A Maru-no-uchi-side Entrance
Coin-Operated Lockers
Revolution and Religion are each the Sword with Two Edges
[Updated in Dec. 15, 2011]
It is very interesting that the Washington Monument (170-meters high) is actually an obelisk imitating those having been built in ancient Egypt.
But, more interestingly, real obelisks built in ancient Egypt were taken by Western powers to be set in their capitals, such as Rome, Paris, London, and even New York.
Not only Italy, France, and the U.K. but also America proudly exhibit Egyptian obelisks as a symbol of their power.
So, it is no wonder that they have a strong concern with Egypt. They envy 4700-year long history of Egypt.
Yet, I think there are no obelisks in Jerusalem and Israel.
CHAPTER I: The 18th Day's Revolution
As I referred to the Koran 17:71 on February 4, the showdown has come on the 18th day of the uprising in Cairo.
The Koran
The Children of Israel
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
[17.71] (Remember) the day when We will call every people with their Imam; then whoever is given his book in his right hand, these shall read their book; and they shall not be dealt with a whit unjustly.
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=429259
http://eereporter.blogspot.com/2011/02/son-thy-sins-be-forgiven-thee.html
That is why you are very right and maybe pious to check EEE-Reporter.
CHAPTER II: Samurais in Egypt in 1864
While the Suez Canal was under construction, the last samurai regime of Japan sent its envoy to France so as to negotiate diplomatic matters with France.
They failed in diplomacy, but on their way home the samurais visited Cairo to see the great pyramids and the Sphinx. The diplomacy corps sent by the Tokugawa shogun in Edo (Tokyo) thus took commemorative photos.
http://inforyoma.com/bakumatu/sisatudan.htm
So, this is the oldest picture that shows Japanese around Cairo.
CHAPTER III: Carthage, Egypt, & Palestine
The Romans defeated Carthage around 200 BC.
The Romans occupied Egypt around 30 BC.
The Romans made war around Jerusalem around AD 60.
So, the next decisive movement following today's Tunisia and Egypt must happen around Israel.
Yet, before a big incident happens in Gaza or the West Bank, Christ Jesus might be coming back again.
CHAPTER IV: Christianity for the Poor; Islam for the Rich?
This is a very difficult theme. But, we may be allowed to think in the following way by the God and Allah.
From the beginning, Christianity was intended to help the poor.
From the beginning, Islam was intended to help the rich.
Ironically, Christianity turned to be suitable mostly for poor people working in factories and plants after the Industrial Revolution.
Ironically, Islam turned to be suitable mostly for rich merchants before the Industrial Revolution.
In fact, along with history from the Age of Geographical Discovery to the Industrial Revolution, the relative strength of Islamic states got smaller in comparison with European/American Christian countries.
Christianity emerged among poor people who were forced to sell their labor to rich Romans in Rome or peripheral cities such as Jerusalem. It could be suitable to become a religion among poor workers who had to sell their labor to rich capitalists. The religion saved poor workers, but it also helped capitalists pursue their wealth as laborers did not perish under hard work since they were supported by Christianity, very ironically.
Islam emerged among rich merchants who were living in Mecca and other cities that were prosperous owing to intermediate trade between the Mediterranean region and India and other Asian regions. Around the 7th century, as the East Roman Empire was at war with Persians, the old commercial route passing through Baghdad could not be used by merchants. So, as Mecca on the Red Sea is situated on a roundabout in the south of the old main trade route between the West and the East, it came to enjoy great prosperity. Many Arab merchants became rich. And, one of them launched Islam. Accordingly, Islam was intended to save rich merchants from falling into the hell. To be saved, they have to help the poor, though as if this good deed were a secondary matter.
This might be one of the reasons why some Arab nations and Islamic states had a friendly tie with the Soviet Union. Islam is not suitable for being a religion for poor workers in factories selling their labor to capitalists. Poor Muslims opted for socialism and communism, derivatives from European Christianity and modern Judaism.
So, after the revolutionary movement in Tunisia and Egypt, Muslims have to develop and change Islam so that they will not need another Soviet Union.
The fate of Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi, old friends of the Soviet Union, are also symbolic.
In addition, as the financial sector has grown so much today in a post-industrial trend, some Islamic merchants have found a great opportunity to be rich as observed in Dubai. Yet, Dubai cannot be another Mecca where a new religion emerges to supersede Islam and save the rich Arab bankers and investors.
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If you give freedom through a revolution to people including very bad guys, the freedom would really work as a sword with two edges.
But if you give freedom and democracy through a revolution to people including very bad guys, the freedom and democracy might become a sword with two edges less dangerous.
Yet, in the Kingdom of God, even freedom and democracy would occupy lower positions as guiding principles.
It is so, since even very bad guys can find a way for their success and prosperity in freedom and democracy.
It is said that without freedom there is no love while love is the fundamental principle in religion.
That is why people in the world, including Judaists, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, etc., have been all excited by the recent news from Egypt.
Nonetheless, till improvement of situations in Gaza is confirmed, it might be a little earlier to celebrate Egyptians and Muslims in the world fully.
Rev 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
Rev 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;