Is the World on the Verge of Religious War? Will Democracy Disappear?

There has been a movement afoot for some time now to demonize Islam. In fact, there is a giant effort on the part of atheists to discredit religion altogether. Read Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and others if you aren't aware of that effort.

Anyway, Islam. Wow. What a religion, eh? Yes, it has its violent doctrines, its determination to either convert the world to Islam or destroy it in the trying. And perhaps Western democracies should be continually on the alert.

Still, there are those who insist that Islam is a religion of peace. Well, it may seem that way, and at the beginning of the Koran it appears Muhammad had peace in mind. But as you get further and further into that book, you find the tone a lot more intolerant; in fact, it becomes a declaration of war against all infidels. That's the rest of us, by the way.

Before you take up arms against your Muslim neighbors, remember this: Many evangelical and conservative Christians are ready to overpower the US government and turn America into a 'Christian' nation. They base their Chosen Mandate on the Bible. And many of them are prepared to do whatever it takes--Second Amendment solutions, as recent Congressional candidate Sharon Angle put it. Bring on Armageddon. It's what the Lord would have them do.

Are we on the verge of a worldwide religious conflict? All evidence supports that view. And if it's so, how do we who love peace respond to all the anger and fear and deceit and distrust, especially when both sides are claiming that God is on their side, supporting their cause, and ready to smash their opponent, usher in a new Islamic or Christian age and crush all dissenters?

One more thing: Behind the scenes are the money changers, ready to capitalize on the conflict, no matter the direction it takes. In fact, they do a little pushing now and then. Profiteers love war.

Can we bring a true peace--of any kind--to the world in this day and age? What do you think?