Much has happened since this piece was orginally written back in November 2002 -- we initiated and waged war with Iraq beginning on March 19, 2003 and now are bogged down in that country not to mention other places where we try to stabilize situations such as Afghanistan, etc! Anyway, the problem of the "terrorist within" still creates ongoing chaos in the "land of the free and the home of the brave!"

Also, a lot of rhetoric was flying which reminded us of what an evil and very brutal man Saddam Hussein was, and how the Iraqi people needed to be liberated from his reign of terror. Well before we get our fingers lined up and pointed in his direction, maybe we best take a long look in the mirror -- why? Take a look at what the little counter that keeps track of brutality in the United States of America is telling us!!!

Unborn Children Brutally Mutilated & Murdered in USA since USA started "liberating" Iraq from the brutality of Saddam Hussein March 19 2003

Watch this for about 60 to 90 seconds
and see what happens!

At this point in time the war on terrorism waged by President Bush continues at an unprecedented pace. On the home front more government expansion and accompanying national debt take place with the creation of a monstrosity identified as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The presiding officer of this department will of course hold cabinet rank at the national level of our government, and will have regular access to the president.

The president and his loyal supporters convey a great spirit of optimism that our nation can be advanced to a state of high security with potential terrorists identified and prevented from doing any damage within U.S. borders.

However, due consideration has not been given to the fact that there is a "terrorist" of another kind which is doing even greater destruction than those who violently kill and set off explosive devices in pursuit of what they define as "holy war."

The population of the United States presently stands at about 285 million people. Evidence is quite strong that the majority of this number is in an unregenerate spiritual state -- that is, those in this group simply are not in an obedient relationship with God through the personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord! These have never met the radical demands He has laid down for relating to God in a personal way -- those demands are:

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (He) said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." John 3:3; Matthew 18:3; Luke 13:3; John 6:53 NKJV

The foremost Authority on human behavior identifies the "terrorists" of a different kind in very precise terms -- note the specifics:

And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man." Mark 7:20-23 NKJV

Yes, please don't remind me -- I already know -- we have in our society an endless parade of psychologists and psychiatrists brought before us through the many avenues of the mass media -- and these deified "authorities" prattle on about human behavior and relationships but never really get to the root cause as to why people of all ages in large numbers are contributing to the ethical, moral, and spiritual depravity of our republic -- and this in effect is greasing the skids upon which the nation is heading for sure and certain judgment at the hands of a holy God!

Obviously this group is in glaring conflict with Jesus Christ Who knows us far better than we know ourselves.

You see it is the potential "terrorist" within who poses the greatest threat to our nation, and I'm not referring to those of middle eastern descent who are engaging in "holy war" against the U.S. with some of these possibly lurking within our national boundaries.

Review again the fruits of the activities of the unregenerate crowd -- those who have acted upon the terroristic impulses as so clearly spelled out by Jesus Christ -- some of these are:

Greed which has resulted in thousands upon thousands of people losing jobs which they have had for years as corporations "down size" but at the same time make sure their CEO's and top level executives are very lavishly compensated with generous bonuses and other perks, even in instances where the corporation may be on the verge of bankruptcy! There have been huge numbers of jobs also lost due to corporations arranging for their products to be made at some sweatshop area overseas. A vast majority of consumer goods is now made in China, whether you buy a coffee maker, a frying pan or boots, caps, and shoes! All this has brought about massive hardship, suffering, and grief to families which no one other than God Himself is capable of measuring.

A majority choice to reject the holy, sane, and profitable purpose of that day which was originally set aside to give public acknowledgement and the expression of worship and devotion to God. Consequently the profaning of the day of worship by turning it into a day of business ventures, entertainment, and pursuit of self indulging pleasures continues to result in circumstances with which we as a nation are completely unprepared to face! We go full throttle seven days a week without let up -- the only difference being that we change gears on the seventh day in order to engage in our selfish pleasures and pursuits, making no space for time and attention devoted to the One in Whom we "live, move and have our being!" By admission, multitudes are what they describe as being "stressed out" and forced to go on medication to relieve the "stress" -- in the midst of the stress it is not uncommon to witness outbreaks of violent behavior -- one of the "fruits" of the terrorist within!

Pandemic immorality as God's specific guidelines for human sexuality are callously rejected by the majority as they foolishly attempt to establish their own defined standards of sexual behavior and relationships -- anyone taken a look at the numbers and identifiable types of STD's lately -- and can it be said there is a tragic connection here? Another undesirable by-product of riding the sexual roller coaster in defiance of God's established boundaries is the number of illegitimate births and single parent households -- things are not exactly rosy in the paradise of "sexual freedom!"

Expansion of violent conduct by persons of all ages resulting in death, injury, pain and suffering which is totally impossible to fathom -- this condition is powerfully nurtured by the entertainment industry which feeds us a daily diet of violence, vulgarity, and sexual immorality via graphic images and sounds!

The violence in our culture finds its greatest expression, however, in the relentless destruction of unborn children at the rate of over 20,000 per average week throughout the year. Note the tally so far since it became a "constitutional right" to destroy an unborn child:

Unborn Babies Killed since Roe vs. Wade January 1973

Actually the middle eastern type of terrorism fades into insignificance when compared to the USA's home grown variety, does it not? Come on now -- try to be honest on this one in spite of the rhetoric which the president and other politicians use when they talk about the "terrorist threat" and as they do, their refusal to face the reality of the "terrorist" within the inner being of U.S. citizens stands out like the proverbial "sore thumb!"

So then, may we expect anything constructively to be done about the "terrorist" threat that comes from within as specifically identified by the only One Who is uniquely qualified to address the subject, and thus has revealed to us the root source of all terrorist activity? Hardly, since Jesus Christ also pointed out that the final years of this world and its inhabitants would be increasingly violent and chaotic eventually duplicating conditions such as existed at the time of Noah and the time of Lot when he lived in the city of Sodom. Eventually the undiluted wrath of God was mightily displayed in these circumstances. See Jesus' own statements on the world's death throes at Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 and Luke 21. And of course a major part of the book of Revelation provides shocking details of the final stage of human history and the transition to total control of the world by Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords!

An aside here -- notice that Allah (god of the Muslims with Muhammed being the one whom they claim is the very prominent prophet of Allah) plays absolutely no part in this drama! And in this connection read about every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father in Philippians 2 -- it's going to be the big surprise event of the ages!

Does this mean then that all is hopeless? For the majority at this stage indeed it does! But for the faithful remnant -- that minority of persons throughout the world which has met the demands of Jesus Christ as pointed out at the beginning, there is a bright and very exciting hope which involves many things such as the following:

- the personal and highly visible return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords to take charge of the affairs of the whole planet -- think of it for a moment -- no more presidents, prime ministers, kings, dictators, and a hoard of politicians messing up the governments of the world as they have done throughout the centuries of human history -- no more United Nations -- at long last it will be straightened out!

- being participating citizens in His eternal Kingdom which only produces perfect love, peace and justice!

- living in a perfect environment in which violence, pain, suffering, disease, crying, grief, and death no longer exist! Just imagine -- no need for police departments, fire departments, ambulance services, hospitals, funeral homes, and cemeteries!

In the meantime we who have experienced His forgiveness, the indescribable miracle of the new birth, and His marvelous peace have a solemn responsibility to share the good news of how to be delivered from that potential "terrorist" within through the power of Jesus Christ and have the daily reality of the hope just described above.

But the responsibility also involves sounding the warning of impending judgment if widespread repentance does not take place at the personal and individual level as well as the collective level throughout every facet of our republic!

November 22, 2002
Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
Western PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and presently pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy, PA

For further reference see:

Imploding a Culture by Destroying the Young!
Popular Deities of American Culture!
How to Dismantle a Culture in 3 Easy Steps!
God Bless America? Really Now, Why Should He?
Trashing Sacred Gifts -- 21st Century Style!
"But doctor, I feel good and people say I look great!
Atrocities? Well, It Depends on Your Definition of What Is or Isn't!
United States Holocaust Gallery!
A National Rage Against Violence, BUT Not Always!
USA's Hidden Horrors!
Justice Denied!
Hold It, Mr. President -- About That Statement, "We respect life."

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