69 million page views

Off the edge of the cliff

Reader comment on item: Siege in Sydney
in response to reader comment: 'moderates' regressing

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Jan 20, 2015 at 07:51

????. Surely it's not that hard?

Nope, I don't get it. I'm that dense. Oh well.

A digression to some philosophy: to me heaven on earth is be really here, really now.

I've said many times, that if heaven were no better than the life I now live, I wouldn't complain. Nevertheless, I have had moments in my life that seemed like eternities -- eternities I would do anything to avoid.

We don't know what's after we take our last breath - but we do know we are alive now. Unfortunately for many people, it seems that fact is lost on them. They are unable to appreciate their own being, let alone value anyone else's. So it's all about waking up to one's self.

That's a fine philosophy, until the moment of one's last breath actually arrives. It's like walking up to the edge of a cliff: One can boldly walk straight toward it; but then one stops. When we die, it's like continuing to walk straight ahead -- not by choice, of course, but by compulsion.

By faith, we know that we actually do go on walking. I had a close friend, who died suddenly while riding a bicycle to work. The police found him along the path, hands still clenched to the handlebars. He was a believer, as was his wife; as are my wife and I; and we've had whimsical thoughts about what our friend saw when he suddenly broke through to the other side. Was he suddenly holding the reins of a heavenly chariot? I know how I would like to die: I'd like my wife and I to be going for an explore through a forest, and discover a new path... then find that we're walking in a place filled with people we used to know but who've passed on. Perhaps God will give us our wish.

It is true, that we can't see the Kingdom of Heaven with our earthly eyes. God knows (literally), many folks keep trying to do that, and it's a waste of time and money. Some of those fools are our leading scientists. God can only be seen through faith.

One game that is really important, between a parent and a small child, is the game of "peek-a-boo", where the parent seems to disappear, but then reappears to assure the child that they will surely return after leaving the child alone. The first few times I've played this with my children, I've watched their eyes bug open as they get ready to cry out of distress. Then they would break into a giggle. Without games like that, which give a child assurance that they are protected even when they can't see their protector, a child would grow up fearful, and full of grasping and attention-getting phobias. You probably realize, that the world is full of such people.

Do you get the drift? This is a whole lot easier to understand, than that name riddle of yours. There's nothing physical, that separates a believer from a non-believer; but if you watch carefully, you should see some behavioral differences. I don't know if I'm a terribly good example. I have asthma, and have had panic attacks: When I've come to what seemed like my last breath, I did not act with calm dignity; I gasped desperately for breath. There was a time, though, when I was walking through a field and a young bull came charging at me. I was too far from the fence to get away, and I knew I couldn't outrun him; so I threw my hands up in the air and praised God. The bull then proceeded to veer around me at the last minute. Was he being playful? Or did God steer him? All I know, is that I am here; and I fear God more than all the bull people can throw at me (pun intended).

The islamic world, like the 'religion' it's based on, is inherently unstable

It's a religion (as in, "It's a living"). It reminds me a little of those snake-handling Pentecostals in the Appalachians, who play with poisonous snakes during their worship service. Maybe going off on a suicide attack is their version of playing with snakes. It's a dare. Do they honestly expect a smiling Allah to receive them in glory? That doesn't make much sense: They're setting off to kill people whose only sin is sincerely following the wrong school of Islam. What makes them so sure that Allah won't be waiting for them with a stick of eternal dynamite, to blow them into eternal torment? They dealt violently and judgmentally to others. Why should Allah behave any differently?

You probably know that I subscribe to the teachings of the New Testament, whatever one wishes to call them. When we get to that last breath, to the edge of the cliff that leads to eternity, various people have different notions about what they must do in order for God to see them across. When I was growing up as a Catholic, I was taught to trust in the sacraments: the act of contrition for venial sins, and absolution from a priest to take care of the nastier ones. I used to scour my prayer book, for "indulgences" that would give me time off from purgatory, especially the "plenary indulgences" that would wipe out all the "hot" time and issue me straight into heaven. I was continually in conversation with my Maker on these matters, sometimes rather strained converstions. I didn't like the Catholic arrangement, and set about seeking something more certain.

Then I picked up my Bible, and read where Jesus said,

Luke 6:
[37] Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

That is a legal contract from God, which Jesus passed on to as many as are willing to receive it. You don't believe in God, you say? Then you don't get the contract; you're left to your own devices.

That's how I see the matter. Trusting in these sayings comes naturally out of a worldview that sees, at the same time, a just God and a loving God in charge of the Universe. Muslims have a god who repeatedly refers to himself as "Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful"; but that god commands them to be anything but compassionate and merciful; and he seems to be saying that it is the least compassionate and most judgmental have the greatest assurance of salvation. That sort of thing certainly doesn't reassure me; it isn't like my father playing "peek-a-boo" with me.

"Most of the time bothering to get on with them and engage in 'meaningful' dialogue seems like a lost cause - they pretend to listen but have their agenda worked out beforehand. So Al Sissi's exhortation for muslims to change was unexpected and refreshing. Apart from that pleasant surprise even the most 'moderate' islamic coutries - such as Turkey for example, are consistently regressing into islamism and at a faster rate as time goes on. Maybe the 21st century is too confusing for an already bewildered population - and they cling onto their 1400 year old security blanket, as tatterred and motheaten as it may be..."

I think they certainly are feeling the squeeze. It's interesting, that Muslims believe they have to take over the world, for peace to reign. Both Jews and Christians are taught, on the other hand, that they are "pilgrims and strangers" in this world, descendants of the God-fearing pilgrim, Abraham -- who spent his whole life obeing God in pursuit of a promise that he never saw fulfilled. We are taught how to live in an imperfect world, generating our own peace in our lives. It's a fundamental difference between the two streams of faith, that is revealing itself in these increasingly troubled times.

It is extremely hard to predict which way allegiances will go as there are so many factors involved. tribal and religious and transnational alliances, politics and money all conspire to produce a powder keg that will take a small spark to set it off. The only thing we can be sure of as the world lurches from one disaster to the next is that the small spark will involve at least one muslim.

Perhaps. I've known some pretty "sparky" people who aren't Muslims. I've sparked myself at times, to my regret.

Shalom shalom :-)

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (92) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Dr. Pipes, what do you think of this as an approach to dealing with ISIS? [407 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Charles MartelJan 22, 2015 22:37220614
Eternally hen-pecked Jihadis [332 words]Michael SJan 24, 2015 05:26220614
Sorry, but... [38 words]AlanaFeb 22, 2015 16:09220614
Not the most effective way [107 words]EdmondMar 9, 2015 19:35220614
NO need... [95 words]JIMJFOXMar 10, 2015 03:14220614
1Terrorism Tax idea [83 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Charles MartelJan 9, 2015 11:47220195
3An add on -Mental Issue- [55 words]Michael Hanni MorcosDec 30, 2014 16:24220025
3From Sydney_Comment [134 words]Peter CunninghamDec 30, 2014 15:51220024
2Kudos to Ben Shapiro for exposing the hoax of the hashtag #ILLRIDEWITHYOU [90 words]dhimmi no moreDec 25, 2014 15:06219949
A sad event, but tragically very common [84 words]Michael SDec 19, 2014 20:30219858
2the list grows [342 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 20, 2014 01:17219858
We're all on walkabout [385 words]Michael SDec 26, 2014 08:57219858
past times [549 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 28, 2014 05:49219858
Arab leaders all have two faces. [817 words]Michael SDec 30, 2014 14:25219858
alliances [412 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 3, 2015 03:52219858
Fairweather friends, and fleeting realities. Also, the 12 state solution [310 words]Michael SJan 7, 2015 04:19219858
Islam was built on shed blood [466 words]Michael SJan 13, 2015 13:34219858
'moderates' regressing [396 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 15, 2015 04:04219858
islam and why we're here [390 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 15, 2015 04:23219858
Off the edge of the cliff [1449 words]Michael SJan 20, 2015 07:51219858
Leaping quanta, and other matters [737 words]Michael SJan 21, 2015 23:58219858
simple truths [280 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 23, 2015 21:52219858
cultural differences [519 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 23, 2015 23:08219858
Watching for cues [1059 words]Michael SJan 27, 2015 06:13219858
Life, Jim, but not as we know it [1370 words]Michael SJan 27, 2015 08:51219858
3Allah's identity -- probably Nimrod [615 words]Michael SJan 27, 2015 19:15219858
1great and wonderful things [599 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 2, 2015 00:31219858
OK, 50 years overly generous [414 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 2, 2015 00:55219858
the roots of their displeasure [202 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 2, 2015 03:14219858
Katoomba? Lithgow? Guadalcanal? [726 words]Michael SFeb 3, 2015 23:52219858
All in you mind... and mine... but not, it seems, in Man Monis [627 words]Michael SFeb 4, 2015 00:49219858
The Muslim mind: Spooky at a Distance? [637 words]Michael SFeb 4, 2015 08:24219858
being prepared [434 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 5, 2015 03:12219858
grades of illusion [1202 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 5, 2015 04:24219858
Different ways to die. [51 words]Michael SFeb 9, 2015 03:46219858
Some thoughts [1099 words]Michael SFeb 9, 2015 06:35219858
being in a straitjacket doesn't earn you merit. [922 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 10, 2015 00:52219858
moment to moment [351 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 12, 2015 01:00219858
Goldilocks, the Moebus War and flush toilets [459 words]Michael SFeb 12, 2015 06:02219858
The terrorist mind [729 words]Michael SFeb 13, 2015 14:31219858
Turkey always backs both sides until it sees a clear winner. [221 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 16, 2015 21:45219858
Nah -- uninteresting [83 words]Michael SFeb 17, 2015 17:12219858
Van Diemen's land [44 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 19, 2015 03:28219858
flat earth [46 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 20, 2015 21:29219858
The safest place in the world [96 words]Michael SFeb 22, 2015 23:47219858
Fitting the bill(s) [812 words]Michael SFeb 23, 2015 08:01219858
limits to infinity [169 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 25, 2015 22:01219858
Trouble connecting to pro-Israel websites. [134 words]Michael SFeb 26, 2015 18:18219858
bandwidth problem? [315 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 28, 2015 22:56219858
O tempora, o mores! [522 words]Michael SMar 5, 2015 18:11219858
I don't know [331 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahMar 9, 2015 00:33219858
1Thank You [82 words]A Seasoned HunterDec 14, 2020 04:44219858
1additional info [499 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 19, 2014 07:15219854
You were right [45 words]Michael SJan 24, 2015 04:25219854
2Screening of all immigrants for mental health problems is the answer [120 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
dhimmi no moreDec 17, 2014 06:58219819
2about Illridewithyou [273 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 19, 2014 00:51219819
4Nope, you are wrong. [227 words]Peter HallDec 19, 2014 20:47219819
1The case for screening for mental health problems [290 words]dhimmi no moreDec 20, 2014 10:17219819
1Real history v. wishful thinking [188 words]dhimmi no moreDec 20, 2014 10:45219819
To Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullah [111 words]Kepha HorDec 21, 2014 21:01219819
sentences to translate [152 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 24, 2014 00:08219819
con job [346 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 24, 2014 00:27219819
4The Arabic words فرج and زبيبته and Muhammad and al-Hussain [523 words]dhimmi no moreDec 25, 2014 08:21219819
1One more victim of the Sydney atrocity! Free speech on twitter! [257 words]dhimmi no moreDec 25, 2014 12:47219819
1Jihad Joe [389 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahDec 28, 2014 06:10219819
1The truth never goes away [96 words]dhimmi no moreDec 30, 2014 09:39219819
thanks [28 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 1, 2015 20:38219819
more questions [63 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 3, 2015 00:36219819
He who laughs last [316 words]dhimmi no moreJan 7, 2015 16:41219819
1Mental Health Screening [211 words]donJan 9, 2015 02:16219819
1usefulness of hadith [231 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 11, 2015 21:01219819
1Arabs atheists and twitter [70 words]dhimmi no moreJan 13, 2015 17:44219819
polygraph [38 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 15, 2015 04:25219819
Immigration and mental health disease [108 words]dhimmi no moreJan 15, 2015 07:17219819
3Murder those that insult Allah Muhammad and it is in the Qur'an and the rantings of Ibn Taymiyya [525 words]dhimmi no moreJan 17, 2015 09:21219819
blatant lies [166 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahJan 22, 2015 19:59219819
English translation of Q9:66 [500 words]Michael SJan 28, 2015 06:11219819
3we are all Ra'if Badawi [168 words]dhimmi no moreJan 28, 2015 13:35219819
Arabic texts and translations [97 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 1, 2015 09:02219819
1Muhammed the Pedophile? Yes and no. [468 words]Michael SFeb 1, 2015 20:07219819
past insight [508 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 1, 2015 23:23219819
2no excuse [65 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 3, 2015 20:41219819
Thanks again [221 words]Michael SFeb 3, 2015 23:03219819
Atheists in Saudi Arabia! [70 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 4, 2015 08:10219819
The Islamic literary sources [536 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 4, 2015 08:37219819
We have many Muhammeds among us, and they are not pedophiles [374 words]Michael SFeb 5, 2015 10:57219819
Pres Adams knew his stuff. Too bad we can't re-elect him [17 words]Michael SFeb 5, 2015 18:21219819
no comparison [299 words]Mohammed Waza Khiddif Id'ullahFeb 7, 2015 23:09219819
1It is not meant to be a poem! It is a Sura Like It [273 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 8, 2015 16:47219819
Islam for Arabs only? I never heard that before. [27 words]Michael SFeb 10, 2015 10:38219819
1The Qur'an says that Islam is the religion of the Arabs only [288 words]dhimmi no moreFeb 11, 2015 07:58219819
You're right [18 words]Michael SFeb 15, 2015 11:33219819

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)