General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Couple Stoned in Mali [View all]hifiguy
(33,688 posts)how it has played out. You cannot argue or reason with insane people. One either stands up to them or is overrun by them. On a few occasions invading barbarians such as the Vikings or the Golden Horde of Chinghiz Khan have assimilated into the populations they conquered and become, by modern standards, quite civilized.
It should be noted that the Mongols and the Vikings were motivated exclusively by a desire to acquire material goods and conquer territory, not to win converts or impose a theocracy. As was the Roman Empire in its day. Local gods, languages and customs were largely left undisturbed by the Romans and Roman culture accommodated a considerable amount of diversity.
However, the religiously insane resemble these historical waves not at all. They are driven by one thing - convert every human being within their reach to their insane belief system or kill them as heretics. Again, please Google "Rushdooney" and "Dominionism." These evolutionary throwbacks expect to rule the world, or at least a significant part of it, and as a totalitarian theocracy. They are well-funded. They are well-organized. Their tentacles are in every part of Washington and they are making inroads in the military. Read Jeff Sharlet's book "The Family." The Unification "Church" is also a player, and the Moonies are very well connected and financed.
Am I saying that they are going to take over the country in five years? No. But this is a long-simmering insanity and they are playing a very long game. A highly motivated, well-organized and well-funded minority of totalitarian lunatics is a very dangerous thing for a modern, ostensibly democratic society to tolerate in its midst. The eliminationist rhetoric was originated on that side of this divide. What I am talking about is mere self-defense, as WW II was.
And if it ever comes down to them or us, if I am still physically capable of doing so, I will happily pick up a gun and shoot as many of them as I possibly can.