What will it take to stop modern day religious persecution? Will we wait until it is 21 Americans killed while filmed video?

2015-02-15T16:29:35-05:00

A video released on Sunday by militants in Libya claiming loyalty to the Islamic State terror group purports to show the mass beheading of Coptic Christian hostages.

Are American's waking up to the threat to our security and our way of life?

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/15/video-purports-to-show-isis-militants-beheading-christian-hostages/

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Feb 15 at 2015 4:46 PM

2015-02-15T16:46:52-05:00

Not going to happen anytime soon. Religion is the opiate of the masses. This was spoken regarding the downtrodden and the disadvantaged. When people are down on their luck, they call to God and are willing to follow anyone that claims they represent his will. We see this in Al Quaeda, ISIS, the KKK, Westboro Baptist, Jonestown, Waco, etc...
Austerity breeds fear and panic. There is a rise in evangelicals and fundamentalists around the world and we continue to see crazy from all walks of life and creeds. The prepper community in the US is hardly of a single denomination.
What is the actual threat to the American Way of Life? Is the root of the problem religion or ideology? or is it a growing lack of surety in our own place in the world?
40 years ago an American knew he could work for a single company for 30 years and leave with his pension intact and be able to provide for his family. Now we have a problem with turnover rate as corporations have traded in loyalty to those who built their company for a disposable workforce. Pensions are disappearing, infrastructure is falling apart. I could go on about the woes of the American economy that casts doubt on our future as a nation. We are told to look to God for the answers, He will be there in our time of need...
How long before an inspired anarchist looks at the altar of the Golden calf and decides it is time for it's priests to pay? Religious extremism is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 5:14 PM

2015-02-15T17:14:28-05:00

CW5 Jim Steddum,

I think that until there is a coordinated attack on American soil on a large scale, people will not care. The general public is war weary, tired of watching it on CNN, tired of hearing about it through the Gold Star Families...simply tired. Is it right? Not at all.

I think that there are so many parallels that could be drawn from the 1930s Interwar Period. Economic struggles, a fresh memory of the cost of fighting a brutal war, and the ever-present struggle to balance the realities that evil is present (and growing) between the school of thought that "it's not my fight".

I think that had ISIS overrun the Marines, you'd see a much larger "small scale" force of boots on ground with the ability to reach out and touch the enemy, but I don't think that the American public understands or cares about the full potential of the ISIS threat. (Hell, most Americans are more concerned about the latest reality shows and who is dating who in the celebrity world than they are with world events......just to draw a parallel.....it's a modern day Gladiatorial Arena that you don't have to leave your home for!!)
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Feb 15 at 2015 5:29 PM

2015-02-15T17:29:20-05:00

Found on facebook:

An ISIS commander is leading his thugs through the desert when they come upon a large sand dune.

On the other side, a voice calls out, " 1 US Soldier is better than 100 caliphate weenies." So he sends over his men and a battle takes place.

Silence, then a voice again says "1 US Soldier is better than 500 ISIS cowards." So the commander sends 500 men over the dune. Again, a fierce battle takes place, then silence.

Again, a voice comes over and says " 1 US Soldier is better than 1000 ISIS dipshits." A major battle for over an hour takes place. Then silence.

From atop the dune, an ISIS fighter crawls up, all bloodied and badly wounded and says "Sir, don't send any more men, it's a trap...there are 2 US Soldiers."

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Feb 15 at 2015 6:45 PM

2015-02-15T18:45:01-05:00

I don't believe that we have to discuss this from a religious point of view. Indeed, I'm beginning to think that the rise of Islamic extremism is more coincidental than causal.

Have you ever looked at photos taken in other lands? I have. I used to peruse National Geographic Magazines regularly until the Internet and the World Wide Web (yes, they really are two different things) evolved and I could tour the world in excruciating detail.

What has always struck me is the frequency with which I discover pictures of children of all ages wearing baseball caps, tshirts with American-oriented logos and slogans, and sneakers/athletic shoes. In videos I hear American music and see them rapping and dancing like Americans. You've seen it too, haven't you?

Imagine how these scenes play out with their parents, especially those who are culturally or religiously fundamental. Have you ever stopped to wonder if these parents thought that America was stealing their children?

Their beliefs and values are just as important to them as ours are to us. Those of us who are parents are dismayed when our children reject our values and beliefs. Frankly, as indoctrination has replaced education in our schools and universities, I have become very upset. Teachers told my children and are now telling my grandchildren that the things I feel are important are wrong. I expect my children to rebel and challenge me. I don't expect that their teachers will be assisting them. But they are.

Thus, I can relate to the anger that Muslims may feel when they see their children replacing their culture with an American culture. I feel the same way when my children begin to talk and act like progressive members of the Left.

Now, I'm not going to get into the argument between the relative merits of their beliefs and culture and mine. I don't have to go there to make my point.

Simply understand that their is a war going on for the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Maybe we didn't intend it. Maybe their children were simply attracted to ours without our propagandizing it. We simply live it and it looks appealing. Maybe they should reevaluate theirs and fix their culture rather than trying to destroy ours.

Maybe, we need to do the same...

Response by MSgt Michelle Mondia made Feb 16 at 2015 11:02 AM

2015-02-16T11:02:49-05:00

"As long as there has been a god there has been killing in his name". The more difficult the times get the greater the need for violence and sacrifice. Which is why we need to keep from labeling these extremists. They call themselves Islamic just like David Koresh and Charles Manson called themselves Jesus Christ. We're forgetting what this is really about...$$$

Response by SSgt Randy Saulsberry made Mar 20 at 2015 6:03 PM

2015-03-20T18:03:09-04:00

Religious persecution will never stop because each religion thinks their God is the almighty that created everything and the other gods are false.

And as a side note, persecution doesn't mean just killing