Editorial Bear

Via Jenn of the Jungle's blog, I was led to an interesting blog by a man who identifies himself as a 21st century Kashmiri Nomad.

It's interesting because these are the thoughts and opinions of an intelligent, literate Muslim and his take on the modern world. This is an interesting perspective because my opinions are centurist, leaning towards the right and the only other political blog I regularly read are Jenn of the Jungle's unabashedly right wing rants - fighting P.C. B.S.

That's Politically Correct Bull Shit, for the benefit of the uninitiated.

By visiting Kashmiri's blog, I get an entirely unique perspective on things. And I agree with very little of it. Many of the people who comment on his blog make references to fundamentalist propaganda, such as the idea that George Bush and the 'Zionist Illuminati' organised 9/11. Basically, amongst a certain Muslim circle, lies such as those are accepted as fact.

However, Kashmiri is an interesting and intelligent writer and before being led off via lies and half truths, he touches on some valid points.

One such post was entitled Christofascism: Christianity's Little Secret.

In it, he rails against the commonly used (and perfectly valid) term Islamofascism. In retaliation, he suggests that there is an equally valid argument regarding fascist behaviour by Christian groups.

So far so good, because it's true.

That's where Kashmiri loses it, though. Instead of exploring the very real issues raised by Christian Fundementalism, he throws up Hitler as an example of Christofascism. Which is enormously ironic because Hitler was a lapsed Catholic who reinvented religion for his own purposes. According to him, Jesus "recognized the Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them!" Adolf Hitler, speech on April 12, 1922, published in My New Order, quoted in Free thought Today April 1990

Come on, Adolf. We all know Jesus was a Lover, not a Fighter.

Hitler's a terrible and inappropriate example of Christian Fundementalism. It's blatantly apparent that Kashmiri was in a toss up between using facts (which I shall discuss shortly) or hoisting up Hitler hoping that the great dictator's name would cover his lack of research by delivering the immediate revulsion he was aiming for.

Lazy, Kashmiri. Shame on you.

The irony is that Christofascism exists. There is a growing body of Christian Fundamentalism in the heartland of America and their beliefs have earned them the terrifying nickname: American Taliban. You'd think Kashmiri might have actually done some research into them.



The American Taliban are a reactionary movement that believes life and government should be dictated in accordance with the bible, not by the tenants of Freedom and Democracy and the American Constitution.

"Do you realize that the only thing that gives democracy existence is sin? The absence of democracy is perfect obedience to God." Robert T. Lee, Society for the Practical Establishment of the Ten Commandments.

Despite the fact that the founding fathers themselves, the men who gave birth to the United States of America, dictated that there should be a clear division between Church and State - the American Taliban believe this division is their greatest enemy.

"Anybody that believes in separation of church and state needs to leave right now." Star Parker, Coalition on Urban Renewal & Education.

"There should be absolutely no 'Separation of Church and State' in America." David Barton, Wallbuilders.

No pluralism for them. No tolerance. None of that: "All Men are Created Equal" crap. America shouldn't be the wonderful, beautiful cultural melting pot it thankfully is now.

In the terrifying words of former President George Bush (Snr:)

"I don't know that atheists [and I assume non-Christians] should be considered citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."

I find it ironic that the enemy we're facing in the War on Terror shares a common goal with America's religious heartland. The total extermination of all other religion.

"I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over. I want you to let a wave of hatred wash over you. Yes, hate is good...Our goal is a Christian nation. We have a biblical duty, we are called by God to conquer this country. We don't want equal time. We don't want pluralism." Randall Terry (Operation Rescue)

Consider that opinion. Compare those words in comparison to the opinion of Bosnian President Alija Izetbegovic: "There can be no peace or coexistence between Islamic faith and non-Islamic faith and institutions. The Islamic movement must and can take power as soon as it is morally and numerically strong enough, not only to destroy the non-Islamic power, but to build up a new Islamic one." From his book 'Muslim Declaration'

Basically, they share a common goal. The destruction or conversion of everybody who does not follow their religious beliefs.

That's not the only opinion the Islamofascists and the American Taliban share. We in the 'civilized' west often attack Islam for their treatment and opinion of women. The fundamentalists especially treat their womenfolk disgustingly.

British journalist Melanie Phillips, author of Londonistan, points out that "radical Islamists preach death to gays, the subjugation of women and the stoning of adulterers."

Match that to Presidential Candidate Pat Buchanan's thoughts: "Rail as they will about 'discrimination,' women are simply not endowed by nature with the same measures of single-minded ambition and the will to succeed in the fiercely competitive world of Western capitalism." He REALLY ought to meet my wife, mother, sister, sister in law, other sister in law AND mother in law before he spouts off this kind of stuff!

How about Pastor Fred Phelp's views on homosexuality: "Not only is homosexuality a sin, but anyone who supports fags is just as guilty as they are. You are both worthy of death."

Or Californian congressman Bob Dornan: "Don't use the word 'gay' unless it's an acronym for 'Got Aids Yet'"

Thank goodness stoning doesn't happen in America. But Lester Roloff, founder of Texas Homes for Wayward Youth, had this to say about corporal punishment: "Better a pink bottom than a black soul." Ironic, perhaps, that he was jailed twice for child abuse carried out in his Texas Homes.

No, it appears the opinions and laws of Christian Fundamentalism are awfully close to the opinions and laws of Islamic Fundamentalism. Medieval, basically.

That's another horrific trait that both Christian Fundamentalism and Islamic Fundamentalism share. The abhorrance of progress.

In Islamic society, education and science is outlawed unless it matches what's decreed in Sharia law. For the Christian fundamentalists?

"When science and the Bible differ, science has obviously misinterpreted its data." Henry Morris Founder, Institute for Creation Research, died 2006

Fundamentalism, whether it's Christian or Muslim, worships the Cult of Ignorance.

Consider how terrifying that is, when you hear the words of James Watt, Secretary of the Interior during the Reagan administration and responsible for National Policy regarding the Environment: "We don't have to protect the environment. The Second Coming is at hand."

Islamic Fundamentalism rails against free thought and opinion. This is why they dominate the lives of young Muslims, in order to indoctrinate and brainwash them before exposure to the real world shows the horrible and inhuman flaws in the values they have been taught.

Christian Fundamentalism does exactly the same thing. In the recently documentary Jesus Camp, it's possible to see this brainwashing in action, as children as young as five become 'born again' Christians.

Finally, there's the most important link between Islamic Fundamentalism and Christian Fundamentalism. Acts of violence.

I don't need to outline the number of murders committed by fundamentalists in the name of Islam. Every day, in Iraq and Israel, people are murdered by suicide bombers. Less that two years ago, brainwashed British Muslims murdered more than fifty in the London Underground. On the 9th September 2001, 3,000 were murdered by fundamentalists in hijacked planes.

But Christian fundamentalism has spurred terrorism too. On a much smaller scale, admittedly, but bombings of abortion clinics and the murder of abortion workers are regularly committed by 'God's Soldiers.' Almost two thousand attacks have taken place in the last twenty years. At least five people have been killed by men and women who preach "Thous shalt not commit murder."

If Kashmiri Nomad had looked at all of this evidence and presented it, not a soul would have been able to deny that Christofascism exists. However he was too lazy and too blinded by his own narrow agenda.

The evidence I've presented outlines a sinister and dangerous situation. But when a tolerant and democratic society, like modern America, is faced by a heartless and cruel enemy like Islamofascism; is it not logical that an equally dangerous and powerful force rears it's head to combat the threat?

Some people, like Jesus Camp director Heidi Ewing, reported: "The difference [between us and the Islamofascists] is that Evangelicals do not need to strap on guns and bombs."

The question is: For How Long?

The fact is, while Islamofascism continues to rail against the forces of democracy, freedom and sanity, Christian Fundamentalism will gain strength and support. And as long as President George W. Bush relies so heavily on American Evangelicalism to buoy up his flagging support, the American Taliban will continue to grow and flourish.