The next World War: Crude oil or Crusade?

[thatcrazycajun]

As I read in print and on the Net about radical Islamist leaders calling for the head of Pope Benedict XVI over his quoting of an ancient monarch's statements about Islam (which Benedict, to give him his due, repeatedly stressed he was quoting for historical context only, not because he agreed with the statements); as our government's misguided actions in Iraq and elsewhere fan the flames of anti-U.S. hatred among radical Islamists yet further; as our own so-called religious "leaders" such as the Revs. Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell preach exactly the kind of anti-Islamic sentiments of which Benedict stands unfairly accused (see CNN.com archived article here); and as more and more anti-Western terror plots are uncovered in which radical Islamists orchestrate attacks on civilians in non-military settings, I find myself wondering if I have been wrong all these years in predicting that the next great global conflict would be in the Mideast and over oil. Was I only half right? Are we living in the run-up to a new World War between the West, i.e., Christianity and/or the secular governments, and Islam (or at least radical, militant factions thereof)? Discuss.

Comments

[wolfette]

there do seem to be those on both sides who are keen on the idea of conflict between Christianity (and even our Western secular governments are for the most part heavily influenced by a Christian heritage)(and remembering I'm a Pagan, that's a big admission) and Islam.

It's the "End-Timers" Christians who worry me the most - they seem to be actively seeking this conflict to bring about their eagerly sought "Armageddon".

[shelleybear.livejournal.com]

If I had a rocket launcher
If I had a rocket launcher.
Some son of a bitch would pay.
Yes I would surely make him pay.*

The Bare Naked ladies doing "If I had a Rocket Launcher".

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

You do know Tom Smith already beat you to that one, right? :-) (See "Barenaked Cockburn" on the CD Debasement Tapes.)