Why would any group choose to behead someone? In the 21st
Century, the words barbarians and beheadings should both be viewed as arcane language.
Instead, we see South and Central American drug cartels plus groups of
extremists fighting in the Middle East using beheadings as a frequent and
popular method of murder. For those of us living in the relative shelter and
peace of the Continental United States, it’s hard to fathom the black hole of
hatred and darkness seen and used by these people. Why do they behead people?
One clue concerning the Islamic extremists leads us to the
time of Mohammed. Even in the prophet’s time, (570 AD to 632 AD), he was
condemned for an act of violence which left seven-hundred Jewish men beheaded at the siege of Banu Qurayza.
In certain parts of Italy and in the U.S., the Mafia and drug cartels of South
America use beheadings to serve as warnings to those who would stand in their
way.
Sadly, we probably have not reached the end of this
appalling use of violence and barbarism in the course of human existence. Where
the cycle of violence will end and how is yet unknown to us. But when the
unthinkable occurs time and again and the unspeakable acts are given free reign
within the marauding gangs of terrorists, then we must take a hard look at our
own system of values and beliefs. Not because we condone such acts, but simply
because we remain silent too long.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Our lives begin to end the
day we become silent about things that matter.” He spoke eloquently of the
greatest tragedy being not the “…strident clamor of the bad people, but the
appalling silence of the good people.” The silence is appalling. No quarter
should be given for barbaric acts occurring in the 21st Century. No
one should remain silent. When enough people of good faith raise their voices,
the will to commit the unthinkable will be forever silenced.
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