molestations, abductions and robberies and burglaries, home-invasions, car-jackings and drive-by shootings, gas station hold-ups, quick-mart murders, gangland turf wars. Welcome to the "Land of the free and the home of the brave". Welcome to:

----- "DEMOCRACY" -----

"DEMOCRACY", in all its glory, which the United States is spending blood and money to promote around the globe. Is it any wonder that many Muslims especially of a conservative bent, do not want any part of "DEMOCRACY"? When "DEMOCRACY" blossomed after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Alexander Solsenitsn, famous author, dissenter and Christian, wrote movingly of his distress at the "Liquid Sewer" that was pouring into Russia with the "Freedom" that came with "DEMOCRACY".

In much of the Muslim world, thieves have their hands cut off. Murderers and rapists are executed. Women are forced to dress modestly. I would argue that in many ways their society is a safer place than ours. For child rapists, it's one strike and you're out. Their prisons are not safer than their streets. They are hell-holes.

I was twelve years old and I walked the streets of Peshawar, Pakistan without fear of harm. A huge, bustling city, teeming with people, yet no one ever bothered me, accosted me, tried to rob me or rape me or molest me. Is there any city in our fair land where you would let your twelve year old child walk around alone at any time of the day or night? I don't think so. Anecdotal evidence is not the best but it gives a good overall impression of the differences in our systems. Of course crimes were committed in Pakistan and still are. But woe unto them that commit them.

Our system is completely insane. A friend of mine recently told me that he had a friend who was being sentenced to 20 years for failure to pay child-support. Who's going to support his children with him in prison? Maybe the violent felon who is out on early release will with his tax withholdings on his earnings while working in your town.

Though I do not wish to live under Sharia Law, I can in many ways understand a Muslim's desire to not live in a "DEMOCRACY", which may be being forced upon him and which he sees spreading unchecked. If they must kill others and themselves to achieve that goal, and they are promised "Paradise with 70 dark-eyed virgins" as a reward, it begins to become clear what may well be motivating them. The "Liquid Sewer" that Soshenitsn described so well is coming to a town near them and they don't want it. "Not in my backyard", is a well-worn slogan that could well apply to the war they feel justified in waging.

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people". Proverbs 14:34. God may be using these radicals as a wake-up call to us that God will not tolerate sin forever.

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