Recently, I watched a documentary, Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West, which showed Muslim extremists and their religious leaders using classic propaganda techniques to inflame their followers to hate Westerners— particularly Israelis, Americans and the British.
It was a gripping, gut-wrenching glimpse into the mindset of one troubling segment of modern-day Islam. "Death to America!" is their cry. Hate slogans, reminiscent of the Nazi movement of the 1930s and 1940s in Europe, are being shouted in mass rallies at Muslim schools and colleges. These hatemongers are using modern methods to instill in young Muslims across the Middle East—and in parts of Europe—an irrational hatred and unfounded fear of non-Muslims.
Radical political parties have gained power in Iran, Lebanon and other predominantly Muslim nations, openly using terrorism, intimidation and torture to achieve their ends. Children, adolescents and young adults are being taught that it is their religious duty to hate and kill the enemy—defined as anyone who does not embrace their brand of radical Islamic dogma—even if it costs them their own lives. In one chilling scene, the documentary showed a respected religious teacher telling a large class of children that there is no higher calling than to be killed while fighting "infidels" in jihad, or holy war.
Though well-trained and well-equipped U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are using the latest military techniques to fight insurgents and terrorists, they have been unable to fully subdue their opponents and claim lasting victory. Why? Because the battle is really for the hearts and minds of the foe. Until true freedom and brotherhood are taught and embraced by all the warring peoples, no victory can be had unless one faction completely subjugates the others, killing all those opponents who are willing not only to kill but to die for their cause.
The ultimate battlefield is found in the hearts and minds of men, women and children, for it is there that ideas, attitudes and resolve are formed. For meaningful change to occur, it must begin with a change of heart and mind. Without such change, no real progress can be made—and no victory can be won, whatever the cause.
God has revealed how He will bring lasting peace and prosperity, first to Israel and then to all humanity. He promises: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them" (Ezekiel 36:26–27).
The verses that follow describe many benefits that result from this change of heart. God has promised to bring about the change, and He alone can make it happen. He will do it on His timetable, according to the plan He is working out here below. Until then, our world's bloodshed and carnage will continue, for the real battlefield has been ignored.
Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray, "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This is the message we bring on the Tomorrow's World television program and in all our publications. In these troubled times, the world needs this information.
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The above is adapted from one of the many commentaries, discussing vital topics facing our world, available at the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web sites.