I have just come back from a long vacation in the USA, where they are starting the long process of deciding who the next president will be. One of the big issues seems to be the use of the term “Radical Islam” or “Radical Muslims”. It’s interesting that an election in the USA has such a strong focus on the use of the English language.
While I was there I saw evidence of radical Islam on the streets of the USA. One guy had the temerity to confront the US military machine and the federal government at the risk of everything he owned and lived to build. In effect to surrender everything in his life for his ideals. People were even on the streets celebrating his achievement! He was a radical Muslim without a doubt. And they laid him to rest in Louisville – Muhammad Ali.
Over the past year I have met similar radical Muslims in different parts of the world. People that have given up on all of their “normal” life in order to provide support for others in need. People that stop caring for themselves for the sake of serving others. That’s radical.
Surely people do not want to exclude them from the USA? But I think they do. You see these radical Muslims are the antithesis of the rich men that build towers emblazoned with their names. The rich men come from dust and will return to dust, their towers will crumble and soon be replaced by a new rich mans tower. They and their achievements will become nothing. As for their greed and the hate and fear they are generating, that is less than nothing. In the balances they are “found wanting”. The lives of the radical Muslims cry out that the emperor has no clothes, they challenge everything the rich men live for, and so will always be hated by them.
Is there violence, aggression and intolerance in Islam: without a doubt, and I have also seen that myself. But I recently also saw a Christian pastor celebrate the killing of 49 people because they were gay.
Are the terrorists all radical Muslims? Well, perhaps we just need to look back at the troubles in Ireland to think about that. Two groups of killers claiming to be Christian. Were the IRA Christian terrorists? No – they were terrorists that claimed to be Christians. Could I say categorically that they were not Christian? No, and their brand of Christianity was leading them to be involved in terrorism. That is why we all need to challenge religious views that offer support to the violent and the haters, whether Christian or Muslim (something I think we are failing to do – but that is another story).
I believe some of the radical Muslims could make a real positive difference in the USA and the country would do well to welcome them. However I have to say I would much rather see the USA improved by radical Christians (well, I would, wouldn’t I?).
And let’s hope the USA eventually learn “radical” can mean good as well as bad.