Posted by Nick Stone (210.14.209.220) on November 24, 2002 at 09:42:29:

Dear Friends,

Mr Bin Laden has just released a statement of his beliefs to the world. I had a quick flick through and found numerous criticisms of the West, and in particular the USA.

The Baha'i Writings talk about the USA going through fiery ordeals before it emerges to become a world leader, administratively and spiritually (I am too tired to find quotes, someone else can if they want to).

Being a student of politics and current affairs, it does appear that the USA is hardly distinguishing itself in many fields at the moment, such as violating international law, opposing action to halt climate change, policies of dubious moral integrity in the Middle East concerning Israel... and other criticisms can be added ad nauseam.

At the risk of stirring up a hornet's nest of people wishing to defend the actions of the US government, I would be interested in other Baha'is views on where the USA, the UN, the West is going in the near future; what might make them change their current course; what do people think when evil people such as Bin Laden actually have possibly valid criticisms etc.

Someone once mentioned to me that the Jews have suffered 2000 years for crucifying Christ, yet His persecution lasted but a handful of years. How much more must the Islamic world suffer for the suffering it heaped on Baha'u'llah?

Are such figures as Bin Laden ultimately hastening the final fall of Islam? How does this relate to the birth of the new world order?

Any thoughts?

I quite liked Bin Laden's point about 1.5 million Iraqi children dying as a result of UN sanctions on that country, which no one flinches at, yet when 3000 equally innocent people die in the September 11 atrocities (he did not word it quite like this), everyone in the world stood up and took notice.

Any thoughts?

Nick

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