Our Own Radical Clerics

Bob Jones and his ilk — which compose our own American brand of radical clerics — have declared a war of civilizations against those that do not share their worldview. These radical clerics have issued fatuahs against modernity and progress, and — if it were up to them — these radical clerics and their followers would impose an authoritarian Theocracy on one of modern history’s greatest exponents of Liberty, Reason and Progress: America.

I that there are millions of conservative Christians that firmly believe in the correctness of their convictions. Well, I — and millions more across this nation — firmly belive in correctness and righteousness of our convictions, too. And, of course, both our camps stand diametrically opposed on many issues — especially in regards to the strict separation that must exist between church and state.

As I sit here, it is perfectly clear to me that the single greatest impediment to social progress, peace and “modernity” in the Arab world is a constant flirtation with Islamic Theocracy. In 2001, just before our forces went into Afghanistan, there was a lot of talk about being engaged in a war of “civilizations”; and that we would be liberating Afghanistan from the hands of a group of “strict interpreters of spiritual scriptures,” the Taliban. Well, many Americans have died — in part — to liberate the Afghan people from the clutches of an authoritarian Theocratic regime; and it would be a shame if, as our military tore down such a regime abroad, that radical clerics here erected a theocracy at home.

I’m afraid that many on my camp have not yet taken the threat of our radical clerics here at home seriously enough, and by the time that they do, it might be too late. Already these radical clerics have marshaled millions to more rapidly tare down the center pillar of our nation: the separation between church and state.