I grew up with the threat of the Four Minute Warning hanging over my head. At my secondary school it was seriously discussed that we should get under our desks if the siren sounded. What good that would do in the event of a nuclear attack I do not know. Nowadays, terror takes other forms. It seems that heightened security alerts do much to improve the status of the current leader in the States – and after all, it is an election year.
More worryingly, the upset, panic, despair caused by the fear of further attacks are actually achieving a purpose in themselves. The terrorists are already achieving part of their perceived aim to destabilise western society. During the Cold War we grew up, fell in love, lived our lives as if none of the threat was real. That option is not open to us now. We can see evidence to prove it is real. What is it all going to do to the collective consciousness of human beings? I am a theologian (of sorts) and I claim to hold to the hope of eternity. So I shall keep hoping.