One year on, since the day the world shook under the terror attacks of Sept 11, we brace ourselves for another war in Iraq. George Bush mobilizes, against world opinion. He is resolute to defend his country from future attacks, which have the potential to make Sept 11 look like child's play.

Meanwhile, an historic event takes place here in New Zealand, our first Islamic MP swears to uphold his duties of state on the Koran. This is a great day in the history our country, in recognition of the political principles of religious toleration and the freedom of the individual.

This is something taken for granted by many living in "God's own", but is totally foreign to the psyche of the middle east. It is for this reason; Iraq is once again, about to reap the whirlwind.

It was collectivist religious fanaticism, which brought about Sept 11 and continues to threaten western civilization. It is collectivist religious fanaticism, which keeps the Israeli /Palestinian conflict fresh with blood.

Many think that it is about land, it is not. It is about Collectivist totalitarianism, religious interference with the affairs of state, which violate individual rights. This is proven by the fact that, if the governments of both Palestine and Israel upheld the rights of individuals to religious freedom and private property, it would matter little whose jurisdiction the Gaza strip was under, as both peoples would be free to live and worship there, regardless of race or religion.

If both states protected the rights of every individual citizen through just laws, and swiftly punishing those whom believe they have a right to impose their religion upon others, Both peoples could live in peace and safety.

The Palestinian authority needs to recognise and protect the rights of Jews and visa-versa. If this occurred, they could unite, for mutual benefit.

This is the only solution to the troubles in the Middle East and it is not until this happens, that the world will be safe from Middle Eastern religious terror. What is needed to achieve this in the Middle Eastern Nations is the equivalent of the Great Reformation, which occurred in the West.

The Reformation began as early as the 14th century with John Wickliffe, and has come to near fruition, in the modern civilization of the United States of America. It was through the birth of Protestantism that the Christian west learned the principles of the separation of the church and state, and the inalienable rights of the individual. This is what brought an end to religious tyranny and persecutions in the West (except sadly, in Ireland)

In the name of the rights and freedom of the individual, Christian President, George W Bush stood beside American Islamic leaders and defended their rights to exist, free from persecution in the wake of the September attacks, telling those whom would vent their violent anger upon them...Not in America! This was the action of a great leader of men! He was not compromising his own beliefs in any way, he was living up to them. He is a man of peace and liberty.

Terrible fear of religious vengeance came upon the Islamic communities living in the west,and american islamics must indeed be grateful to live in a country who's authorities don't condone such vile behavior and for the Great leadership of President Bush, who understands that his own right to worship Jesus Christ is the same right his fellow Islamic Americans have to worship their god in liberty. This is political equality, and is the essential distinction of the American Government, from the Taleban.

Without the equal right to religious liberty, via the separation of the church and State, the western world, including New Zealand would still be living in the Dark Age totalitarianism of the Holy Roman Empire, which was the Christian equivalent of the Taleban.

Religious tyranny destroys Individual liberty and brings war and misery.

It is sad that many New Zealanders, especially Christians, have not grasped these great truths, no doubt many a good shirt was torn at the sight of Ashraf Choudhary swearing in on the Koran!

The fact that the bible and the Koran are used at all shows that the principle of the separation of church and state has not been fully appreciated even now in New Zealand, as do the insane laws banning Easter trading, However the freedom to swear in on the Koran and the relatively recent abolishment of restrictions on the sale of liquor on Sundays, at least shows we are making progress.

We live in great peace and religious liberty. We still have a long way to go. Notwithstanding, our western society is a far cry from the Religious Military tyrannies of the Middle East and the mind set of Al Qaeda, Bin Laden, and Hussein.

Their collectivist hatred of religious freedom has brought misery and destruction to their own lands and threatens the free world. George W Bush is fully justified in attacking Iraq. Sadam Hussein is evil and a great threat to America, which must be removed. President Bush is fulfilling his duty to the American people.

I say "God bless him and America" and strengthen their resolve.

May He grant them swift victory over their enemies.

May the Middle Eastern world open their eyes the reality of every individual human beings god given rights, to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. Until then, rivers of blood shall continue to flow in the name of god.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance - Good must triumph over evil.

These are the hard lessons of Sept 11.

- Tim Wikiriwhi - twikiriwhi@hotmail.com

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