Interesting thoughts from Richard Fernandez:

The Jihadi movement is the proper heir of Marxism-Leninism. A very large part of its appeal consists in that it offers the poor a vision of earthly justice against the corrupt and wordly rulers of their nations -- corrupt men, who very often were yesterday's Marxist firebrands. Thus the almost saintly appeal of "learned" and rich men like Zawahiri and Bin Laden who represent denial, commitment and a complete surrender to the faith.

But I am not one to step back and long admire an advancing executioner. Bin Laden, whatever he may be, is determined to kill me, my family and friends. He aims to extinguish my culture; bury my beliefs; enslave my survivors. This he will not do so long as I can help it. And it's this basic, elemental resistance that really stands in the way of the Jihad as it once barred the Commissars. Not armies nor clever diplomats. It is sanity that ultimately defies the seductive whisperings of power. In Tolkien's story it is not the Wise or the Great Captains but the simpleton that collapses the dark tower. He preferred his garden to cold and adamantine stone.

Also notice this phrase from the article:

Eventually I take advantage of a lull in the fighting to slip out the back of the complex to the street. Adeem leaves me at the gate. Eyes still blazing, she bids me farewell. "Tell them how angry we are," she says. "Write in your story how willing we are to die for our cause."

Are you and I willing to die for our cause?  Not only 'America', 'freedom', or 'democracy', important as those may be.   Are you and I willing to die for being a follower of Jesus Christ?   Our willingness comes not from anger as Adeem's does, but from hope.

What to do when you really really want to get two groups of people to have some fun and fellowship together (because supposedly "all religions are essentially the same"), but somehow it just keeps falling apart?

Another fascinating news item from the grinding edge of the clash between Islam and Postmodern/Western/Liberal/Pseudoreligious Secularism.

The game was supposed to conclude the "Shoulder to Shoulder" multi-religous conference.

"Granny was right" - Here's a scandalously old-fashioned (and rather amusing) secular perspective on marriage.

And on the same topic, here is a fascinating Muslim perspective, from none other than Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad: "You will know that among the detainees there is one lady who is a mother of a child. Why is it that the most difficult work like patrolling at sea should be given to a woman? Why is there no respect for motherhood? Why does the West not value its women?"

Meanwhile the Bible still affirms the awesome and unique role of women and mothers... to those who will listen...

"...born of a gorilla, not of a virgin."

Hmmm.

It is a "Bible for skeptics, seekers, and people of different faiths."

Lots of faiths, perhaps.  But not Christianity.

It's interesting that a book self-claiming to be postmodern and inclusive should so stridently insist that Christians and Jews have "got the story wrong" on origins (and on Jesus).

Also, "The first volume in the series – which will eventually present the Torah, Bhagavad Gita, Buddhist sutras, and Sufi mysticism – covers the Gospel of Mark."

Notice one particular "holy book" that's missing from the revisionist/parody-series?   I wonder why...

This is an extremely fascinating situation.  One group believes strongly that it is wrong to tell other people that they're believing false religious truths.  The other group believes that it is wrong to provide cab service to homosexuals, people carrying liquor, or blind people with guide dogs.   The clash is inevitable.  (And btw it has happened before, and it will happen again and again with increasing frequency until one side wins globally...  any guesses as to which will win?)

Notice that the airport is NOT a government entity (rather a private corporation) and is therefore NOT required to provide "freedom of religion" or anything else.  If you don't like their policies, theoretically you can go work or fly somewhere else.

As Johnson so clearly puts it: "In other words, we have to let them be intolerant, or we’re intolerant."

For a very sobering, hard-hitting (you have been warned), and insightful look at the "lower class" and increasingly "criminal" parts of the innercities of France, read Theodore Dalrymple's essay The Barbarians at the Gates of Paris.   Note that his essay was written in 2002, long before last year's (and this year's) riots and burnings of thousands of cars.

It makes one weep, to see the utter hopelessness of the vicious downward spiral.  "Who is adequate" to help?  Only the return of the Prince of Peace can "clean up this mess".

Furthermore, to my knowledge this anarchy-disease is not confined to France (though it may be currently more advanced there than elsewhere).   It is the modern innercity, where the confluence of many harmful forces (godless schools, broken families, poverty, crime, Islam/Islamism, and more) is dragging down an entire generation.

How shall we then live?   If we are honest, and if we are ready to lose our lives so that we may find them, perhaps we will... engage.

This is honestly very scary.  But don't ignore God's call.   Don't consider yourself "too important" to sacrifice yourself.  I also will try to do likewise.

This essay claims that Americans must choose between freedom at the cost of war, or "Geneva"-pacifism resulting in anarchy.  There is allegedly no middle way.

I've thought about these issues a lot, and followed the news closely and looked at historical analogues from previous centuries, and my conclusion is that the author is right.  America's postmodern liberal crowd (which is the majority I think, and certainly a majority of the elite) is on a collision course with radical Islamist fundamentalists (notice that there is a difference between "Islamist" and "Islamic").   It will prove impossible (yet again... recall Neville Chamberlain) to achieve stable peace and freedom without war.  The choice is: "peace, safety, and dhimmitude," or "freedom at any cost"/"Give me liberty or give me death".   But sadly, America no longer has the moral and spiritual drive to seek that liberty which once their founding fathers sought.   America is now weak.  America wants peace, freedom, and liberty, without having to pay the price for these precious statuses.   As Ben Franklin wrote, "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."

The collision is coming, and the first few shocks are beginning to be felt.  The homosexuals and the islamist fundamentalists will soon clash.  (here's an interesting question - who will win?  perhaps the cartoon row was a hint...)  But by the grace of the true God, the Christians will be there right in their midst, overflowing with love, making peace wherever possible, and telling everyone who is willing to listen that the only hope for mankind (corporately and personally) is Jesus Christ.

I don't know where the world will be politically one hundred years from now.  But in a sense, to us Christians, it doesn't matter.  All that matters is blooming where we are planted... serving our King in our commissioned ambassadorial role...   because this world will be passing away shortly, and it is completely ephemeral compared to eternity.   I'm not saying that our actions don't matter... they do!  but the world itself is only temporary... it's only a stage, and we are the actors.

Meanwhile this annotated speech (from a UN official!!) explores the beatific role that the United Nations has played over the past few decades, and patiently informs us that the only thing holding back the UN from bringing full-fledged peace to the entire world is......  the lack of US funding.     The speech is actual... the commentary sarcasm is exquisite...   highly recommended reading.  

Finally, the discussion about the Resurrection is still continuing... though it may be winding down in the next few weeks...  feel free to add your thoughts if you have some time!   Thanks to all who have participated... (especially Spoonwood).