Throughout the history of politics in the United States, it has always been based predominantly on the Judeo-Christian systems of belief. Though people may have followed various traditions within those two predominant faiths, there was a common ground. They were a Christian. They were a Jew. But, they found a commonality without conflict.
 
As time has progressed, other religious faiths have come into play, not only United States, but across all geopolitical realms, as well. But, as I'm going to be speaking mostly about the United States in this piece, I think I will stay focused on what is taking place in the U.S.
 
In recent years, people that follow the Islamic faith have come to political office, at various levels of United States government. If you ever met a person of Islamic faith, for the most part, they hold to their traditions very strongly. And, there is certainly nothing wrong with that. A century ago, even a couple of decades ago, most Christian politicians also held very strongly to their faith. Some still do.
 
The thing is, with time, and human evolution, it seems that religious belief, for most religions, has become less of a dominant factor in their thought process, and more of one of those background apps that are swirling on your computer, or your iPhone, that you may or may not know is there, but you don't really pay all that much attention to it. Good or bad, that's the reality.
 
With those of the Islamic faith, however, religion tends to play much more of a central part in their thought process. If you've ever met a person who strongly holds their Islamic faith, and you mentioned the word Israel to them, the entire level of the conversation changes. They are one hundred percent against the State of Israel. This, even though there is a large Islamic population living there. Even if they have to pretend to be nice about the subject of the country, they hold very strong negative feelings about Israel and the belief that the country should not exist at all.
 
I'm not going to go into the whole history and the evolution of the modern State of Israel. I will say, however, that the Judaic religion is based in history, ideologies, and teachings that are thousands of years old. Whereas, the Islamic religion is relatively new, in terms of modern history, founded by Muhammad in the seventh century of the common era. So, who is owed what and why?
 
This being said, speak about Israel, and anything that associates with Israel taking place in the Middle East, and it is very obvious where an individual’s belief system leans. No quarter is given to any of the other elements that may take place. Certainly, the attack of Hamas on Israel, three years ago, was a horrendous, horrible event. Israel didn't ask for it. Certainly, the people that were attacked, raped, killed, including children and babies, they didn't ask for it. Yet, it was unleashed by a terrorist faction, that has remained in power, to whatever degree, and it is, in fact, still applauded by many. How can any of that be considered right on any level?
 
I, myself, am an initiated member of the Sufi order, which is part of the Islamic faith. In fact, that was the first initiation that formally took place in my life when I was seventeen years old. Thus, I have a link to Islam, as well. And, I'm very proud of that fact. But, the level of Islam that I was involved with, at the earlier stages of my life, and all of those around me, were wholeheartedly embracive of all other religions. There was never anything stated negative about the Jewish faith, or Israel, or anything like that. In fact, many people hoped to travel to Israel. I know I have traveled there. I love the country. It is a beautiful place, with obviously immense historic significance. But, how does that play into modern geopolitics? How does that play into the mindset of people that hate Israel simply because it's a Jewish state? How does that play into the fact that there are numerous politicians, of the Muslim faith, here in the United States, who are openly against Israel, and are openly against the leaders of that country?
 
The United States is based upon freedom of religion. What you believe is what you believe. Certainly, when the Declaration of Independence and the foundational elements of the U.S. were formed, people were unanimously of the Christian faith. This being sad, that was not the definition of the country. Open belief was the definition of the country. So, where is that open belief system when politicians in the United States are openly against Israel and its political leaders? Doesn't that make them anti-American?
 
You people out there across the world, many of you question the righteousness of anything American. And, I get that. The United States has done some pretty messed up stuff. There's no doubt about that. But, the country has also supplied the world with a lot of money. Think how many countries, based in the Islamic faith, right now are taking millions or billions of dollars each year from United States taxpayers simply to keep their political regium and their country operating. Examples are: Egypt receives approximately $1.4 billion to $1.5 billion annually, Somalia receives $1.18 billion, Jordan: receives roughly $1.45 billion to $1.69 billion, and those are just a couple of examples.
 
I'm not going to go into the whole tax structure here in the U.S., and how it's pretty messed up. We all pay a lot of taxes. Even if you live in another country, and you're an American citizen, not only do you have to pay taxes in the country where you're living, but you also have to pay U.S. taxes. Pretty messed up, right? But, that’s just the way it is. There's no change in the reality of that reality.
 
But, back to the point… If you're an American citizen, particularly one that is working for the U.S. government, and getting paid by taxpayers, isn't it your duty to not simply uphold the beliefs of your faith, but uphold the rights of the people who are paying your bills?
 
There's this weird thing in United States society, that people believe that once they are elected to whatever position they're elected into, they have carte blanche, and they can do whatever it is they feel like doing, as long as they hold that position. They take their power level as high as it can be ascended. But, in doing that, who are they hurting? If they are hurting anyone, then how are they helping anyone? If they are hating someone of another faith… If they are taking sides against someone of another faith… If they're taking sides against a country that the United States considers a close ally, who are they serving?
 
Most people of faith, especially those who hold a strong religious faith, will say that they owe their god everything. That no matter what they do, all must be done for their faith and their god. Maybe that's true? I don't know? But, what I do know is that when somebody takes an oath to be an American citizen… When someone takes an oath to serve the American Constitution, and the American way, then taking sides against anybody simply because of their religious beliefs, and this includes those who take sides against Islam, that is wrong.
 
So, here’s the question… Where is your right, and where is your wrong? Who are you? What do you do? What do you do believe based upon your faith? What do you do base upon your faith? What thoughts, philosophies, and actions do you send out into the world based upon your faith? And, if your faith tells you to hurt anybody—if your religious leaders tell you to hurt anybody, ask yourself, how truly holy are they?
 
Do you want to be hurt because of what you believe? You want to be hurt simply because you believe what you believe? Do you think it's right that people invaded another country, literally raping and killing children and young people, even babies? Is that right on any level?
 
Let's not forget who the perpetrators of hatred truly are. If they're based in their religion, what does that say about their religion?
 
Mostly, what are you going to do right now, today, right here in this moment, based upon your faith, or otherwise, to make this world a better, safer, happier, healthier, and more holy place?
 
If you are following the path of hatred and hurt, how can that help anyone or anything? And, what does that make you?