Tend to Disagree

It's no secret that the stated division between church and state barely functions in the United States of America. Pastor Russell Johnson knows that he has an important job in the next election: to maintain Republican control over the House of Representatives and the Senate. No he's not a campaign strategist with the Republican Party, just a preacher doing his job. He's go two more sermons to convince his congregation to give the Republicans another chance. His latest communique declared: "If there are al-Qaida sleeper cells here in Ohio I can tell you they are not voting for Mike DeWine (the Republican Senate candidate)".

I tend to disagree with your analysis Pastor Johnson. An al-Qaida member would clearly vote for the Republican party; hell, they probably will come November. For one thing, despite what you might think, you share the same values. These being, increasing the presence of religion in public life; the strict interpretation of scripture; the destruction of dangerous minority groups including heretics and the LGBTQ community; and promoting your chosen religion as the exclusive word of God.

And most of all you are both wholly committed to violence, against the core precepts of your chosen religions. You support wars in far away lands Pastor Johnson. Al-Qaida fights their own wars where they choose. You both target civilians, despite your best intentions. You both have recognized that violence is the best way to influence the world and get people's attention. By accepting an eye for an eye you reinforce each other at every turn.

Al-Qaida knows what to expect from the Republicans. They know that you'll feed their movement by invading Muslim lands and persecuting Muslims at home and abroad. This will swell their ranks and allow them to continue the fight for generations. One day, the US and al-Qaida won't even know what they're fighting for anymore. Fighting will be all you have.

Too bad people don't like to think for themselves. It's so much easier when someone tells you what to do, who to vote for, who to marry or what to wear. Keep up the good work Pastor Johnson.