We have just witnessed the worst terrorist attack on United States soil since 9/11, and the worst mass shooting in the nation’s history. How many more people need to die before we name and face the reality of Islamic jihad?
While it may be easi
er to avoid the issue all together, and to name ‘gun laws’, ‘mental disturbance’ or something else as the underlying cause – we know full well that we are being violently attacked by a community of ideologues who seek nothing less than the complete submission, and failing that, the death of all who oppose them.
Worryingly, like a battered wife our leaders and media continue to excuse these attacks. “He’s not really like that….” “Islam is really a religion of peace….” “It was a once off….” “A lone wolf…” “Most Muslims are good people…” “I know underneath it all he loves me…”
Like the battered wife, we must not excuse or placate violence, and avoid the option of self blame.
To push the analogy further, like a battered wife who chooses to improve her situation, we must confront the very real pain of recognising and naming the abusive relationship which we find ourselves in, and to say, “This cannot continue.”
We are not powerless here – unless we choose to be.
Photo by raimonribera 