London - this day

What terror what horror

As so a year has passed since the carnage of terror swept through the centre of London hitting the tubes and a bus.

London has suffered onslaught from the Blitz during World War II and terrorist bombings by the Irish Republican Army, nothing could have prepared the residents, workers and visitors for those rush hour blasts.

Of deeper concern is the fact that these terrorists were homegrown and lived in cities North of England and for chance or circumstance had developed such a hatred for their lives and those of others who due to their actions either died or were seriously injured.

Much analysis and commentary has gone into the menace of homegrown terrorists, the effects on the lives of victims and survivors and the changes to the landscape of our freedoms, liberties and interests.

Exactly two weeks after the first bombing there was another attempt but it all failed, however, in the process all participants in that scheme were apprehended, till a easy-going member of the public was chased down and mauled to pulp with at least 6 gun shots to the head.

Losing our heads could lose lives

Yes, the police would be jittery and prone to erroneous apprehending of suspects, but the "Shoot to kill" policy was a bit of an extreme reaction to a situation we later found out to be poorly assessed and reviewed.

So Jean Charles De Menezes of Brazil became the picture of what terror had brought to the city - people would have been in a quandary as which was the greater danger and fear - that of terrorists or that of policemen who are yet to do some serious thinking about their plans.

Then just about a month ago, two young men were assailed with one shot in a terrorist raid that brought up zilch - the brothers were released and it was not till the brothers had a news conference that the police found the magnanimity to offer an apology.

If there is one thing that appears to be lost after that terrorist attack, it is the ability for our law enforcement services to keep a level head, open mind and conduct calculated, determined and well-thought through operations to nab suspected terrorists.

Sometimes, the Muslim community must draw on reserves of goodwill and forbearance not to feel under siege.

Tough on the causes of terrorism

Finally, in 1994, Tony Blair promised to be tough on crime and the causes of crime, which offers an important premise to prevent prospects from becoming criminals, to this would should add the War on terror and the causes of terrorist acts.

These delve into deep social, economic, religious issues that would take a visionary leader to direct and bring to a place of confidence. The war on terror does not half begin to address the reasons for terrorism - the more we understand the better we would be able to anticipate, or even, the safer might become in our world.

London lives and breathes, scared by terror but rejuvenated like a phoenix rising from the ashes; we live in the hope that the city would never be visited again by such carnage.

To all who died and those suffered great pain - This is London and you will never be forgotten.

In search of a humorous God

Messengers are not the message

The religious fervour that feeds activism leading to disorder as emotions becloud reason brings great concern.

It transpires that the adherents of Mohammedanism have taken serious exception to a number of cartoons depicting the pioneer of their following in sometimes unpalatable poses.

It makes one wonder though about the message, the messenger and who it is all about. When the messenger becomes the message and story, there is need for a reassessment of priorities.

Authority of the messenger

With Christianity, the message comes through a messenger that is part of the fulfilment of the message itself. The claim that Jesus Christ makes as first the Son of God and then a first son of God gives him that authority.

Comparatively, no other messenger lays such a claim, hence, they probably should be less vilified by the machinations of men and seek less validation since the message itself comes from some higher authority – as it were.

Basically, a son delivers a message in the name of the father whilst an adopted but honoured servant delivers the message as a representative of the master.

In both cases, if the messengers do then encounter difficulty, they are either empowered to act on authority of the father/master or the father/master takes the slight and makes adequate redress for the son/servant.

Let the master defend his integrity

It brings to memory a story in the Great Book where someone had desecrated the altar of a god and all the adherents of that god came out in arms to take the life of the desecrator.

Some elders intervened and said, if the said god were so incensed about the desecration then the god should act; however, it might appear the god was merciful because the desecrator lived. [1]

Jihads and crusades which in principle are well-meaning have done much to excite plunder, destruction and misery such that the good news is lost in the suffering that then portrays the message as that of sorrow.

Religious activism wins no converts

In many of my blogs I have strongly suggested that religious activism is a lightning rod for social ills, it does coalesce adherents but does nothing to help in proselytising.

The best message any religion can give is the power of example from the adherents; examples that make people ask questions about your happiness, your amazing success, your overwhelming peace of mind, your enduring patience and manifold wisdom.

Brawling, flag-burning, singing, boycotting and shouting insults at pickets and rallies are for all other kinds of endeavour but definitely not religion.

The matter is simple; if you want people to believe as strongly as you do;

·         show us the example that makes you a disciplined and reasonable family person even if your family consists of just one person

·         show us consideration, courtesy and comportment in all your undertakings

·         show us you are a respected and valued member of your community as an externalisation of your beliefs

·         show us, you practise what you preach

In search of a humorous God

As for the cartoons, let the messengers and the message they preached speak up to the shame of the irreverent cartoonists.

Showing up in anger and rage would do nothing to win the argument, rather, others like the press and haters of your religion would use your raw emotion very well against you, your message, the messenger and the father/master.

For once, let us see the lighter side of the insults and humour the ignorant into realising that our adherence is of sterner stuff than their cartoons can enrage a mouse.

References

[1] Let the gods fight their battles

BBC NEWS | Europe | Muslim anger at Danish cartoons

BBC NEWS | Europe | France enters Muslim cartoon row