Christus Rex stood beneath a mural of the Woman and the Beast from Book of Revelation, the 17th chapter open in his hand.
“Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots…”
The vision given to John of Patmos warns of a civilization drunk on excess — intoxicated not only by wine, but by power, lust, and commerce.”
Across from him sat Imam Shabbaz, fingers resting on a worn copy of the Qur’an.
Christus Rex continued:
“There is a quote often repeated: ‘If you want to destroy any nation without war, make adultery or nudity common in the young generation.’ Whether or not it is authentically traced to a specific scholar, the idea echoes Revelation 17 — moral collapse preceding political collapse.”
Imam Shabbaz nodded thoughtfully.
“In Islam,” he said, “modesty is not repression but protection. The Qur’an calls believers to lower their gaze and guard their modesty. When desire becomes industry, and industry becomes identity, society weakens. Not because the body is evil — but because appetite becomes king.”
Christus Rex turned the page.
“Revelation’s Babylon isn’t merely a city. Many theologians argue it represents a corrupt world system — materialistic, exploitative, seductive. Some Christians throughout history have labeled various empires ‘Babylon’ — Rome, later powers, even modern consumer culture.”
Imam Shabbaz replied:
“And yet we must be careful. Moral critique must begin with the self. It is easy to call a nation ‘Babylon.’ Harder to ask: Where is Babylon in my own heart?”
Christus Rex closed the book.
“America’s vast pornography industry is often cited by critics as a sign of cultural excess. But Revelation is not merely about sexuality. It is about idolatry — worship of wealth, domination, spectacle. The woman rides the beast of empire.”
Imam Shabbaz leaned forward.
“Then the solution is not condemnation alone. It is repentance, discipline, community, and mercy. A civilization falls when it loses restraint — but it rises when it rediscovers purpose.”
Christus Rex gave a solemn nod.
“Babylon falls in Revelation not by human outrage, but because corruption consumes itself. The warning is spiritual before it is political.”
They sat in silence — not as enemies of a nation, but as men reflecting on how civilizations endure or decay.