God is the Problem

The key is to act toward each other in friendship as individuals, not as superiors.

Faiths of the world

(PASO ROBLES, Calif.) - I am overwhelmed by what is being channeled in my direction re: Zionism and the methods it uses to direct collateral force against Islam which uses its own methods to impress its followers with their religion. To this can be added the comment that: "Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church is the only hope against Zionism."

So, in the space of one sentence, all three Religions of the Book are pitted one against the others.

Israel seems determined not only to survive but to overcome attempts to defeat it by any and all means at its disposal so as not to suffer another Holocaust.

Israel’s primary enemy is Islam because people of that faith surround them. Evangelists in the United States [the Republican Holy See] appears to play a complicit part when it willingly encourages its disciples to defeat Islam at any cost, because Islam is the last of the three religions; the one meant to prevent the power of Roman Catholicism from becoming dominant.

Rome, after the Goths converted to Christianity, first tried to establish itself as the primary power of Christianity by subordinating The Second Rome [the Orthodox Church] in Constantinople to its will at about the same time as Islam was taking off. If we can believe what is said, Rome hoped to use Islam as a device against Constantinople in its favor, but failed.

If Zionists, the Roman Catholic Church, and now the Republican Holy See are overzealous is attempting to achieve their respective goals, shame on them, but obviously it is nothing new.

It is no secret that I was against the Iraq War, and am adamantly opposed to the one in Afghanistan. While admitting that some good can come from the exposure of cultures involved, my greatest fear is that the killings of Iraqis by Iraqis will be used as an excuse to keep American troops there rather than withdraw them sooner than later, which applies to Afghanistan too. Each is composed of sects vying for dominance via cultural extremes.

There is little difference between what happens in Iraq and Afghanistan and America where people of varying degrees of faith contest among themselves for dominance, as is the case with the Republican Party of God whose Evangelical See, operating in the background nevertheless calls the shots, many of which are downright mean.

The best defense against evil is understanding based on logic, and in the United States that means concentrating on domestic issues and being a friend of all nations. Only through peace will the pace of recovery in the United States, and progress, be enhanced.

America is the melting pot of cultures, and those who choose to live amongst us must realize that to be an American requires a degree of conformity in dress and conduct which is not offensive to others. It is inappropriate for Americans to flaunt the symbols of their beliefs in public beyond the bounds of their right to worship as they please within the confines of their church, as does everyone else. Freedom of religion is a right, but there should be no exception to public rules that smack of attempts to particularize.

As with so many things, justice begins at home, as does charity. I see no reason why Geo. W. Bush's Axis of Evil should be given currency against any other nation if they are treated with the respect they desire and truly deserve. The best way to avoid conflict is by treating others as we would have them treat us. It is the one thing each Religion of the Book can agree on, but are reluctant to practice.

The Tea Party Movement is an example of carrying ideals to an extreme because its members have been encouraged to act offensively by the Republican leadership which, having inspired their followers, now blame them for going too far. One wonders!

The Taliban in Afghanistan might be considered in a similar light and look where it has gotten their nation. And if the Jewish population has a chip on its shoulder, cannot it be blamed on a heady leadership that because of it military successes is pushing its envelope?

The true problem is the leadership which, if the people cannot convince it to think reasonably, must logically think for themselves if they are sincere in wanting to break the chain that binds them to a lifestyle less than what they deserve.

Israel and the Palestinians could settle their differences if it weren’t for the influence of outside factors. If Palestinians would cooperate with Israel, and vice versa, without the intervention of outside interests, each would be the beneficiary.

America could be restored to a place of prominence in the world if it could overcome its political desire for prominence and lead by example which would put an end to the international game of monopoly and internecine controversy.

I am convinced that Iran and North Korea could be persuaded by diplomacy to join the world community in a spirit of mutual well being without the need of playing nuclear games by allowing them to prove they are worthy than become a target for elimination.

The key is to act toward each other in friendship as individuals, not as superiors.

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Kenneth G. Ramey was a "writer without a Website" who is generating excellent, provocative articles on the subject of religion and world affairs. We are pleased that Ken's "lone wolf" presence as a writer in the world has been replaced by a spot on our team of writers at Salem-News.com. Raised in Minnesota and California during the dark years of the Great American Depression, Ken is well suited to talk about the powerful forces in the world that give all of us hope and tragedy and everything in between. You can write to Ken at: darken1@sbcglobal.net