IRAQ - the MODERN CRUSADE

One might look at Iraq and give several reasons for the war there, including the Al Qaieda terrorism conflict in Afghanistan and its correspondence where that focus is now broadsided by the Iraqi Solution. But we must look deeper to understand the origins of this conflict, yes, even back to the religious Crusades. As in the Crusades, the same general rules apply; control land and control its wealth; and protect your control over what you now possess in that land; and the historical factors of the region must also be considered, both culturally and religiously.

Constantine united the various Popes and their churches under a single banner, thus making the Christian "Universal Church" an institution of mandates and acceptance of the Lord Jesus the Christ, and uniting the various Popes under a banner of agreement, or governing authority. The various popes had their own properties and own military orders, all for the purpose of protecting and proliferating their doctrine of belief and the wealth it generated; in which pursuit the overall outcome could be an equation that control over societies equaled control over wealth and the more powerful that control the more unified things would be. But that was difficult in primitive times and often required more than a peaceful approach. It can be righteously argued, however, that the human part of the equation - how to feed and house the brethren and others, and how to maintain a workable commerce, deal with commodities etc. - all were necessary factors involved in such pursuance.

Only briefly; when the Prophet Muhammad delivered His Revelation (approximately 600 years after that of Jesus the Christ) guiding mankind to a newer doctrine of religious teachings and laws - as has often been the case in prior religious histories - those who claimed authority in their accepted religion found it against their desires to accept a newer faith; and the succession of the Prophetic Revelations were not verified by the Prophets of those times, so the most sincere adherents often split the religion into two and then several sectarian Powers of belief contingent upon their specific understanding and interpretation and thereby guiding those who followed their particular doctrine - albeit that all were adherents of the original Revelation - and thereby to the most extent unified in their purpose. And so Islam became prominent in the Middle East and began to consume, or take back sites and wealth formerly held by Judaism and Christianity, "the Church." This, in a broad general sense, is the reason why the religious Crusades commenced. Defending the Christian Sites, or holdings and wealth of the church, including its membership, were military orders, among which were the Templars, the Knights of Malta, and other church military orders, some very humanitarian in their purpose. The object being to protect Church assets (properties, various items of wealth and membership) from confiscation, death, or conversion by the armies of Islam (as the followers of Islam believed the same of their own purpose), and to gain more wealth and to continue to spread the faith. Thus, a conflict of protection and purpose commenced and has lasted these many ages between various interests which I believe can find their roots in religious purpose, though concerning properties, wealth, and membership.

Today, the wealth is the oil, or black gold, plus the geographical locations where this oil is held and can be profitably accessed. We have on one side, those who came to the Middle East and promulgated the discovery of this oil, and those who fought to protect their rights to it, or to exploit such resources as partners with the governments and empires of the regions; and the monies that were poured into these regions for the purpose of sharing the wealth in their development under conditions of tribal disunity and bartering for position. Add to that the political manipulations required to manipulate such events and you have a plethora of difficulties (or illnesses) which have only been treated and not cured.

We find on one side of the affair is the government of Russia (though today there is diplomatic and rather close relationships with the more developed nations of the world), which has essentially been a friend to Iran, the government that holds the primary position in the Persian Gulf. The next great supply of world oil lies in the Black Sea, which is geographically favorable to Russia, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan and the Middle East in general; and the Atlantic, along the shores of Israel, all in close geographical proximity to each other. Consider then, how favorable it would be if those powers joined forces together with control over the major world supply of oil; and then consider what powers they would hold over the world due to this capacity. There is a desire to facilitate the delivery of oil to the user markets in China and America (and the rest of the world); and the apparent best course of this delivery (some of which is already in process) is another Alaska pipeline over the Aleutian Island Chain to Russia and China. Consider now the friendliness of Venezuela (CITCO Oil) with those Middle Eastern powers (and its penetration into the U.S. markets) and the potential cartels of control over oil which can be generated. Thus borders and alliances become very important in this process. And with little understanding of the subject one can quickly surmise that Iraq and Afghanistan are the middle-keys which can keep such powers generally separated and at bay, or at least bargaining chips in any settlement or agreement regarding the oil supply. This must be stated, however, under the assumptions that such alliances would be bad for the world as current propaganda predicts; but one must pay attention to the alliances and former history of those powers and their leanings, which would certainly lead one to fear such controls over oil at this time.

In all of this affair, attention must also be given to the position of Syria, once the great empire that controlled most of the area, now attempting in armed and financial ways to exert influence over the eventual outcome of these ruinous affairs, sitting on the sidelines and waiting to see what happens, attempting to play a neutral position to remain on the side of the winner, whoever that might be; using its oil reserves and power of wealth to maintain its position. But the real conflict would come when each of the factions then face off in their own negotiative techniques if left to themselves to resolve the complex issues of historical ownership versus religions preference and human rights. So what one faction in the world is dealing with - that which is referred to as terrorism - is more likened to the final play of the game, where the teams face off each hoping to win the game.

If, for example, current strategies be considered: Iraq were left up for grabs, the fear should be that the government of Iran - supported by Russia and Syria - could sweep through the Middle East across to the bay of Israel, and wind up controlling all of the Middle Eastern oil resources to the greatest extent. This would then mean, at least until further scientific advancement takes oil out of the bargaining chip (to the main extent), that the governments of the Middle East, Russia included, would hold the rest of the world under its economic powers. This could mean the reality of financial wars as a very viable possibility. in other words, this would strongly raise the possibility of global nuclear war in order that "the enemy" - whichever enemy it might be - be nuked in order to end any conflict. So world peace, as one might imagine it to be would be put off, although outward signs appear otherwise, while now there is a chance to end conflict and wage peace instead of war. But it is too early to really predict the outcome of current strategies. Thus, we may be faced with a grievous calamity - either that, or we must turn to God for the solution, that is the only real answer to this complex problem.

The purpose of Iraq and Afghanistan fighting can be propagandized for very righteous reasons, such as terrorism or nuclear threat; but the real reasons go far back in history and are connected to wealth and religion; wealth being contained both in real property, valued properties and membership adherents, which also is solidified by one's religion, something men are willing to die for; their belief and allegiances, as the fanatical adherents have exemplified. Bin Laden states that "we value life" while he values death in the path of God. The response to that is; if you value death so much, then be the first to blow yourself up and exemplify what you believe rather than send others to an unknown grave. But this is the course all corrupt leaders take; to send others to die in their stead. Thus it becomes obvious that we must put an end to these ruinous wars that kill the innocent and wage peace instead. We now possess the means to accomplish this great task.

The primary cause of peace, therefor, will not come from war, or winning a war. It shall come from, and can really only come from first, the recognition by all that there is one God and that all religion comes essentially from that one God. Thus, all religions essentially agree and mankind must recognize this fact to end this great difference created by men, not by God. We must end this prejudice, that one religion is better than another by understanding the source from whence religion is revealed. We must also end racial and patriotic prejudices as these are surely not recognized by God. Once these three prejudices are ended, we can put an end to war and wage peace. It seems simple, but it is difficult for many to give up such prejudicial beliefs. Consider, however, that at one time we believed slavery was essential; yet now we fully recognize how wrong it is to the extent that we have laws to make it a crime.

When we examine by history the real causes for Iraq, we can also understand that there are some who will never put down the sword. Their plight is already written, their fate is already sealed by God. Now is the time for the leaders of the world to come together in understanding, to have frank and truthful consultation regarding the necessary requirements for peace. This is God's plan, for the world to have the Most Great Peace. Mankind can achieve this by an act of its own will, or it shall happen in due course by the Hand of God. We are no longer separated, all are involved with the other; the nations must come together to make a lasting peace. There is no other choice available that will end in such results.