If we concentrated on what we had in common -- in the way of objective truth and the Tao -- it's quite likely they might understand the abject errors on which those who've co-opted them have capitalized.
I think it's extremely shortsighted to write off as abject evil the whole kit and caboodle.
I'm not one of those so deluded that I buy the traditional commie schtick that Christianity and communism are essentially similar. Quite the opposite.
It's just that it's only in starting from that sense of injustice or "hope" for perfection common to all human hearts that we expose the utopians and connivers and illuminate the substantive (albeit more humbling and difficult to accept) truths about our human nature and our lives together on this earth.
I think that's a large part of the Bush campaign, that's why Cheney mentioned long time frame that one could expect to see results from their actions. The only military part of the campaign now is in Afghanistan. That's an action to shut down the world's only openly safe base of operations for the jihadists.
Bush knows the the west is under assault on several authoritarian fronts. The 2 largest, and most threatening, are the leftists and the jihadists. Bush's campaign is focused and the main strategy is exactly as you summarized in the above quote. Bush is well aware that this is a struggle between good and evil forces, but he's not going to directly address the fact that Mohammed was a false prophet and his followers are nitwits.
Re: putting a smile on satan's face.
I thought you might have recognized his work and who was behind it.
" Same M.O. as always for any "Front" (for communist repression and terror) ... violence, terror, assassination and -- the dead giveway -- a wealthy son of the wealthy whose consciousness had been "raised" into radicalism to serve as leader, spokesman and enjoy certain privileges re: freedom of movement and from prosecution in the EU world."
If you recall Job, satin is that angel in heaven that challenges God. The moral choices made by individuals on earth are going to honor one of the two. Along with whatever temptations, pestulance and wicked teachings(figurative satan) that exist as a general feature of this world, there is also direct temptation by satan(the angel himself).
Luke 4:5-8
" The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
All men are given Free will. Jesus was a man. In order for this to be a real temptation for Him, His knowledge and understanding must have been such that it was a real moral choice. His choice was between using His great power He knew He had for His own designs, or keeping it for His Father's design. The "worship requested" was the honor and glory either the Father, or satin would recieve from the decision. Jesus knew that satan existed, but did not know it was he who tempted Him and what was requested, until He understood His choices. Only then could He respond with, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"
Jesus also said in John 8:44 " You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
satan is real and is a player here in this world. Just as the Holy Spirit comes to all men, so to does satin. Jesus is the Light of the world, satin is it's darkness.
Although the campaign and strategies against these authoritarian forces is secular, the underlying forces and enemy should be recognized and known. Only then is decisive action possible. Failure to do so will result in defeat. Again, focusing on what you said above is the key to a successful campaign against these bozos.