Resident aliens
On reading the names of terror suspects arrested in Canada, I heaved a sigh of relief. No Jermaines, no Delroys, no one obviously Jamaican…..But according to the Trinidad Express there are Trinis and Jamaicans among those arrested.
So now it appears that there is almost no area of the world in which young men of Jamaican origin are not embittered and disaffected enough to join a radical Islamist cause. But should we believe that these men are somehow different than the young men who rob and kill on the streets of Jamaica ? More religious, albeit Muslims ? More educated ? Or should we believe that they are not much different – young men who feel that the world disrespects them and look forward to making the world respect them….
“The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason” (Sam Harris)
“Holy Terrors : Thinking about Religion after September 11” (Bruce Lincoln)
Jamaica's religiosity
Tomorrow, 6/6/06, is likely to be a thrilling day for the 65% of Jamaicans who, according to a recent poll, believe that the Bible is literally true.
As many of you doubtless know, Revelation 13:18 says:
Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six. (American Standard Version)
This means that many will spend the day waiting for (1) the apocalypse (2) people walking around with the mark of the beast. If this is one of your preoccupations, I strongly suggest not going to work and spending the day in prayer and repentance – even if the world doesn't end you will still have spent the day usefully and well.
Meanwhile, in Hell, Michigan, the residents are hoping to sell lots of souvenirs and alcohol to tourists from nearby Detroit…..
For myself, I shall be reflecting upon Yogi Berra's wise words:
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.
“The Mark: The Beast Rules the World (Left Behind No. 8)” (Tim F. LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins)
“The Truth Behind Left Behind : A Biblical View of the End Times” (Mark Hitchcock, Thomas Ice)
“The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in The Book of Revelation” (Barbara R. Rossing)
[posted with ecto]
Jamaica and the world 