Times Square Bomb vs. Old Myth

Well, we have our Times Square bomb plot suspect. His name is Faisal Shahzad, and what a shock, his motives were inspired by religious extremism.

Once again, we see that the cable news media outlets refuse to talk about anything else, unless perhaps it's a quick look at our ruined gulf coast brought about by the biggest oil spill since the Exxon Valdez. But as I'm watching this news story develop, I can't help but marvel at the stubbornness of religion.

Repeatedly, Islam embarrasses itself by trying to bomb people into respecting it. That is, when it's not threatening to behead women who name teddy bears after the Prophet Muhammed. The so-called religion of peace is proving itself to be the biggest threat to world peace ever known. And yet, I repeatedly hear the claim made, again and again, that God is required for moral behavior.

Seriously?

I mean, how many times do we have to get bombed by the most fervent of believers before we realize that maybe, just maybe, religiocity is a problem, not a solution? How many times must children be sexually abused by priests or have knuckles slapped by nun's rulers before people excercise some common sense and LEAVE?

I can understand not leaving the faith in a nation like Pakistan, where apostates are killed for sport. But what excuse to Catholics have here in the supposed Land of the Free and Home of the Brave? More like land of the self-enslaved and home of the spineless.

I'm not suggesting that religion is always hurtful. But it's surely as hell-on-earth not always helpful! And it is not required for moral behavior. Put another way, when has an atheist ever bombed a building in a public square?

Rep. Pete Hoekstra was quoted recently as saying, "Being lucky can't be our national security strategy." I agree. Surely some of our national defense must therefore go into fighting the religiocity which continues to bomb us. Eliminating the National Day of Prayer is a good first start.

Here's my dream: To see the day when there are scantily clad women advertising sun-tan lotion on Al-Jazeera, and when television shows similar to South Park garner ire from religious leaders for insulting Mohammed -- not in New York, but in Riyadh, or Tehran. And to see freedom so fully expressed that America is finally the coast-to-coast Amsterdam it was meant to be. That world is achievable. But it starts with recognizing religious fervor as our enemy.

Call me crazy, but I really think that the spirit of America is defined by its citizens NOT getting down on their knees!

Eric