Who you should REALLY fear

Let's face the facts. We live in a post 9-11 world.




A world where fear drives people's perceptions of folks they don't understand. Folks they don't ever INTEND to TRY to understand.

The media understands this more than anyone realizes. That's why it sensationalizes viewers on a daily basis, further etching images of religious extremism, violence as a result of such, and the fear that is borne out of it.



It's a vicious cycle that repeats itself over & over again.



But...



As much as this is a problem?? It's not even the half of it...



The things that Muslim Americans (and Muslims around the world) are being subjected to is racism at its worst. Yes, I said it. RACISM. You can't dress it up any other way. Their whole religion is being cast as evil. Their whole ideology in how they live their lives has been hijacked by generalizations & images of gun-toting, garb wearing demons. It's sickening to say the least.


At the forefront of these fear tactics is the idea that Muslims intend to invoke Sharia Law on our society.

Sharia Law: The code of law derived from the Koran & from the teachings/examples of Mohammed in the name of Islam (Muslim faith).

Basically, turn our country into a Muslim state, complete with beheadings, chopped off arms, women completely covered & relegated to second-class citizens of petulance. Yeah, the ignorance goes on & on.


This spewing of ignorance is headed off with the caveat that we, as a society, should "rid ourselves of these people & their ideology of extremism, fear & hatred." That fear is encapsuled in the thought that, upon their religion being accepted in our society, that it will begin a mission of taking over our society, wiping out Christianity in the process & ultimately ending our way of life...so the story goes....


Yet, surprisingly....this is the known. The obvious.



What's NOT being mentioned is the surprising part...



During every single election cycle (especially in recent memory), you have hot button issues that center around religion. And more times than not, you have what's called "the religious right" that leads this charge, of sorts.




(How the Republican party has hijacked religion is another story in & of itself. Especially when the civil rights movement was especially faith-based, but that's another story...)



Every political season, you have LOADS of evengelical conservatives banter on about "hot button issues" as it pertains to our society & the role government should play in "removing" these things from it. If you haven't been sleeping for a generation, then you should already know the particulars:

*Abortion

*Same-sex marriage

*Gays in the military


The religious right, or evangelical conservatives (call them what you want) essentially DOMINATE these topics. They have been on a mission to integrate their religious ideals on these topics into secular living for as long as I can remember. Yet, it seems as if the vitriol behind these topics is at an all-time high...and there's NO middle ground according to these people. Either you're against these things, or you're the devil himself. If you're a Christian?? You vote against these things. No if's, and's or but's about it.


These topics incite some of the most hateful arguments known to man, outside of outright racism...which is ironic because they generally flirt with the same lines of ignorance...AND...the same lines of HYPOCRISY.


Hypocrisy. Such a powerful word, yet an overwhelmingly forgotten one.


I'll just be blunt. That's why I'm here anyhow.


How in the hell can conservatives even begin to point their hypocritical fingers?? I mean...somebody please clear this up for me. You have, what is essentially, a crusade against Islam in this country, borne out of some ignorant "fear" that Muslim Americans & other Muslims around the world have this unified goal of taking over America through Islamic extremism & invoking Sharia Law in the process.

Meanwhile, back in conservative land...


Every time they open their mouths about gays & abortion, it somehow behooves them to point out religion, Christianity especially, and it's role in how these things shouldn't be a part of our society because...of Christianity & how it's against morality.


Hmmm....now THERE'S A WORD....


Morality...


Let's talk about that word morality, shall we??


So, Mr. Conservative... It's morally ok to slander Muslims & their Islam faith?? Pigeonhole them into some extremist category, beset with imagery of gun wielding lunatics, shouting their allegiances to Allah. That's ok, huh??

Yet, at the SAME TIME, use religion to invoke YOUR religious beliefs onto secular society??


Yeah...I smell a rat. A hypocritical one at that.


It's ok to use fear-mongering to convince your religious base to vote your agenda through...

(which won't amount to a hill of beans once they gain power....but you didn't hear that from me...)


Folks, a quick history lesson will provide you the perspective you need. Our great country wasn't founded as a theocracy. The folks that came here, invaded here - whatever your stance is - didn't come here to exercise CHRISTIANITY, nor any other religion. They came here TO ESCAPE THEOCRACY. They LEFT a land that was under religious rule for JUST THOSE REASONS.


Yet, you want to go BACK down that road??


Never in history have we had a Christian theocracy where it wasn't bloody & barbaric...yet, you somehow fear that Muslims will bring barbarism??



Folks, let's be clear here... The crap you're being subjected to is simple. It's hypocrisy. It's hyperboly. It's downright cruel, ignorant & baseless.


Conservatives are attempting to rob you of your common sense by tapping into a very powerful source - your morality through your faith. Up to this point, it has worked. They've managed to hide their political agenda behind a safe haven that, ironically - is YOUR safe haven.


A common theme in the religious world is a very popular moniker: What would Jesus do??


That's a very good question. Good question, Jeff!


The answer is rooted in what Jesus WOULDN'T do. He wouldn't go around inciting violence against another man's culture. He wouldn't put down people to somehow raise His profile in the process. He, ultimately, wouldn't demonize a race of folks to advance His agenda....which is God's agenda. Why?? It speaks for itself. It doesn't need help.


I'll tell you another thing about Jesus. His message to us is FAR BIGGER than one or two hot button issues. He didn't overvalue abortion & homosexuality, while ignoring the rest...like conservatives have done without retort. We have to care (just as vigorously) about poverty, disease, illiteracy & corruption in goverment/church - just to name a few.


(Poverty is an especially tough one for conservatives, but I digress...)


Since YOU - Mr. Conservative - have forgotten about the role of Christianity, whether conveniently or not... I'll try my best to jog your memory & sum it up for you...


The role of Christians isn't seeking "power OVER" others - by controlling governments, passing legislation or fighting wars in lieu of religion. Christians SHOULD INSTEAD seek to have "power UNDER" others - as in winning people's hearts for Christ by sacrificing for those in need....as Jesus did.



These hot button issues you parade in front of all to see, flaunting your apparent moral superiority over the same people you want to vote for you....isn't what Jesus would do. It goes against ALL that He stood for. Your "moral" position isn't one at all.


To bring home the point, I'll reference a quote from a great man...


"When the church wins culture wars (in politics), it inevitably loses. When it (the church) conquers the world, it BECOMES the world. When you put your trust in the sword, you LOSE the CROSS." -Rev. Gregory A. Boyd



In summation, you lose the moral stance when you try to gain the worldly one in lieu of morality. Which is basically what's happening today.



Who should you REALLY fear??


The evidence is clear. YOU decide.

Jeff's Hot Topics: Locally & Nationally

Thanks again for blogging with me. I truly appreciate the droves of support I've received thus far. I do this for YOU guys. The electorate that is unspoken for. That's tired of nonsense & biased rhetoric. Let's get down to business, shall we??



Local Burn - Great Lakes Bay Region (Michigan - MBS area)


Folks, we are a short 4 weeks away from a very important election cycle. From a local ordinance standpoint, we have an important millage on the docket, which calls for the renewal of funding for the Dow Event Center in downtown Saginaw. I can't stress enough how pivotal this piece of legislation is for the vitality of our region & city. PLEASE SUPPORT THE MILLAGE BY VOTING 'YES' ON THIS MILLAGE. This is NOT a new mill; It is a RENEWAL, which is actually LESS than what it was before. A 'yes' vote is crucial. We absolutely cannot afford to lose the Dow. It is too important to our region's ability to draw all sorts of entertainment, business conferences & such to our area, which in turn, feeds our local economy & local businesses, therefore keeping resources IN OUR CITY. Again, a 'yes' vote is a 'yes' for the continued success & rebuilding of our community with the Dow Event Center in tow.

As far as the State electorate is concerned, we have the 95th district to be concerned with, as well as the gubernatorial - race for governor. As per the purpose of my blog, I won't endorse a candidate, nor will I denounce one - unless there are mitigating circumstances. From time to time, I will offer up tidbits of information that will help my readers to make an INFORMED decision, which is my overall aim. PLEASE READ UP ON THE CANDIDATES. The vitality of our region depends on YOUR VOTES. With proper public policy in place?? It sets the stage within the business sector, which will ultimately lead us to prosperity in rebuilding our region to be the best it can be.

In short?? VOTE...VOTE...VOTE!!!!



National Burn - Hot Topic on the national scene


Need any more evidence that big business is NOT your friend, nor a friend of the middle class & America as a whole?? Pay attention...

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce was found to be skirting campaign laws by using foreign money to fund campaign attack ads. How the money is acquired is by way of offices set up (by the Chamber) in other countries. These "offices" are called "AmChams". They're basically donation centers to filter money through. These "donations" to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are then used (anonymously, by the way) to fund campaign ads & miscellaneous functions concerning the elections at hand.

(How is this bad for us, Jeff?)


I'll tell you. Matter of fact?? I'll use an example. Let's say you are General Motors. You have business interests in the U.S., as well as Russia, China, Germany, England, etc. You hear about the latest legislation in Congress. A law that makes it VERY HARD for you to make money in other countries besides the United States. This isn't good for your business, right?? How can I block this legislation or make it harder for it to pass?? Donation, donation, donation!!! Simply drop off a "donation" at your nearest "AmCham" & kindly remind your "AmCham" representative that you'll "donate" more to "the cause" in exchange for that law to somehow NOT pass. Follow me?? Basically, you can pay them off. Major, major problem, right??

If this isn't a prime example of how big business runs our government, then I don't know what is.

People, this is why I'm here. We HAVE to stay abreast of what's happening. Even moreso, we have to let our elected officials know. If you can spend uber amounts of time on Facebook?? You can shoot a quick email to your congressman or state reps to voice your concerns. Please believe - the source I read this info in was kindly copied & pasted in one, and promptly sent to Debbie Stabenow. Attached to it was ONE sentence: DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

This is MY mission, folks. I won't let you down.

More important than this?? YOU can't let you down. Get involved!!!


Our livelihood depends on it...


Peace & love to all.



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