THE OTHER 9-11S

We are all aware of what happened on 09-11-2001 due primarily to religious extremism; but how many of us know that there were two other incidents of massacres related to 09-11 due to religious fanaticism. The two incidents in question are:

I. The massacre at Drogheda:

This occurred on September 11, 1649 at Drogheda in eastern Ireland. After killing his King earlier that year, Oliver Cromwell, leader of the English Roundheads or Parliamentarian forces decided to bring his army to crush the Catholic Irish who had sided with the King. At the town of Drogheda his name would go down in Irish History in infamy. Cromwell issued an order that all with weapons within the town were to be slaughtered. After being given promises of their lives from junior officers, in a breach of military protocol of the day, Cromwell ordered the execution of the soldiers in cold blood. In total 3,000 soldiers were massacred even those who surrendered or sought refuge in churches (which were burned with the refugees inside) The exact civilian casualty figures are unknown however Cromwell boasted that it was "many". Contemporary accounts claim mass killing of women and children. Cromwell was a religious fanatic. One historian likened his regime to a Christian Taliban. Cromwell described his slaughter in the following terms "I am persuaded that this is a righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches,...". He credits God with "this happy success" and states "therefore it is good that God alone have all the glory". Amongst the victims of this massacre was the Irish/Royalist commander who was beaten to death with his wooden leg.

Cromwell would later repeat this mission from God at Wexford one month later. Cromwell became a theocratic dictator. The celebration of Chrismas was banned as being un-christian. This was enforced by soldiers searching homes on the holiday. Theatres were closed. Public whipping and the stocks were favorite punishments for moral offenses. All games and sports were banned on Sundays as was housework. Even the olnly walks allowed were to and from your parish church for a three to four hour service. Neighbors were encouraged to turn in each other and get a share of the fine. Christian Taliban sums it up quite good.

II. The Mountain Meadows Massacre:

This massacre occurred on September 11, 1857 in Utah. This was a massacre of United States Citizens (the Fancher Party) who were emigrating to California. They were massacred by those wacko Mormons. The Mormons at first enlisted some Indian allies and attacked the settlers which resulted in a siege. Thereafter the Mormons induced a "truce" wherein the settlers gave them their weapons and were to be escorted to safety. Shortly after this the Mormons and their few Indian allies slaughtered nearly all of the settlers including babies in their mother's arms. In total about 120 were massacred and only 18 children under 8 years old were spared. They were given to Mormon families to adopt. The settlers' property was auctioned off at the Mormon Cedar City tithing office. This incident nearly pushed the US into a war with the Mormons as tensions had been escalating prior to this. The Local Mormon church leaders weredefinitely involved, however it is unclear whether the leadership in Salt Lake City ordered the massacre or not. What is clear is that the Mormon church and Brigham Young attempted to cover up church involvement. It is also clear that the church and Young had stirred up religious bigotry against non-Mormons before and after the massacre. After the massacre, Young stated in public forums that God had taken vengeance on the Fancher party. Given the problems of the Civil War and the lack of cooperation by the Mormon church authorities it wasn't until 1877 that a perpetrator was brought to justice John D. Lee who was a Mormon leader at the time of the massacre. Lee claimed to be a scapegoat for others involved and I think it likely.

Beware Religious fanaticism, my friends, it is dangerous.