America's "Jihad"

America's Struggle with "Jihadists," the "Far Left," the "Far Right," and other "Extremists"

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

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Category: Programs/Initiatives to Follow

Individual and collaborative efforts making a difference

#NeverAgain and #YesSheCan exposing more of our political federal and state-level “Swamps”

By Dan Sockle on March 1, 2018 • ( 4 Comments )

Now THIS gives me hope that our multi-level political SWAMP just might be shamed into constructive and meaningful bi-partisan legislation – and (potentially) even more changes that serve America, and Americans, first […]

We Are Our Own Worst Enemy – and We’d Better Wake Up Soon

By Dan Sockle on February 14, 2015 • ( 1 Comment )

Until our leaders and education system catch up, we need to have more community conversations about the challenges we face around the globe relative to how others perceive America and the Western […]

Available Now: “America’s Jihad” by Dan Sockle

A collection of 24 individual journeys from 9/11 to today; from a UNITED to a DIVIDED States of America, and a fractured world desperately looking for truth and accountability in religion and politics. Buy it today...

Deconstructing “Jihad”

To most Muslims, "Jihad" has three meanings, or levels: First, there is "Jihad e Akbar," or the "Greatest Jihad," which is the lifelong struggle with self to resist temptation and, essentially, to always "Do the Right Thing;" Second is "Jihad e Kabeer," which is to extend those values to family, neighbors and community, essentially live by "The Golden Rule;" Third, "Jihad e Asghar" is emphatically the last resort - to physically defend yourself/family/community is justified only to the extent of neutralizing the threat(s). In other words, there is no terrorism or "Holy War" version of "Jihad" among the genuinely moderate... Read On..

Intro to America’s “Jihad”

America’s Jihad is part of a Global struggle … Both individually and collectively, we are struggling over our values and the extent to which we are willing to engage our "world," however large or small that might be. This goes on throughout our lives. The "Jihad" dominating headlines today is our struggle to understand Islam vs. Islamism, or the religion vs. the radicalized ideology being exercised by extremists. Just as non-Muslims struggle to understand Islam, so do the majority of the approximately 1.6 billion Muslims around the globe. Read On...

Rules of Engagement

Be courteous and constructive – keep it civil.
Project respect if you want to be respected.
Bring your “A game” - which starts with an open mind.
Ask and probe without attacking.
Try first to find and focus on your shared values and common interests.
Challenge positions with the intent to achieve mutual understanding.
Avoid being “offended,” “annoyed,” or “aggrieved” as this impedes our ability to listen and learn.

None of the above requires “Political Correctness” – one of our greatest obstacles to problem-solving.