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Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11: A Call to Reflection and Action

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"Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11" is David Ray Griffin's best book on 9/11. It should be read by every American citizen.

In Chapter 1, Griffin reviews the long history of U.S. government-sponsored "false flag" operations worldwide, in which the CIA and its subordinate allied agencies in NATO and foreign governments collaborated to create the appearance of "terrorism" by killing unnumbered innocent ordinary people. The shock of the mass murders allowed passage of draconian legislation and controlled the politics of countries of special concern to U.S. interests, especially in Europe. In other words, there is extensive historical evidence that 9/11 was only the largest-scale among many comparable secret operations by the U.S..

In Chapter 2, Griffin quotes from and summarizes the extensive testimony by firefighters and other first responders at the WTC on September 11 which proves beyond any doubt that multiple bomb explosions occurred throughout both towers both before and after the buildings were struck by flying objects. Some of this testimony he has culled from news reports, but the majority of the accounts comes from newly released oral histories collected by the FDNY but suppressed until last summer by the City of New York.

In Chapter 3 Griffin demonstrates conclusively that the two towers as well as WTC 7, a 47-story steel-framed building, were brought down by controlled demolition. He exhaustively catalogues the characteristic features of controlled demolitions which were all exemplified in the collapses of the WTC buildings.

In Chapter 4 Griffin presents a streamlined overview of the many lies and distortions put out by the 9/11 Commission to "explain away" the innumerable suspicions which have arisen with respect to the flights of the hijacked airliners and the lack of standard response to them (the standdown).

In Chapter 5 Griffin concludes Part I with a demonstration that the "prima facie" case for government complicity in the mass murders established in his first two 9/11 books has now become a "conclusive" case.

In Part II Griffin shifts from presentation of evidence about what happened on that black day to the broader questions raised. In Chapter 6 he establishes an array of "imperial motives" for the "New Pearl Harbor" of 9/11, showing that from the perspective of government planners the benefits to be gained made the risks of all sorts seem insignificant. Loss of life they have no concern for, as shown in Chapter 1, and the necessary changes in society that would ensue (exemplified by the PATRIOT Act) were desirable from the standpoint of the imperial planners.

In Chapter 7 he first shows how the U.S. Empire is remarkably similar to the Roman Empire of 2000 years ago in its sense of divine authorization, its overwhelming military power, its use of terror to intimidate, its use of puppet rulers in countries under its control, and its exaction of "tribute and taxation" from subordinate populations. He then shows that Jesus of Nazareth, the central historical personage for Christians to this day, was the founder of an "anti-imperial gospel" that called upon his compatriots to resist the oppression and idolatry of the Roman Empire.

In Chapter 8 Griffin brings his many decades of philosophical and theological work on the nature of evil to attempt an explanation of the magnitude of the evil we face. He presents a concept of the "demonic" as a social force which has risen to a level capable of thwarting "divine" intentions for the world. The chapter is profound and rewarding, illuminating deep issues that are difficult to penetrate.

In Chapter 9 Griffin demonstrates that the American Empire exemplifies the most highly developed demonic force in the world today, and that 9/11 can only be understood from this perspective.

Finally, in Chapter 10, Griffin addresses fellow Christians directly, asking what "the church" can do to resist today's "Roman Empire". He concludes with suggestions for how Christian churches could engage with the demonic power of the American Empire and fight back, as Jesus clearly exhorted them to do.

In summary, Griffin has written his most original and substantial book on 9/11 to date. The specifically Christian concerns and appeals do not make the book inappropriate for non-Christians in any significant way. The book should be read by everyone.

Certainly a unique book, this latest work by David Ray Griffin deserves a wider audience than it may possibly get. Despite evidently encompassing a majority of the American public, the 9/11 truth movement remains currently marginalised by the mainstream media. Griffin himself recently appeared on a religious-themed BBC chat show to discuss issues regarding 9/11, and had his words framed with shots of the official-story booster interviewer making `surely you can't be serious' faces throughout. There's a weird comedy involved in seeing the mainstream press attempt to paint Griffin as a kook, when even the vaguest cursory examination of factual events shows the official story to be composed of misdirection, bluster and distortion, and Griffin's work to be scrupulously thoughtful, well-researched and accurate.

Griffin's earlier THE 9/11 COMMISSION REPORT: OMISSIONS AND DISTORTIONS is a highly recommended volume as it methodically exposes the inarguable misdirection and elaborate stupidity of the official government-approved story in an easy-to-follow manner, right down to Griffin deconstructing the language used in the official report to show self-contained `blunders' or `errors' in the writing that seem deliberately placed there by the Commission Report authors to obscure weaknesses in the official story that couldn't be covered-up in any other way. (As I noted in my review of Griffin's earlier book, there are sections in the official Report that had me laughing at the gall of the Commission authors once I observed the sections that Griffin notes - read his book to see what I mean). Griffin's OMISSIONS AND DISTORTIONS volume convinced me of the pleasantly high quality of his writing, and made me receptive to following the arguments in this new book. I'm not currently that religious, so I was prepared to scratch my chin at some of the eventual theological material here, but I needn't have worried. The religious content in CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE TRUTH BEHIND 9/11 works as background to and support for Griffin's larger argument, which is mainly occupied with critiquing the role of imperialist regimes and nations. Amid a wide-ranging discussion, Griffin notes how 9/11 is just the latest tool used by cynical, corrupt elites to bludgeon the masses towards an unwelcome destination. To my mind, non-religious people can, if they like, view the presence of theological moments in this volume (all in themselves noticeably more interesting and thoughtful than anticipated - Griffin's critical thinking remains pleasantly intact) as a poetic method to deal with the ugly, black void of immeasurable cynicism and cruelty that doubtlessly swirls inside the hearts of thuggish troublemakers like Dick Cheney. (Note - I find it genuinely unfair that my sister's faithful, intelligent and affectionate blue-heeler dog died the other day, but Dick Cheney, who has suffered multiple heart attacks and who wields with Rumsfeld and a few others much of the burden of suspicion surrounding the deep, long-term planning of the 9/11 attacks, is still going strong as I write this. See pages 460-462 of Jim Marrs' excellent THE TERROR CONSPIRACY - also available on Amazon - for guest contributor Barbara Honegger's convincing naming-of-names to get a reasonable approximation of the whole honor roll of 9/11 conspirators likely present in and around the current US government).

All up, Griffin's latest remains a solid and important book about 9/11. CHRISTIAN FAITH AND THE TRUTH BEHIND 9/11 opens with an incredibly strong summary of documented European false-flag activity, covering Gladio, the Brabant massacres, and the Counter-Guerilla attacks in Turkey (where fascist troops, at the request of the Pentagon and CIA, attacked, raped and executed innocent Kurdish villagers). Griffin also slams the US Department of State's disgusting, non-committal, face-saving `rebuttal' of their own documented involvement in those atrocities, noting how the US Government is reduced to quoting Iran / Contra conspirator Michael Ledeen and a vague, 13 year old quote from Jonathan Kwitny in THE NATION, whilst those `rebuttals' are contradicted by statements made by ex-CIA deputy director Ray Cline, among others. I'm not surprised that the US Department of State is embarrassed by its own history here, and it's easy to see why elements of the US Government are viewed with suspicion and disgust in others countries, even prior to the thoroughly vile and cynical behaviour of the current Bush administration.

Griffin then continues with the best (lengthy, interview and transcript heavy) discussion of the collapse of the WTC buildings I've yet read in print. Firefighter William Reynolds swore at his battalion chief to evacuate the north tower as "..they blew up the other one." Another firefighter, Louie Cacchioli, walked out of the later hearings in disgust when the 9/11 Commission member's aggressive distortion and slanting of his words became obvious. (The Kean / Zelikow / Hamilton cover-up here shows its true colors again as a PR whitewash more interested in reassuring the public of the validity of the Bush administration's story than conducting anything resembling an actual investigation). Griffin's gentleman tendency towards restraint and understatement allows for a memorable phrase when he notes how much of the testimony of firefighters and key eyewitnesses is "..in strong tension with the official story".

The theological section of the book isn't too long, but strikes me as the work of a man attempting to come to grips with evidence of major deceit and corruption, and using everything in his arsenal to document and attack it. Griffin makes clever analogies between the behavior of earlier Christian writers and their struggles under Imperial Rome, noting how Rome itself used terrorist-style threats and acts of aggression when it suited. There's much to digest here, and I like how Griffin keeps largely away from the dreamy, semi-fictitious elements of religious thought and towards things backed up by historical documentation, even going so far as to place some early Christian writing in the light of the economic realities of the times. I learnt a number of things here that I didn't expect to, and find myself in the position where I'd be receptive to reading an entire book by Griffin on theology, just for the unexpectedly welcome mental workout. Griffin's theological comments branch out to include discussion of philosophy and politics. He's an excellent writer and I was impressed by the depth of his thinking here.

Griffin's closing chapters return to tackling the harsh realities of the NeoCons, the Project for a New American Century and the cynical imperialist ambitions of the Bush administration in a clear and perceptive manner. As with the rest of the book, Griffin makes reference to a wide range of useful political books and articles, including, for example, Naomi Klein and accomplished anti-nuclear campaigner Helen Caldicott. Griffin makes the point that a true `global democracy', rather than the mock façade of compassion and assistance used by Bush to mask an aggressive corporate agenda, is a likely necessity if we are to survive the various forthcoming environmental crises of the 21st century.

I've only touched on some of the valuable and thought-provoking material to be found in this volume. In just a short amount of time Griffin has moved high up into my list of personal favorite writers, and he maintains that level of quality here. I'd be happy if this book was embraced by religious and non-religious people alike, as I think it definitely warrants the attention of both. This is a book I look forward to reading again.

One in three Americans has serious doubts about the conspiracy theory offered by the U.S. government that 19 Arabs armed with box-cutters were responsible for the hijacking of four airplanes, and the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001.

A Scripps Howard poll found: "More than a third of the American public suspects that federal officials assisted in the 9/11 terrorist attacks or took no action to stop them so the United States could go to war in the Middle East".

Yet major news media refuse to investigate alternative hypotheses offered by dozens of independent researchers and groups. When they do report on them, they are dismissive of these hypotheses, but do not address the evidence offered.

Until last week, had I been asked where should one begin to examine the alternative hypotheses, and the vast amount of evidence available, I would have recommended "The 9/11 Commission Report: Omissions and Distortions" by David Ray Griffin, Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Theology.

Now I'm not so sure.

I have just finished reading a new book that claims, "9/11 was a 'false-flag' attack, orchestrated by forces within the U.S. government".

This attack was used, claims the author, "to launch the kind of 'clash of civilizations' that Samuel Huntington had predicted. As illustrated by the fact that all the countries on the Pentagon's hit list are predominantly Muslim, this war pits the predominantly Christian West (along with its ally Israel) against the Islamic world."

"One of the evils of this civilizational war," writes the author, "is that it has implanted in Western minds an association between 'Muslim' and 'terrorist,' so that Muslims tend to be regarded as guilty until proven innocent."

The author calls upon the church to reflect on the "truth of this thesis -- that 9/11 was a false-flag operation carried out by forces within our own government in order to advance the American empire." He urges them to reflect upon "the implication of this book's thesis" and suggests several courses of action.

For Muslim leaders, who are genuinely concerned about their community, and for all Americans, the truth about 9/11 may be the most important issue of our time.

So where should one begin to examine the alternative hypotheses, and the vast amount of evidence available?

Read "Christian Faith and the Truth Behind 9/11" by David Ray Griffin -- the book that Hugo Chavez should have held up during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on September 20, 2006.

I can't believe my own faith community's cowardice and rebelion against Jesus's teachings! It was the Presbyterian Press who published this work, yet those in that flock (here in Columbus, Ohio) don't know how to use thier faith to spark the work that God has shown needs to be done. Even those who claim to be workers for justice and peace rebel against this work. How can there be justice and peace without truth?

I can't live in a society where I must declare something that is obviously black as being white just because that is what everyone tells me it is...what kind of peace is that? The absence of war and conflict is not peace. A house of Peace can only be secured after we build her foundation on the rock of truth. Truth may be scary, but the lack of it is much more treacherous.

There is no room for fear in faith. Faith without action is like a scholar without a forum. What good is knowing the truth if we don't have the courage to get off our ever widening butts and do something about it? Christians, please don't think just because the truth is this bloody that you can just bury it. NO. Because this truth is so bloody, you have an obligation to expose it for what it is...a funeral for our friend, lady Liberty. You pay her no respect if you fail to bring up the truth to any audience you can. You allow more soldiers to die if we fail to spread the message of truth...the "good news" and the bad.

Giffin is right! "Religions of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your impotence!"

This is truly two books in one. Each half is vitally important to all Americans, but especially to those of us who wish to be identified as Christians.

Part I explores the question of how complicit members of the Bush administration were in the tragedy of 9/11. I would summarize the possible alternatives in this way: Option #1: Members of the Bush administration were directly complicit in the tragedy of 9/11. Option #2: Members of the Bush administration deliberately allowed the tragedy of 9/11 to happen. Option #3: Members of the Bush administration carelessly allowed the tragedy of 9/11 to happen. Option #4: Members of the Bush administration did everything humanly possible to prevent the tragedy of 9/11 from happening.

I really don't believe anyone in his or her right mind even remotely affirms option #4 any longer. Most of us probably started, five years ago, with option #3. The astonishing thing is that a majority of Americans now fall somewhere within the first two options.

Griffin solidly affirms option #1, and has written widely on this "New Pearl Harbor" and the "Omissions and Distortions" of the 9/11 Commission (two earlier books on the subject). In Part I he offers compelling evidence that 9/11 was an American "false flag" operation in which previously planted explosives allowed the THREE towers of the World Trade Center--including one building not even struck by the passenger jets!--to implode in the manner of controlled demolitions. The point is not necessarily that option #1 is absolutely true, though Griffin believes the logic he pursues clearly demonstrates that. The point is that this is a vital issue about which we Americans ought to be crying loudly to be examined by some subsequent commission of inquiry that will not simply gloss over or totally ignore discrepancies, inconsistencies in testimony, and unexamined facts.

However, I regard Part II to be the real blockbuster portion of this publication. There, Griffin patiently and with painstaking scholarship uncovers half a century of developments that have led to what is now nothing other than an American Empire seeking global domination and manifesting anything but benign tendencies. In fact, Griffin charges the present course of USA's geopolitical and economic decisions to be nothing less than demonic! I came away from that tutorial with the realization that everything he is saying there is true regardless of whether or not his readers agree with him on the underlying agents of 9/11.

So dig into this vitally important book and stay with it. If you're not into where he's taking you in Part !, read Part II by itself. It stands on its own. And it challenges the church in America to discover a way of being faithful that is not unlike the witness of the church of the first three centuries struggling to survive inside the equally demonic Roman Empire.

Since I have signed my name to this review, a disclosure is in order. I have known the author personally for over 40 years and consider him a good friend. He has challenged my complacency and troubled my conscience.

If you read New Pearl Harbor and wonder if this is worth your time...It is imho. Much more info and presented in a more concise way. Griffin has had the time since the first book to really congeal his view. A very important book in the crusade to make the real perpetrators (perpe-TRAITORS) be found out.

Once again David Ray Griffin has shown us the deceit of 911. The preposterous story of 12 (7 proven to be alive)amateurs is a farcical fairy tale that could only be pulled by the twisted neocon minds that have hijacked and put a stranglehold on this country. Americans need to go further than the sound bytes they are fed day after day and realize there is an incredible set of facts that have never been exposed by the mainstream media. A media that cowers under the pressure of misguided patriotism and homeland security. Just the story of the WTC and its estimated $5.6 bil cost of demolition in 1980 should have heads turning. The galvanic corrosion that doomed the facade of the towers, the gargantuan task of removing the asbestos and other toxic substances.And who benefitted?, many. Insurance payouts, political agendas, war profiteering, the re emergence of a flowering heroin trade, thousands of investigative files destroyed, that implicated many of the WTC's occupants. How can anyone believe that for one day a group of unproven amateurs outwitted the multi trillion dollar airforce, the most technologically advanced, in the most protected airspace on earth, for nearly two hours!!! And how can anyone believe that Gen Myers of the airforce and Ralph Eberhardt of NORAD could be promoted immediately thereafter, when their conduct was that of complete insubordination?!!! Obviously they did a good job for somebody, didn't they?

David Ray Griffin Makes a Powerful Case for Christians to Demand 9/11 Truth.

9/11 was a pinnacle point in human history, which has turned the world into a permenant war state pitting major religions against one another. Through David Griffin's earlier books, and other great books on the subject like "The War on Freedom," "Crossing the Rubicon," and "The New Pearl Harbor," we now know that we were lied to about 9/11. We now know that 9/11 was a false flag attack by people within our own govt., designed to "fool us all" into supporting wars for oil conquest.

In this book, David Ray Griffin returns to his Christian roots, and I believe speaks with a voice of authority that ALL Christians should resonate to. We, as Christians, cannot allow this lie of 9/11 to stand, and be true to our Christian faith.

The truth shall set us free, and David Ray Griffin has been a treasure to America and the world, for so succinctly and in plain language, articulating truths that should have been obvious to us all. Thank God, we have Mr. Griffin.

Every Christian in the world must read this book.

David Ray Griffin is a true patriot. That is why you havent heard of him in the corporate controlled media. In a just society, David Ray Griffin would be seen by everyone, not just people who seek out all information, as a brave, patriotic american.

This I think is the best single book on the subject of 9/11. Not only does it lucidly, succinctly, and fairly thoroughly lay out the case against the official version, but it also deals profoundly with the fundamental questions of how followers of Christ (and, I must say, others who are motivated by Christian morality) need to approach the issue of the truth about 9/11.