Two Things That Scare The Hell Out of Me

I'm sure we've all heard the news as of late... and there are things to fear. Sure, there is always some sensational news about something that is going to end the world or our freedom as we know it. Let's face it - when it comes to news, sex isn't the only thing that sells. Fear is a pretty good way to go also.

This little guy may look cute and cuddly, but H5N1 scares the hell out of me. Now I'm not sure how the media is portraying things back in the States, but in the area of the world that is in a position to suffer tremendously, things are pretty laxidasical about the whole thing. I read today that Indonesia is finding that it is spreading faster in its population as well as killing its victims faster. Of course, you don't hear much about it over here, but I guess it is mostly the lowly rural people who are dying - so why should the governments here care? Sometimes I fear they don't see the bigger picture. Even if the virus never mutates into a human-to-human threat, the economic impact caused by the kulling of chickens around the world (along with many other friends of a feather) has the potential to be enormous.

The second titan of fear for me is religious extremism. Any religion. Anytime someone uses faith to justify murder, there can be no winners. Somehow I don't think God, in whatever form you want to call Him/Her/Them, really needs the confidence boost of a soul exterminated in His/Her/Their name.

Specifically, I'm speaking of the extremist protests as of late over publication of religiously inappropriate material in some newspapers in Europe - though any violent backlash from an extremist section of any religion can fall into this "scary as hell" section. Fanaticism and Fundamentalism are dangerous.

Though I've not seen the cartoons, I understand that they are considered to be blasphemous. Fair enough - stage protests (idealy with permit in hand) and boycott goods if you must - just don't kill people. Go through the appropriate channels to have your voice heard over your frustration and indignation. Turning to violence isn't exactly going to win a lot of global support for your cause. Now I must make the clear distinction that the violence is not condoned by the average moderate and conservative Muslim. These are cases of extremist views - nonetheless, they are do not lend to better communication between Muslim and Non-Muslim nations and peoples.

I just read in the paper that and Indian government minister has offered an $11.5 Million US Dollar reward for anyone who beheads one of the cartoonist. And in Pakistan, a Cleric has offered $1 Million and a car for anyone who kills one of the responsible cartoonists. Can you just imagine if someone like Condaliza Rice publically put out a hit on someone... anyone because of slanderous media? It would be World War III. And that's why Religious Fanaticism scares the hell out of me - because everyone feels like they have "God" on their side. And here I was thinking that religion was about love...
~Bear