A decade ago during 9/11 in New York, the attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center was a symbolic attack on the U.S. economy. In fact, the economy did falter shortly thereafter. The terrorists involved were hoping to make a statement and achieved their goal. In Washington D.C., the attack upon the Pentagon was a symbolic attack against the U.S. military. The military wasted little time in retaliating.

        The other plane that crashed in Pennsylvania and a possible fifth plane that never took off were said to have the White House and the Capitol Building in their sights. I am still not sure where that information originated. It might have been mere speculation, or obvious speculation. If true, the mission of those planes was to attack the political symbols of our government.

         Throughout the history of mankind, there have only been four principle methods of rule, which are listed in order of use:

(1) Military Rule

(2) Religious Rule

(3) Political Rule

(4) Economic Rule

         It was somewhat curious during 9/11 that there were apparently no plans to attack some outer symbol of our religious life, the only one remaining from the preceding list. Then I thought, just what would that be? Is there any such thing as an American national symbol of religion?

         Enter the Washington National Cathedral.

         It was a long time in the making. The foundation stone was laid on September 29, 1907. The final finial was set in place on September 29, 1990. The exact 83-year period of construction can be no coincidence. What was started during the Theodore Roosevelt administration ended with that of George H. W. Bush. That’s a total of 16 presidents. The central tower of the cathedral is the tallest structure by sea level in the District of Columbia at 676 feet.

         On Tuesday, the country’s apparent national structural symbol of religion took a hit through purely natural means. Damage estimates are ongoing. [1]

         Coincidentally, another major symbol was also a casualty of the Virginia earthquake. The Washington Monument, 555 feet tall, suffered several structural cracks, especially to its upper pyramidion. The site has been closed indefinitely while damage estimates are assessed.

         In light of the fact that pretty much every American paying attention knows we have major problems in both our national government and religious life, the minor damage done in the quake to these two structures must at least be considered as beyond mere coincidence, and a possible wake-up call.

         In the meantime, the latest track estimates have Hurricane Irene heading directly for New York City, though the storm is expected to veer a tad to the east. America in general may continue disregarding and rejecting God, but God’s people are pleading for His involvement and mercy. A few fissures in our national monument and several fallen doodads off the national cathedral might seem minor at first glance. Do they represent national schism and crumbling traditional Christianity?

         Whatever the case, such coincidences sure seem to be piling up. And now Irene is here. Time for a showdown, Lieutenant Dan?

         © 2011 by RJ Dawson. All Rights Reserved.