Anger, deflated, upset, horrified, determined. These are some of the words that instantly come to mind as I think about last weekend’s atrocities in Paris, Beirut, and Sinjar. The most important word in that list is determined.
I am determined not to let the evil bastards that call themselves Isis to change my way of life or thinking. I am determined not to consider fanatical terrorism as a Muslim problem just like I don’t consider the terrorists killing Muslims in Myanmar/Burma a Buddhist problem.
I am determined to travel the world to meet all kinds of people and experience different cultures. I WILL go to rock concerts, I WILL go to watch football. I WILL dance, drink champagne, and run naked on a beach.
I will still talk and joke with my Muslim neighbors just as I will still talk and joke with my Christian neighbours.
Isis wants us to be divided. They hate places like London and Paris because of the diversity in these cities. Isis wants us divided so they can start a war between Muslims and “non-believers.” They truly believe by doing this they will help bring the end of the world.
We can not let them win.
Only by sticking together and living the lives we want to live can we defeat them. Their biggest weapon is fear. The more we fear to attend rock concerts, football matches and restaurants the more powerful this evil organisation becomes.
The more we fear people who are “different” from us the more this evil organization becomes.
Terrorism is not a new phenomena. In my lifetime there have been many different types of terrorist organisations. All were defeated, just like Isis will be.
I have travelled to over 46 countries and I know that 99% of the world’s population want the same things. Freedom, shelter, safety, food and love.
I don’t need weapons to help destroy Isis, I just need an open heart and an open mind. They will never take that away from me.
Please don’t let them take it away from you either. If you do, then they have won.