I second Dan’s comment, the shading at the bottom of the second photo really does set the stage nicely, and the contrast between between the two photographs sets them off superbly.

Yes, it does appear that we missing the most essential part of our being, and as a natural consequence, dying a slow death; though I don’t expect many on the left to see it, not until the knife blade is at their throats. The funniest aspect of this argument, is that those of us who do believe, willingly concede, that that belief is just that a belief, a belief one is free to follow or not; but the average leftist atheist, is convinced of his absolute right in his own belief, and consequently, the right to destroy everyone else’s belief. Funnily enough, the very action he accuses religious people of, though all I have seen of most religious people is a desire to spread their message, nothing more, take it or leave it; Never had some religious nutter come banging on my door, demanding I go attend church…NOW. No the strident, intolerant voices all come from the the church of social justice, the most holy idol of our age.

I also like how you hit the themes of “Dhimmitude” - especially as it relates to Western Europe, and in the quoted article, it mentions:

My proposal is that Europe is experiencing a crisis of cultural and civilizational morale whose roots are also taking hold in some parts quarters of American society and culture.

Thank Heavens we have some good voices here who’re sounding the alarms! Keep up the Great Work!