Saturday, August 17, 2013

Religious Cleansing a Paradigm Shift of Political Correctness

With Egypt spinning out of control the chaos echoes a growing shift of intolerance not only for Egypt but around the world including the United States.  The Middle East in large part is so ingrained in their system of beliefs that they become so blind to other views and ideas.  Extremism breeds fear and hardens the hearts of those seeking power.  This not only becomes unproductive as a human race but it becomes extremely dangerous as pride and separatism grows.

With the recent outbreak of violence in Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt came a movement against Christianity.  Dozens of churches have been burned, looted or destroyed.  Christians have been murdered without remorse and their fate is viewed as nothing more than collateral damage of the greater problem that "somebody else" created. Mimicking the mindset in the United States there is no personal responsibility.  Just a cancerous inward pride that eventually grows to deadly proportions.

On the basic level Christianity upholds personal responsibility and traditional values that have made this country strong in the past.  I'm talking about the United States in years past but not so much in recent history.  It's not just Christianity but for this post of religious cleansing taking place around the world we'll keep this pace.  The foundation of Christianity holds true that you are responsible for your own actions as well as your productive pursuit of happiness.  These precepts have held the fabric of society together for many years.  Without them this country would not have survived past the Civil War if even to then.  However, in reflection on our own actions and thoughts does our society emulate or desecrate these values?

I believe that the demographics of the United States have helped cause a paradigm shift in the attitude of Christianity and by extension personal responsibility as well.  With our borders as porous as can be we've invited the inevitable ends to this country.  Without requirements and expectations for citizenship a nation will eventually fall into a welfare state.  That is where we are today.  The economic balance has greatly added on the side of the needy.  With unchecked borders we've inherited millions of men and women not industrious enough to strive toward increasing their wealth in order to provide jobs and services as well as contribute to the nation by adding to the tax base.  With welfare comes irresponsible behavior.  The inherent discipline to handle financial means in a proper manner wanes and perpetuates the dependency.  Without this discipline what shifting mindset ensues in the people?  This cannot be refuted as it is seen everyday from the small towns to the large metropolitan areas.  When people receive their allotments the tendency is to succor the wants instead of the needs.

Eventually a backlash against those who exhibit traditional values and personal responsibility erupts.  Usually this is propagated by officials in governing bodies who continue to seek power through demographics.  Yet, it is carried out by the people who've already joined the throng of "disadvantaged consideration."  Public assistance is good and a compassionate sign of any people.  However, assistance is meant to "assist" in bringing the person or family into a state of independence.  It should never be designed to trap a family into a system without hope of independence.  This backlash is really not an aim at the affluent or even those openly striving to better themselves.  Instead it is actually a reaction to how the self has not done all he/she can do to better themselves.  The great travesty is that this last statement will never be admitted to.

I don't believe this is the case with Egypt.  These are thoughts on the United States and our shifting values.  Yet, like Egypt, a shift against Christian values is taking place.  The violence has manifested from the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi who was just democratically elected to the position just several weeks earlier.  Now, in the wake of this event we have Morsi supporters protesting and clashing with anti-Morsi factions.  As usual in the Middle East and North Africa regions these disputes always erupt into religious realms.  Unfortunately, Christianity is and has been the target of destruction by those not truly interested in peaceful prosperity.

This post is not designed to slam, demean or single out any particular religion.  We all have claim on the right to worship as we see fit.  We should, however, take issue when religious edicts are used to undermine and murder other people.  We should take issue when people act out the religious cleansing of entire peoples all in the name of their god.

The destructive events in Egypt particularly against Christians is disturbing indeed.  Yet, is it possible that this may be the seen coming to a street near you?  Take caution and never say never.  The divide in the United States continues to grow.  As the economic divide grows so does intolerance and suspicion of other faith systems.

Let us not look upon Egypt as the future of America but rather a warning and a gift to us to correct our political and social course.

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