Sigh. . . looks like this thread has run it's course. But it was a very good one for a while. Our common interest is music, but we are citizens of the world, and we talk about many topics between songs, and our songs speak of many of these things. I just haven't been able to think of a good one that covers this topic. We began by comparing terrorists with missionaries. Though we've pretty thoroughly bashed missionaries, there seems to be concensus that terrorists and missionaries are not cast in the same mold, and though they cast long shadows, they are not the same.

I've been thinking about the songs I grew up with. For a view of how some christian folks work, I would suggest a Richard Dyer-Bennet song that pillories the clergy (not missionaries in particular)--"The Vicar of Bray."

Perhaps Tom Lehrer has something demented that is more appropriate to our senses of humor? I can't think of what it would be. But as far as I know, he's still alive. Perhaps he is writing something as I type?

As to the terrorism that we have alluded to but not actually discussed in depth here, I see retaliation as the route to truly fulfilling one of Lehrer's prophetic songs--"We Will All Go Together When We Go."

How's that for a segue back to music? "We will all fry together when we fry" if we keep up the fighting, considering the level of arms that are available, and the free-fall that is apparently possible when one is on a suicide mission and has a jetliner or a nuclear bomb to hand.

I've enjoyed this thread, and will participate on occasion in others. I work full-time, am a single parent, and am in graduate school, so I'm stealing time from myself to read and contribute. But I grew up in a musical family, where at dinner we spoke of any topic that occured to us, and often times our thoughts found their expression in song. In this postmodern world where few things can be considered "universal," I think music is one of those few. It touches our minds and our hearts, and as we think about everything else under the sun, we refer back to our common humanity with music.

As to this topic and the possible "flamers" and "bashers" along the way: many of us measure spirituality with very personal yardsticks, an amaglam of ancient and modern, local or worldwide belief systems, an eclectic blend from the "global village." May those beliefs bring us comfort, understanding, peace, and true joy.

(Perhaps I shouldn't add to these threads in allergy season--benedryl and an evening glass of wine seem to loosen my fingers on the keyboard!)

Skoal!