What are terrorists hoping to achieve? To put it another way, what is the ultimate goal of terrorism? If it is simply to create terror, they have succeeded. But then what is the reason for the terror? When has terror accomplished anything other than scaring people? It mystifies me.
If moderate Muslims are opposed to the excesses of militant Islam, why don’t they shout it out? Softly murmured regrets for the deaths of innocent men, women and children, is not enough. Are the moderates a bunch of cowardly sissies? Why don’t they speak up? It mystifies me.
Although I don’t believe Israel has a divine right to the land they now occupy, their existence in that land is real and obviously permanent. So how can any reasonable person or group call for their destruction? Here’s a fact: Israel is here to stay. Why can’t that be accepted in the interest of peace and prosperity for everyone involved? It mystifies me.
A radical Muslim organization straps explosives to women and children and sends them into a place where more Muslim women and children are congregated and blows up the woman or child wearing the explosives killing more Muslim women and children. Why? It mystifies me.
For decades the Afghans languished and suffered under the Taliban. It was a sad period. No music, no kite-flying, no toys, no television, no photographs, women confined to the home, girls barred from education, floggings in the street, public executions, etc. Then came the coalition forces to free them and help them build a better society. The result? Seventy percent say they hate their emancipators. I’m sorry, that mystifies me.
In spite of the lessons of history, the West (particularly the U.S.) continues to shed blood for those who hate them. They continue to occupy a nation that has never been successfully occupied by any foreign power. They continue to prop up corrupt regimes (Viet Nam was an excellent example) and impose “nation-building” despite repeated failures. Such insanity mystifies me.
Tremendous resources have been expended on bombs, missiles, bullets, tanks, artillery which could have been used to win Middle Eastern hearts and minds with humanitarian aid, schools, hospitals and other Christian acts of mercy, charity and love. The former merely perpetuates suffering and creates new enemies; the latter has a proven track-record of winning hearts and minds. We persist in the former and neglect the latter. Why does war trump mercy? It mystifies me.
Should these things mystify me? Am I off base? If so, I need your help – please explain it to me. I’ve certainly been wrong before.