Scary Stuff, to Me

I was listening to the radio this morning on the way to work, and a news report came on that was talking about what is going on in Iraq culturally. There is this new religious police force they have, to “protect” their religion. I am all for religion if that is what someone wants, but…

They have been killing shepherds who do not put diapers on goats, because the sight of a naked goat butt apparently tempts men. They have also been killing grocers who arrange their fruits and vegetables “seductively.” These people have to be horribly sexually repressed to actually think a goat needs an outfit to render her safe from men. These religious police certainly have a low opinion of Muslim men. No wonder martyrdom seems like a good option for some, sigh.

Perhaps THIS is the nightmare the 9 of Swords card I drew refers to. With the way the world is going, I am often filled with dread that some sort of Handmaid’s Tale scenario will happen and we will be taken over, not by fundamentalist Christians (who sound comparatively benign at this point) but by these fringe elements of Islam, who seem to feel they have the right to judge everybody else. And be executioners.

I just don’t get it, or maybe I really do. The liberal and moderate Muslims don’t seem to be able to say anything or do anything about this stuff. Just sit there and watch, or hide, or stick a burka on and try to blend. I guess they have their own issues with being afraid to rock the boat as folks like me do here in the US, not wanting to attract attention to ourselves as our own society skids quickly toward totalitarianism.

These days it is getting harder and harder to maintain an open mind, to genuinely WANT all people to worship whatever they want (even if I personally think it is all a bunch of hooey), and for societies to keep their traditions. Some of this stuff is NOT treasured old traditions, but as far as I can tell consists of thinly disguised ways of exerting power over others and keeping the money and influence in the hands of a very small group, who are exempt from all these weirdo rules and regulations. I would not be surprised to find the small group consisting of Americans, Europeans, Middle Eastern people, Indians, Chinese and all the other “new” and old powers. These would be mega-rich and powerful folks who have no loyalty to geographic entities, but are pragmatically loyal to each other and their shared possession of the power, money and influence over the world.

I am a conspiracy theorist. Funny. Not funny?

Comments

Anonymous said...
{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}So very scary.... kinda puts other issues in perspective! Will spend time hugging the kids when I get home from work and they will think I am going crazy! Miss you! Bev
Monday, August 07, 2006 12:49:00 PM

Deb said...
Very Scary!!!Makes you wonder what the world is coming too and what our children have to look forward too as adults.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006 9:24:00 PM