For as long as I can remember I have been interested in what happens in the Middle East. I have studied events there in centuries past, and I pay close attention to what happens there today. Because of the highly complex nature of this troubled region of the world, I do not think I will ever run out of material!
I also know that this was the place that God chose to send His Son, Jesus, into our troubled world. You might wonder why? Since the fall of Adam and Eve, the world has become a violent place, with much of it seemingly centered precisely in the place where He was born. For a Messiah to bring a message of “Peace on earth to those of good will” it makes sense that He should come to a place where peace is most needed.
Since His birth in Bethlehem, many layers of civilization have come and gone in this area, with each sometimes building on or more often destroying what came before, e.g. the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greek, Romans, Byzantines, Muslims, Turks, Armenians, English, French, and even Americans. It is a wonder there is anything left!
Today, the dominant story is the rise of militant radical Islamic fundamentalism and its impact on the region, Arab culture, and the response of the world to it.
Because Jesus was an actual historical figure who lived in real places such as Nazareth and Jerusalem, from the very beginning of the Church, Christians felt the call to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land to “touch the stones” where Jesus walked. That continues today
I have been fortunate these last ten years to lead an annual pilgrimage of around 50 people on a two week trip to this area. We examine the archaeological evidence for the various biblical stories in the Bible.
My articles and posts about this area will feature insights about ancient archeological finds, modern political realities, and the spiritual insights that we can glean from both.
- Why do Radical Islamic Fundamentalists Hate America?
- Understanding Events in Egypt
- Can we send our son to Iraq with a clear conscience?
- Catholics and the War on Terror
- Pilgrimage Security Briefing
- Hezbollah 2006 War Articles
- O.T. Violence
Click here to open Why Do Radical Islamic People Hate America
Please share, below, if you have visited the Middle East, maybe even on one of our pilgrimages to the Holy Land. Did you feel safe?
I’d also be interested in your thoughts about the last two paragraphs, particularly if you agree or disagree that the battle today is within Islam, not between Islam and the west?
God Bless!
Father Dave
Thank you for a very good article that helps me understand better the “mystery”‘of Islam. I conclude from this that the only real mystery is what St. John Paul II called “mysterium iniquitatis,” or the mystery of sin. Adherents to Islam lack the truth; they have the wrong religion. Probably they are not courageous enough to examine this possibility. An Indian proverb says, “I don’t love because I don’t feel loved. I hurt you because I am hurting inside.” So it goes with the Islamic fundamentalists who deep down are mere bullies, or unloved souls. Deep inside them reigns chaos, not grace, and they lash out at others. How might we change this culture? Whom shall we send? These world crises are the crises of saints.
I can see your point that the battle is within Islam. I guess we can only pray that Sunni and Shiite will see how they are destroying the things that are really important to them and that peace, free enterprise and the rule of law will set the Mohammedans free. to live creative lives.
Sadly, we have an issue in our Country with regard to maintaining the rule of law. When the President decides to open the boarder, he is disregarding the rule of law. Also sadly, many people in our society side with him on the basis, I think, that “those less fortunate” should be given-to from our abundance at the expense of free enterprise.
Thank you for bringing issues to light.
Why radical Islamic people hate America because of the following reasons:
1) within the Islam religion itself, there are a few factions just like Christianity (Methodist, Baptist, etc). Those that breaks away from the main stream wants power to control others. This spring from the distorted teachings of Islam. They want the whole world to know that there are no other religion that powerful as theirs and everyone has to bow down to them.
These are the radicals that make use of America as a scapegoat to achieve their goal. As we know, America is predominantly a Western country and inherit the Christian faith as well as a superpower, they will destroy America first. Using religion to achieve their objective is one of the most sinful way, The breakout branch of Islam are mostly being inculcate the wrong teachings of the religion. These are what we call “Satan” trying to reign the world.
From the very beginning Christianity comes before Islam and spread to the rest of the world. Then come Islam which one to defeat Christianity to conquer the whole world with their teaching from the Prophet Mohammad.
Another reason can be that these radicals are being make use of by some other political powers who don’t want religion to stand in their way. Thus they use these radicals by instigating them to fight against America. When both religions fight, both will lose in the end and the third party that is the invisible political power will have a better chance of winning.
Why choose America?
Because America as most of the other countries in the world knows that America will definitely help, To stop America from helping others, the radicals have to destroy America first. Different political ideologies breed conflict and war. Everyone wants to be a superpower and so is America.
It is here that the right values of religion is proper instilled into the minds of the people when they are young. Too many different types of religious teachings will not produce a peaceful world.
It is not wise to mix religion with politics and that is why it is the reason why Islam radicals hate America.
Please comment.
I continually pray that knowledgeable and peaceful Muslim leaders will help turn the tide against the extremists who cause so much destruction in the world today, especially in the Middle East. The answer to terrorism must come from within Islam.
The torments, the battle for power and dominion and tribulations are among the them the Moslems; they and only can solve this apocalyptic violence.
Yes, I agree that the power to restore peace in the Middle East resides precisely with the people who live in the Middle East!