Letter To Islam

Dear-Muslims-who-are-ignorant-when-it-comes-to-how-democracy-works:  Neither the U.S.A. or its people have insulted your prophet.  We are a democratic society, and enjoy certain freedoms, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion. 

When you have freedom of speech and freedom of religion, those freedoms come at a cost.  One of those costs is the ability of others to say what they want, and to practice any religion that they want.  Sometimes that speech and that religion (or lack thereof) can be offensive to others.

It's unfortunate that one of the more than 300 million people who live in our country legally is so rude, hateful, and stupid as to record what he did that you took offense too.  It's even more unfortunate that modern technology enabled his hatred to spread around the world.  But it's most unfortunate that you respond with your own vicious brand of violence and hatred.

By the way, did you notice that we've arrested him and are currently holding him in prison?  And did you get that he was already a criminal in American terms --- who violated the terms of his probation in making that stupid movie?  Rest assured that if there's a way to prosecute him and stop his criminal behavior - without curtailing the freedom of more than 300 million other Americans - we will do so.  But I digress.

Let's talk about those Americans that you condemn and wish death for?  They include over 7 million Muslims, who worship in more than 1,200 Islamic mosques ... 25% of which have been built in the last 8 years.  Did you know that Islam is the fastest growing religion in America?  Did you know that America has had peaceful, mutually beneficial relations with many Islamic countries for decades?  Have you taken the time to get even a clue about how America really views Islam?

You see, we welcome Muslims to America and guarantee their right to free speech and freedom to be as Muslim as they want to be.  And we've welcomed them here for more than 150 years.  You just attacked THEIR embassy and killed THEIR ambassador.  And now you protest against them and call for their death.

You've offended and hurt them.  But then again, maybe that isn't so surprising.  We're sadly getting used to seeing Muslims killing even Muslims throughout the world.  And you know, those are some of the places, like Iraq and Afghanistan, are where Americans are laying down our lives and spending billions to make Muslims free.

 

So here's the thing.  We Americans are happy to stand side-by-side with you and respect your right to be as Muslim as you want to be.  We'll fight for your freedom just as hard as we've fought for our own.  But unless you lay down your swords and stop the infernal war between Islam and the west, no one is free.  Is that what you really want?

False Gods

When I first really gave my life to Jesus Christ, I began to read my Bible earnestly. I mean I read it daily, and spent time seeking understanding of its truths. I'll confess that I found the most relevance in the New Testament. I'd occasionally make a visit to the books Psalm or Proverbs. But for the most part, that was the extent of my interest in the Bible.

A few years ago, I started to intentionally spend a bit more time in the Old Testament. As I went, I began to see some fascinating truths. It seemed that the true nature and character of God were being revealed me in so many new ways. Even today, I believe the Old Testament is probably the best place to get to know who God really is ... and has always been (since He never changes).

It's been said that those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it. I'm finding real tangible evidence of that simple truth as I read the Old Testament. Seriously, I've probably been spending most of my daily Bible time in the Old Testament now for a few years. And it's fascinating the connections that I find between ancient history and modern times. It's also been said that things don't really change that much over time. I'm discovering evidence that would indicate this is especially true when it comes to the human race.

When you read through the Old Testament you find that the Israelites ... God's chosen people ... had a recurring problem with false gods. They encounter the one true God. He would reveal Himself to them in magnificent ways - often accompanied by some incredible miracles. They would of course fall on their knees, worship Him, commit themselves to Him, etc. But over time, they drift off to their own versions of God or just abandon Him altogether and go worship someone or something else.

This pattern was repeated time and time again. Real God. False gods. Real God. False gods. It was like some cycle that they were doomed to repeat. Now the thing is, I'm finding incredible relevance between that pattern and what happens in modern American culture.

Since the time of Abraham, there's been Judao-Christian religious movement. Unfortunately, it has spawned a plethora of religions and even denominations within religions. But just as unfortunate is what they've done. A surprising number of them have ended up worshipping false gods. Seriously.

They start with the one true God who revealed Himself to Abraham. But then they add to Him or subtract from Him. What's left is not who God is. Nevertheless, it's the god they're now worshipping. So they think they're still worshipping the one true God. They don't even know that they've abandoned that God in favor of another god that they apparently find more suitable.

So how does this happen? Recently someone asked me if a Baptist could be equally yoked in a marriage to a Jehovah's Witness. Now I know the Jehovah's Witnesses are the religion that Americans like to make light of. Many of us have chuckled at a Jehovah's Witness joke ... usually about what we find to be their annoying method of door-to-door evangelism. But they say they believe in God and in Jesus. Let's consider then what it is that they believe about God and Jesus.

Jehovah's Witnesses have religious beliefs that are in many ways similar to other Protestant religions. They believe, for example, in the authority of the Bible. They trust in Jesus' death and resurrection for their salvation. But the similarities probably end there. For example, even though they believe the same things about the Bible that the rest of us believe, Jehovah's Witnesses have their own translation of it ... the "New World Translation." (I've never read it, so can't say what's different about it.)

The Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe in the doctrine of the Trinity. They point to the fact that the Bible never actually uses the word Trinity. But they ignore the fact that Jesus said He is God and Jesus said the Holy Spirit is God. So this is a God who reveals Himself to us as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit with distinct personal attributes - but without division of nature, essence or being. It became known as the trinity ... three in one. But the Witnesses don't accept that.

Interestingly enough, the Witnesses accept Jesus death for their salvation, but they don't believe He is God. Instead, they say He is God's "first creation" - as opposed to being the Creator. Now think about that for a minute. They are taking the definition of God as He has revealed Himself to mankind ... and they are subtracting certain aspects from it. The result is not the God who is. They end up worshipping a false god --- a god who isn't.

But let's not blame Jehovah's witnesses. They aren't alone. Islam believes that Jesus was a prophet --- and not the Messiah. Jews believe the Messiah is yet to come. They're all subtracting from the true definition of who God is. Then too we have the Catholics, who add to the definition of God. Catholics, for instance, give deity to the Virgin Mary and to dead people whom they determine post mortem to be saints. That is not who God is. So they end up worshipping a false god --- a god who isn't.

These are all monotheistic faiths who trace their origins to Abraham. But even though monotheistic faiths believe in only one god --- we can see that they are not all believing in the same god. And there are many other differences in what they believe - which end up being perversions of what's actually true. Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe that hell exists, for example. Catholics believe there's another spiritual place --- besides heaven and hell.

So the key thing here is that Jehovah's Witnesses, along with Jews, Muslims, and even Catholics refuse to accept the one true definition of who God is. Let's be clear here. God defined Himself when He revealed Himself. And He continues to do so today. So if any religion adds or subtracts from that definition ... this one true God is not who they're worshipping. They're worshipping false gods - and they don't even know it.

It would appear that history does tend to repeat itself. More importantly it appears that if modern day Christians are ignorant of the patterns of behavior that the ancient Israelites displayed in worshipping God or false gods, we are doomed to repeat their same mistakes.

So, who is the God that you're worshipping today? For you see, it isn't enough to believe in God or even worship God. It matters very much how we define him. It matters very much that we get God right.

Ground Zero Mosque?

Okay, I guess I've sat on the sidelines of this debate long enough. Today's newspapers are chock full of articles, editorials and letters (from readers) debating whether Islam should be allowed to build a mosque near Ground Zero in New York City.

There seem to be varying views on the subject, but the most vocal are the people who find it offensive and disrespectful. They argue it was a radical brand of Islam that launched the terrorist attacks on the U.S. on 11 Sept. 2001. And even though most of Islam globally has said it doesn't support the attacks, these vocal Americans say it's offensive and disrespectful for Islam to take such a prominent position near what we now see as a "sacred" site (whatever that means).

So of course it's time for me to wade in with my magnificent wisdom and lead everyone to the truth of the matter. I think there are a few of simple truths operating here. And they seem to feed the conflict. Let's consider each of them.

First up is the fact that it was a radical brand of Islam that engineered the attacks on the U.S. in 2001. It has been a radical brand of Islam that the U.S. has been at war with ever since, mostly in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and to a lesser extent, Iran and Palestine. And while the rest of Islam globally has said it doesn't condone such behavior ... it hasn't said ... or done ... enough to convince us of its sincerity and authenticity.

The simple fact is that when there have been catastrophes and atrocities globally, the U.S. has traditionally gone in full force with our checkbooks open. We've given vast sums of wealth - literally billions and billions of dollars - in addition to the sacrifice of thousands of American lives. And we've done so to make wrongs right in this world.

What has Islam done? Where are the troops from our Islamic allies? Why hasn't Jordan or Saudi Arabia sent troops to fight with us in Afghanistan? Why hasn't Kuwait or Dubai sent troops to help us in Iraq? Why haven't these wealthy countries helped fund rebuilding of infrastructure in Iraq? Or feeding the hungry in Afghanistan?

Those are the questions that frankly Americans need to have answered. And let's be honest here, the fact that Islam has been so silent leads many Americans to question its sincerity and authenticity. We want to believe that Islam is a peaceful religion and that we can live side by side with Muslims. But the evidence and circumstances surrounding us day in and day out suggest that we don't have shared values, and cause us to doubt the claim that only radical Islam is the problem.

Secondly, Americans have suffered one of the greatest wounds in our country's history on that fateful day in 2001. Never before had our country been attacked in such a way, and in the absence of a war. That civilians were so slaughtered, and such blatant disregard for human decency was exhibited was among the most hurtful things Americans could imagine. Western countries looked on in horror. The unimaginable had happened.

Because this atrocity was so heinous, the so-dubbed Ground Zero in New York City has come to be viewed as a "sacred" site. Rather than rebuild the business skyscrapers that were there, New York couldn't bring itself to do anything but build a memorial. The new tower rising up is a mere shadow of what was destroyed. And it is being built mostly as a memorial. Americans envision that this will become a solemn place of prayer, remembrance and reflection. It will likely become the most patriotic of physical sites in all of America.

So it is offensive that the particular religion which has its name on this atrocity now wants to be a part of the landscape near our "sacred" site. I confess that I'm not sure what it means that the site is considered "sacred." But I get the emotional charge that it carries for many Americans. How would Islam feel if Americans built a Christian church two blocks from the center of Mecca - their sacred site (that we aren't even allowed to visit)? That such a thing would never happen only fuels the offense that Americans feel.

Our President has pointed out that any legitimate religion has the American freedom to build a house of worship anywhere it wants in our country. He is right on that count. They do. Perhaps Mr. Obama displayed some of his most profound insight when he later clarified that he was not commenting on the wisdom of building the mosque there. And that is the point. That you chose this site to build a mosque demonstrates your complete lack of wisdom.

If Islam were truly a peaceful religion ... if Muslims were really people of love ... if there were respect for Americans and an effort to share basic standards of human decency ... Islam would do a lot of things that I mentioned above. It would wade into wrongs and give generously. It would sacrifice lives fighting for what's right. It would also not do some things. It would not, for example, have a double standard where Islamic governments fund mosques in the U.S. --- but don't allow even open displays of Christianity in their countries.

To the point of building a mosque near the site of Ground Zero in New York, Islam could show some simple respect and human decency. While they have the right to build the proposed mosque anywhere, they should have the common sense not to. Out of respect and love for the people of America, Islam should instead give generously to rebuild the site that their radical brothers destroyed. Frankly, if Islam had been a better partner and ally in this mess, I doubt that Americans would find the proposed mosque's siting so offensive.

There have been two Islamic mosques built within just a few miles of my house in the past few years. Both are brand new. Both are expensive and tasteful houses of worship. One of them I drive by all the time. I see the cars coming and going. I see the additions being built on, the parking lot being expanded. It's clear that Islam is firmly rooted in my community and is growing. To be honest, I don't find either one of them offensive or disturbing. In our community, my wife and I have tried to engage them as friends. We've had Muslims in our home.

But sadly I don't see any Islamic soup kitchens or homeless shelters. I don't see the mosques adopting underprivileged schools or sponsoring foster care for abused children. There aren't any English-as-a-second language or adult literacy classes meeting in these beautiful mosques. There aren't any mother's day out or twelve step recovery programs meeting in them either. I don't see them taking mission trips to help rebuild New Orleans or bring clean drinking water to the poor in rural Mexico. They aren't a collection site for clothes for the poor, and don't have any outreach programs to the homeless.

To my Muslim brothers and sisters in America, I say that I want to believe you. I want to find your religion a credible, peaceful religion. As a Christian I don't have to agree with you to love you, respect you and live peaceably with you. We've proven that with the other religions that don't acknowledge Christ as the Messiah. But what you don't do is much more troubling than anything that you do. And if that wasn't the case, I suspect you would find much less opposition to the building of a mosque near Ground Zero.

As an American, I'm not proud of the mouthy protesters who are screaming about how offensive it is that you might build this mosque in New York. I wish they'd settle down and focus more on being reconciled than being right. Certainly you have the right to build the proposed mosque anywhere you want. But then I wish that you too could focus more on being reconciled than being right.

Let's be clear here. This debate isn't about your rights. Rather it's about you doing what's right. But then that's something we Americans just have never experienced with Islam. Until we do, I expect Islam in America is going to find itself faced with increasing opposition on a lot more fronts. And you'll discover that this debate between Islam and the rest of America is not really about the proposed mosque.

Muslim Terrorists

So another self-anointed terrorist tried to blow up a 60 some story office building in Dallas yesterday. Of course it was all over the news --- very dramatic. At least it gave the nightly news people here locally something exciting to talk about. There were a couple of observations that one could make here. One is short term and situational. The other is longer term and philosophic. Let's take them in that order.

So this so-called terrorist tried to blow up an office building. But he failed. Why did he fail? Actually there are several reasonable hypotheses to form on that question. For starters, he was in the U.S. illegally - so the Immigration & Naturalization Service ("INS") was already after him. It's a little hard to remain inconspicuous when you're at that status.

Then there's the fact that he was only 19 years old and not very wise. But I suppose the biggest indication of his foolishness was the fact that he turned to strangers on the Internet from whom to purchase the bomb he planned to use. As his luck would have it, the strangers he turned to and purchased the bomb from happened to be the FBI (the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations). They are the ones who actually sold him the bomb ... and they were smart enough to sell him a fake bomb.

So this guy was not a genius. But perhaps the longer term observation can be made about Islam in general. Yes, he claimed to be Muslim. He claimed that his objective, his mission from god, was to kill the Christians and Jews who might be in or around that Dallas office tower. And the world was not surprised.

I suspect the true Muslims cringed, saying to themselves, "Oh no, not another nut job! Why do these crazies always have to tell people that they're Muslim? We'll never get taken seriously if they don't stop this nonsense!" And you know, they would be right in saying that. Islam will never be taken seriously as long as it has these nut jobs setting out to destroy innocent people in the name of that religion.

I noticed an advertisement on the side of a city bus this week. It was advertising Islam, and inviting the viewer to a web site or phone number if they wanted to get answers about Islam. I suspect Islam will have to do more about public relations than advertisements on the side of city buses. These self-appointed terrorists are just about to ruin Islam's reputation with sane, rational people.

Islam's Impact?

Many people talk about the growth of Islam. It is said to be one of the fastest growing religions in America. There were protests in London last week regarding the "Islamification of Europe." To be sure, Islam is advancing in many parts of the world. But that is only half the story. In western societies (and many others too) there is a contemporary religious revival going on. The world in general is getting more religious.

Muslim societies, in their weakness, seem to have re-embraced Islam. America of course, in its strength, has re-embraced Christianity. Western Europe remains solidly secular (but offended by Islam's advance there). But I believe there is something we could notice. It is that the Muslim world in general seems to resist secularization. So if you look at the Muslim world's social, economic and moral failures, as well as the terrorists groups within Islam, it might seem that the problem is not too much Islam --- but rather too little Islam.

Islam is a civilization framework that rests on the tripod of private ritual, public ethics and individual spiritual striving. The legs of that tripod must balance each other. But the current Islamic "revival" (or advance) is operating only in the field of religiosity: focusing on naked symbols and rules, proclaiming the superiority of Islam while adopting indiscriminately the technology, economics and cultural products of the west. It emphasizes Sharia law as a set of fixed boundaries and even punishments --- rather than a framework of what's possible based on principled living. The public realm of Islam is too often reduced to the state, and the political agenda of these states seems to be simply to seize control of the society and repress it. How forward is that?

The result of how Islam is advancing seems to be an unworkable and dysfunctional union of inner and outer worlds. They're symbolized by contradictions in Muslim landscapes. Home interiors are spotlessly clean, for example, while the streets of Muslim neighborhoods are trashy. In some third world Islamic areas, they look downright nasty! Islam has traditionally been viewed by its participants as being characterized by generosity, courtesy, hospitality and warmth. But most of the world sees little of that nature and character today. Islam isn't known for its charity to the poor, for example.

So what's happened? Simply put, we are seeing the advance of Islam in the world. But it is a watered-down brand of Islam that is advancing. That is very different from the Islam of history. Remember that Islam suffered true military defeat by colonial powers many years ago. Since then, it has experienced a traumatic rupture instead of an evolution into modernity. These are not the times of the infamous crusades.

For decades, colonial rule was blamed for the dismantling the institutions of Islam. Then westernized leaders were blamed. But let's look at reality. The Wahabi House of Saud (Saudi Arabia's ruling monarchy) has, for instance, demolished about 95% of the historical buildings in the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina. They blamed it on "fear of idolatry." But it appears that they did so really just to make way for the true gods of the modern times: consumer outlets and gated accommodation. Meanwhile, Gulf city-states are characterized by rampant commercialism, brand worship, gigantism, strict class segregation and a calendar of festivals and events designed by marketers. While they proclaim to be Muslim - they work very hard to look and act western.

The economic news is worse still. For all the oil wealth and bragged about capitalism, the 57 member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (the OIC) account for 22% of the the global population - but generate only 6% of the world GDP. An Islamic alms tax (zakat) of 2.5% on the sovereign wealth funds of Gulf countries would produce an annual $75 billion wealth transfer to the poorest Muslim countries. But it isn't on anyone's agenda for the Muslim countries to use their vast wealth to help the poor. So the wealth transfer is just one direction --- from the west to the middle east.

Key Islamic values like justice, fairness and education have also been ignored. Meanwhile, and illusory counter movement to the collapse has been led in the Sunni world by Wahhabism. This puritanical reform movement is painfully literalistic, unimaginative and viciously sectarian. As anti-intellectual as it is anti-mystical, it rejects the flexibility of the traditional schools of law. It's influence has been projected far beyond the Arabian desert by oil money and by the ungodly Saudi-US alliance. An example would be the more than 3,000 Islam mosques the Saudi government has built in the U.S. The result is a schizophrenic response to the west - passivity and collaboration on the one hand, terrorism on the other. What are Islam's true colors?

So while Islam continues to advance globally, its own architects seem to water it down to such an extent that it becomes simply a modern-day religion. In that context, it is no more dangerous --- or effective --- than any of the other false religions that are advancing in this world. So perhaps the only real question is whether or not Christianity can make a better showing than Islam. And frankly, that's another day's blogging entirely --- because Christianity's advance hasn't fared much better!

Islam Neighborhood?

I've blogged about this before, but I think it is worth revisiting the fact that Islam is coming to your neighborhood. If you already have Islam in your neighborhood, then it is growing.

I live in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex (U.S.A.). Today there are 13 Islamic mosques in that metropolitan area. (Two of them are in Plano, where I live.) They represent more than 100,000 Muslim people - who hail from 62 different countries as immigrants - and who speak 65 different native languages. (Talk about a melting pot!)

The Islamic Association of Collin County (where I live) claims to serve about 7,500 Muslims in the area. They do it through the mosques. They do it with child care centers and schools. They do it it with classes. And of course, they do it with a variety of services, prayer, Sunday school, summer school and Qur'anic and Arabic classes.

Should we be concerned about Muslims who live in our neighborhoods, own businesses in our communities and go to school with our children? Are these Muslims working on any specific agenda in our midst that should concern us?

I may be one of the few Christians who own a copy of the Qu'ran (aka Koran). Let's consider some facts from the Qu'ran and some news bites in America today.

1. There are more than 3,000 Islamic mosques in America today. Most were constructed at the direction and with the financing of the federal government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

2. The Qu'ran, Islam's holy book, states that Jesus is the word and spirit of God. But - it considers Jesus not as the exclusive word and spirit of God. Rather it considers Jesus as one revelation. It considers Noah and Abraham as as other revelations of the word and spirit of God. Islam considers Muhammad the final revelation of the word and spirit of God. They view Jesus as equal to Muhammad, but they view Muhammad as the last word.

3. Every Muslim is on a jihad to please God and spread what they consider to be the only true religion on earth, Islam. The rest of us mistakenly understand jihad to be the violence committed by Muslims. Rather the Qu'ran describes it as the lifelong struggle to do what they understand God requires of them. Ironically, Christians have a very similar belief. Jesus said, in His Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for doing what God requires."

4. Many Muslims presume that Christians believe in three deities, God, Jesus and the Virgin Mary. Why would they? We can thank the Catholics for this heresy. They have, for generations, prayed to the Virgin Mary, worshipped her, and treated this dead woman as a god. A sect of Catholicism actually exists completely around Mary. (It's called, 'Maryology.') So Muslims see a brand of Christ-follower that doesn't make sense to them. Ironically, it doesn't make sense to true Christ followers either!

5. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has given tens of millions of dollars to Harvard University and the University of Arkansas to fund Islamic study centers. Other prestigious American schools are developing Islamic studies. Recently in the DFW metro area, a high school was in the news for hosting an Islamic briefing for its students - where the religion was "explained" to the entire school student body.

6. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. Various surveys and news reports, including those run by Christians, reveal that more Americans are turning to Islam. Ironically, more Americans are turning from Bible-based Christianity as well. Reports indicate that they are disillusioned with Christianity and that Christianity "has not met their expectations." (I wonder if Islam will.)

Islam is a missionary religion. One of the fundamental practices of Islam is to share one's wealth with the poor and invest one's wealth to spread the cause of Islam. Muslims celebrate their growth.

So should we be concerned that Islam is in our neighborhood? Should we be concerned that more and more, Muslims are our neighbors?

I should think at the very least, we should be aware. American Christians, it is time to stop being ignorant about Islam and Muslims. They are becoming an increasing part of our world with increasing influence. Anything that does that should get our attention.

Oil & Sharia Law

Do you know what Sharia Law is? It is basically the set of Islamic rules used to govern a people when a country or state is officially Muslim. It is far-reaching, covers unimaginable things - and has even more unimaginable consequences. It is Sharia Law, for example, that prohibits women in Saudi Arabia from driving, going out in public without a male relative to chaperon them, holding public office, or even leaving the country without permission of their husband or father.

It is Sharia Law that says a woman who has committed adultery will have her hands bound behind her back, be buried up to her breasts - and stoned to death. It is Sharia Law that beheads those it deems to be infidels or evil in any way. It was Sharia Law, as a matter of fact, that led to the catastrophic incidents of 9/11 - where thousands of innocent people were murdered for the cause of Islam.

Are you starting to get the notion that Sharia Law isn't such a good thing? Why then do Muslims claim their religion is a peaceful religion - if their law is so troublesome? Frankly, one can only conclude that the people who describe Islam as a peaceful religion are either ignorant of their own religion - or evil themselves. Sadly we are left with no other conclusions to draw.

So what does this have to do with oil and gasoline prices? President Bush was in the Middle East this week, asking our so-called ally in Saudi Arabia to increase output of oil to east the pressure on prices. What did they do? Basically they thumbed their nose at him. They had already increased production by 300 million barrels - and indicated to Mr. Bush that they believe "there is sufficient oil in the marketplace at this time." In other words - they are quite happy with the prices and believe that the consequences are worth it.

How could anyone draw such a conclusion? Economies around the world are being crippled by oil and gas prices. Food costs are going up. Starvation is stalking millions, especially in third world countries oppressed by these prices. And Saudi Arabia believes this is okay.

I've blogged before about the thousands of Islamic mosques that the Saudi government has funded in the United States. Not a single Christian church has been allowed to be built in Saudi by the U.S. government or any of the U.S. people. But we have more than 3,000 Islamic mosques here now - courtesy of the Saudi government. So catch a clue, folks ... THEIR AGENDA IS TO FURTHER THE ADVANCE OF ISLAM GLOBALLY.

I heard a radio show this past week where a high-ranking Islamic Imam was talking about the fact that their expect to have Sharia Law fully implemented in England. He was open about the fact that England will turn from its monarchy and Christian church rule - to embrace Sharia Law. Christian Amenpour, the reporter conducting the interview, pushed back. She questioned why anyone would voluntarily subject themselves to the radical restrictions this would bring about - and the massive changes in British society. His answer? "We will do it peacefully, or by force, but we will do it."

I believe him. In fact, I get the sense that if we were to vote for an Islamic president and implement Sharia Law in the U.S., gasoline prices would drop to $1.29 per gallon. I may be the screaming lunatic here, but I believe the price of oil is being artificially manipulated by the Muslims in order to force pain onto the western world and motivate it to do things their way. We are being held hostage by our oil addiction. The only way to free ourselves from this tyranny is to break our slavery to oil. I pray that we do that before Americans lose their nerve over $9.00 per gallon gasoline - and start to rationalize Sharia Law "for the sake of the economy."