THE CRUSADES RESURRECTED.
84The Christian Jihad is Coming
The Christian Jihad
I began this day, Sunday, August 03, 2008, determined to maintain a positive attitude if at all possible. After the usual morning rituals and chores I decided it was a good day to take my grandson to a nearby park so he could practice riding his new bike. At five, having just learned to ride without training wheels, he needs a large, flat, open space. The park is within walking distance and has an outdoor, double basketball court that fills the bill quite nicely. Given the nearly one hundred degree temperature here in New Mexico almost every day, there is rarely anyone using the courts.
So, in high spirits, we set off for a day of fun in the fresh air and great outdoors. Little did I suspect that I was about to witness an event that would completely obliterate the joy and positive feelings I had hoped to share with my grandson for the day.
When we arrived at the park I was not all that surprised to see a number of gazebo-like structures being set up. They were basically like tents with no sides, just four poles holding up a peaked canvas top. There was another structure, somewhat larger, under which equipment for a band was being set up. Now, being an old rock musician myself, I wasn't really much put off by this development. There are a number of local school programs that occasionally hold outdoor events at this facility so I assumed one of these was about commence. Had I been a bit more alert I would have taken a look at some of the pamphlets and flyers that were being set out in the first tent/gazebo. I might have noticed a few small banners that had been hung on the fencing surrounding the skateboard area. But I was focused on my grandson so I did not notice that there were actually several passages from the bible adorning that fence.
To make a short story shorter, I had unknowingly walked into a fundamentalist christian "outreach" event. I first realized this when my grandson, after about forty minutes of bike practice on the courts, asked to go to the other side of the learning center building to use the playground there. This was where the "party" was taking place. After parking his bike by one of the concrete picnic tables where I could sit and keep my eye on him as he climbed, slid, ran and jumped around on the playground I began to become more aware of what was going on around me. A "pastor" from the church that was putting on this little shindig was forcefully reminding a growing audience about their responsibility to go out and "take ground" and "claim the land that god had given them". He reminded them a number of times that it was there holy duty and obligation to "support israel" through the auspices of "Christians United for Israel".
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/rapture-ready-the-unauth_b_57826.html
http://www.cufi.org/site/PageServer
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10052007/profile.html
http://www.democracynow.org/2006/8/15/christians_united_for_israel_new_christian
During the course of the morning and into the afternoon my grandson, fortunately oblivious to anything that was being said, enjoyed himself with the equally oblivious children of the "faithful" who had gathered there. I, on the other hand, witnessed quite an alarming spectacle. Several members of the local "clergy" spoke. They all focused mainly on the necessity for an intensified effort from all those who were "the body of christ" to go forth and convert everybody to the "one true god".
There was one young gentleman in particular who was particularly disturbing. He was fairly large and bulky with a shaved head. He was dressed completely in black even though he was out in the desert sun and the temperature was close to one hundred degrees. As he ranted about "taking the land that god has given us" and "taking ground" and "following god as he leads us to the lands we must take" he became increasingly agitated and vehement. He returned to the demand to "raise up israel" and "defend israel from all enemies" a number of times. In essence he was endorsing and attempting to legitimize the apartheid and attempted genocide being carried out by israel with the help of amerika. Eventually he became almost incoherent, repeating the same few lines and bits of phrases with ever increasing fervor. It was almost like watching someone masturbating and nearing climax. The guy was going batshit! When he finally fizzled out with a few feeble "amen's" the entire crowd, I'd estimate around a hundred, stood up and cheered this maniac.
Between these exhortations by various "pastors" for a renewed crusade and endorsements of genocide I was subjected to "music" from one of four or five "christian" rock bands. I've heard some very well produced and technically fine "christian" pop music. It's a burgeoning industry. These groups were not part of that category. They were consistently out of tune, off rhythm and incapable of singing on key in their "praise" of Jesus and the power of the one true god.
I was equal parts enraged, affronted, terrified and fascinated. Fortunately I was unable to approach and engage any of these "pastors". Their speeches were intended to fill the voids between sets and as soon as the next band was ready to play the speaker would disappear into the "flock" and any possibility of conversation was eliminated by the ensuing cacophony. Aside from that, my first obligation is to my grandson. I had to always be mindful of his whereabouts and actions. There were quite a few children ranging from, I'd guess, three to ten in age all scrambling around together in the playground. Their parents, however, were too busy praising Jesus to pay any attention to what their kids were doing. At one point a boy of around eight threw a handful of sand into the eyes of a girl of three or four. Despite her screaming and crying, no one came to her aid. It was necessary for me to bring the situation to the attention of the adults nearest her in hopes that they were or knew a parent or guardian. Had I chosen to ignore her she would have most likely spent fifteen or twenty minutes wandering blindly around the playground until she ran into an adult.
It is just as well I did not confront any of the speakers. I really wanted to ask what, after we have supported, raised up and defended israel, are we to do with all the millions of other Humans, especially the palestinians, who also occupy the middle east.
I really wanted to ask what they would have to say to me if I told them I was a devout muslim. Upon reflection it is probably best that I did not do so. I might have been burned at the stake.
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Comments
Yikes. I worry about Neo-Nazism and right wing Christianity being a breeding ground for it. The worse conditions get in the U.S. in regard to jobs and the economy, the more of a danger it is. I don't hear enough about it, and it troubles me, since I see hints of it in consipracy theories and more general-appeal topics now. I really am afraid we'll see violence here very soon. A bioresearch lab in CA was bombed over the weekend by animal rights activists. You wouldn't think there would be a connection, but my point is these groups feed on rage and are good at sucking in angry people. Very disturbing stuff.
CWB, unfortunately I have also seen these kinds of rallies growing in popularity across the U.S.
In the Name of God we can be exhorted to commit all sorts of crimes, and then claim "God wanted me to do it!"
I have decided that until I hear the booming voice coming from the heavens above I will not partake of any new crusade, no matter what the temptation, because I believe it is more ordained by secular politics and hatred than by God.
I do not know if there is a connection between Neo Nazis and people like this, perhaps not, but the tactics appear to be coming from the same book of protest and the growth of political movements - Mein Kampf.
I can't forget that the Nazis also used God and religion in their climb to power, only they hated the Jews, while this new movement seems to be the opposite in that regard.
Also, I know from having spoken with some of these New Crusaders* that their plan after Israel is "made safe" is to convert the Jews to Christianity, which they claim will become all the easier since Christ will come down and bless them for their efforts, thus convincing the recalcitrant Jews of the error of their own ways. Their words, not mine.
*They even have a comic book called The Crusaders.
Hello sixtyorso. Yes, fanatic is a pretty good synonym for fundamentalist and we have many of them all over the world. That, after all, is one of the main reasons for the existence of organized religions. Once a myth has become a widely accepted belief the resulting priesthood becomes the army of a theological dictatorship. The higher up the clerical ladder you look the closer you get to the despot in charge. It would seem that many ancient theocracies actually managed to convince a fair proportion of the populace that their ruler was actually some sort of mortal deity.
Here are some links you may find of interest since you mentioned nazism.
http://www.nobeliefs.com/Hitler1.htm
http://www.nobeliefs.com/nazis.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERchristiani
Here is one that shows some slight interaction with extreme right paramilitary types.
http://www.bluecorncomics.com/kkknazi.htm
These kinds of groups are really not much worse than the fundamentalist factions of the religions whose authority they usurp. Their purposes are essentially the same, to force their ideology upon everyone who can be “converted” and to exterminate those who cannot.
Scary? You ain’t seen nuthin yet!
Hi Pam. See the links I provide for sixtyorso above. I’m sure you’ll find them interesting.
It seems that the sale of drugs, especially alcohol, and religion are two businesses that profit more the worse things get.
Your fears are without doubt justified. If Obama can’t manage to keep the illusion in place there will soon be violence in this country the likes of which has not been seen since the civil war, only worse. I think that is the main reason he has been pre-approved by the fascist corporatocracy. They think he will be able to reinstate the consumer zombie delirium that many people are beginning to shake off. That’s always assuming the election happens. I still rather doubt it myself. In that case, unless you have a private fortress, a large and well stocked armory and a very loyal security force you might as well duck and cover. I sometimes wish we had one of those houses from back in the fifties with the fallout shelter under the back yard.
Unrestrained rage produces mindless actions and creates mobs spontaneously. Controlled and calculated rage can produce revolutionary forces. I’m afraid a population like the one in amerika, already largely mindless, is far more likely to produce the former.
Disturbing, yeah.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Hello Jeff.
You might also want to check those links above.
What really drives me crazy is the breathtaking hypocrisy of these people. When muslims talk and act this way they are unquestionably terrorists. For a christian or a jew it just proves what righteous and good people they are!
I would be very willing to partake of a quest with the purpose of uniting ALL the people of Earth in a single civil society in which ideologies were exclusively personal and had NOTHING WHATEVER to do with the functioning of civilization. You can worship at the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster for all I care.
We just don’t need to talk about it and we certainly don’t need to fight over it. It should never prevent us from working together for the common good.
Thanks for being here.
CWB, I'm very glad your grandson had fun and that you where there to help the little girl. Jesus would not much like those people at the rally, at least not the one I follow. He could have you there for a special reason...maybe the little girl?
I will not participate in any new crusades without written instruction from the big man himself. Although there are a few elected officals I could crusade on.
Some people believe there are no coincidences blangrehr. One never knows.
I'm hopeful we can all participate in a crusade to bring peace and freedom to all the people of Earth.
I believe it's possible.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I do agree with this.. You keep rocking... Thanks for the excellent Hub!... keep going on with the good process....
htiv. At 62 I'm not overly concerned with "increasing my vertical". Thanks for your comment though. I do appreciate it.
CWB, It's one thing to know these kinds of groups and events exist. It's quite another to innocently walk into their congregation when you're just trying to have a nice Sunday in the park with your grandson. My favorite line: "I was equal parts enraged, affronted, terrified and fascinated." Perfectly sums it up!
Glad you and your grandson got through it unscathed ... and unconverted:-)!!!
CWB - your hubs always provoke thought! It's scary this whole jihaad fever - and it looks like it's spreading like wildfire! Not just Christian jihaad but Muslim jihaad and Hindu jihaad as well. The basic concern is that when it comes to religion, one can happily dispense with logic and proof - whatever is preached from a pulpit does not need a rational reason why.
I am a Christian - for years, we've been priveleged to be India's educators - the best schools and colleges were owned and run by the Indian Protestants and Catholics. Today, what's in focus is the conversion of tribals by a few radical groups - either by bribery or by force and the reprisals. The trouble is, it spills beyond the actual events to a larger stand-off by two groups. And like you said, their final seal of approval is the 'fact' that either god/s will come down and bless them for their faithfulness - this kind of destructive vitriol has to spring from someplace where there is a vested interest, don't you think?
yikes. that's sort of frightening. extremism in any form or arena of life is never healthy. gotta shoot for that happy medium. oh yeah, and don't go around invading other countries and picking fights based on shaky premises like difference of religion
Thanks Mighty Mom. I pretty much stayed away from that park on Sundays after that incident. I have a very hard time keeping my mouth shut in such situations and that's a trait that's gotten me in trouble from time to time.
That's the whole point isn't it Shalini?
I don't care what name a religion hides behind. Fundamentalism is a dangerous animal plain and simple. Often times organized religions can be a lot like gangs. They offer a false sense of family to people who feel they've been abandoned by society. Once they've been "adopted" they're that much easier to manipulate.
artfuldodger, your attitude is one that I wish was shared by a lot more people. Thanks for the read and comment.
So true CWB - and with so many feeling 'abandoned'. it looks like we're letting a monster loose on ourselves, aren't we?
The monster has been amongst and within us for a very long time now Shalini. I believe, however, it will soon be slain and the human family will be united for the first time since we left Africa so very long ago.
I like the title of the hub CWB. I believe this will all fade when America is back to economic stability. People do need to clutch to something right now so religious people have particularily large mega-phones.
Don't hold your breath WR.
Taking physical land is not New Covenant in nature. It is connected to elemental religion. Therefore, it is false and dangerous. Taking land is crusader talk, and Sarah Palin will be the queen of crusades if she is ever elected.
Welcome bgamall.
I think you clearly got the gist of my essay. Dangerous is exactly what I felt these folks to be.
Thanks for taking time to read and comment and especially for becoming a fan. I'll be checking out your hubs soon.
"Often times organized religions can be a lot like gangs. They offer a false sense of family to people who feel they've been abandoned by society. Once they've been "adopted" they're that much easier to manipulate."
I know this is an older hub, but the title caught my eye. Fundamentalists are very scary, and they do adopt a gang like attitude. Good comparison. If we let them, they'd turn into the taliban in no time. It is fascinating as well, kinda mesmerizing like watching a different species.
"...like watching a different species."
And that's one of the main problems with religion TC. It's utterly divisive. Unless you're part of a given cult, you're an evil infidel, as far as that cult is concerned. Multiply by the thousands of cults that exist and the results are totally explosive.
Also, though I know many take offense, every religion IS nothing more than a baseless cult.
It is amazing to me that so many people, living in such a scientifically and technologically advanced world, with so much information available, can cling to such primitive, barbaric rituals.
Yeah CWB bgamall nailed it, "Taking physical land is not New Covenant in nature." Quite a few years ago I read that some of the southern Protestant seminaries were infiltrated by zionists. They are trying to hijack Christianity in the US. Grace Halsell wrote a book about them called "Forcing God's Hand". I posted some of her book reviews in this thread just to tick the morons off. It shuts them right up.
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/22722?page=10#post
You might also want to read this thread about the zionists interest in Jerusalem. Now this is getting scary and too close in my opinion.
http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/24460
By the way I came here from Paraglider's Hub as his newest member of the Bloodless Revolution. :-)
http://hubpages.com/hub/bloodless-revolution
Mike
Make Money, I learned in my first few weeks at HP to stay away from the forums. I'm just not into gratuitous hostility.
If you liked the bloodless revolution, check out Dropout Nation.
http://dropoutnation.blogspot.com/
Thanks for adding some fresh ideas to my old hubs.
I don't blame you for not participating in the HubPages forums CWB. :-) Yeah I've been to the Dropout Nation blog. I've read a lot of the articles there but not them all yet, some good stuff. I suggested the 'No Left Turns - Michael Gartner' article to Paraglider which he posted on the blog. I really like the idea of the bloodless revolution so I've been posting the links to it whenever I get a chance.
Thanks, Mike
Thank you Mike. I and we appreciate you.
sixtyorso says:
16 months ago
Ouch. But I guess we have all sorts of fanatics. I watched a program on The History channel (or was it Discovery - I forget) about a Rally of the Neo Nzai's in the USA and they can say and pretty much do as they please as they are protected by the bill of rights "free speech' amendment.
Pretty scary world we live in.
Interesting Hub. Food for thought.