[MikeD]

Previously, I've seen very little press coverage of Muslim groups and communities condemning terrorist attacks. But the news is all over the condemnations of the Xmas day attempt.

Whether this is press filtering of previous events, or if there's actually a greater reaction to this one, I dunno.

Opinions? Is this good, or does it not matter at all? Can isolating extremism from the mainstream help prevent its growth? Considering that most extremists consider mainstream Islam to be apostasy, it's possible this is a moot point, but I tend to think that this works against the worst elements.

MD

 

[Pesqueeb]

Can isolating extremism from the mainstream help prevent its growth? Considering that most extremists consider mainstream Islam to be apostasy, it's possible this is a moot point, but I tend to think that this works against the worst elements.

MD

I disagree. Your typical radical religious kook is usually that way because they already feel disenfranchised in some way, usually socially or economically which leads to the extremist view because in their mind the extreme view provides some sort of purpose or reason for things being the way they are. Nietzsche thought Christianity was dangerous because it provided the “down trodden” with an excuse to not raise up/better themselves because their "treasure awaits them in heaven" and I suspect your typical Muslim extremest falls into the same catagorey, hence the reason so many are in such a hurry to blow themselves up. Any nut job who already thinks he has all the answers and that every one else is an apostate isn't going to change his mind because the apostates condemn him, it just confirms his/her moral belief that they have the high ground.

 

[sanjuro]

I disagree. Your typical radical religious kook is usually that way because they already feel disenfranchised in some way, usually socially or economically which leads to the extremist view because in their mind the extreme view provides some sort of purpose or reason for things being the way they are.

How does that explain Rick Warren and his Church of The O.C.?

 

[MikeD]

There are plenty of middle-and-upper-class Muslims being recruited into the ranks of the extremists...

I don't think someone who is already gone is the point; it's a matter of those who aren't yet. Those who blow themselves up do because they're at least reasonably certain in authority figure who told them they'd go to heaven afterward. People that certain in authority might benefit from being told early on that, in fact, that's not a morally or religiously sound idea...

Nothing's certain, but in general, I think it's a good thing.

 

[Pesqueeb]

How does that explain Rick Warren and his Church of The O.C.?

I'm not defending that dumbass, but you've spent too much time in San Fran. Here in the Springs hes considered a centerist. There are people in this town I firmly belive are only half a step away from becoming "Christian" suicide bombers.

There are plenty of middle-and-upper-class Muslims being recruited into the ranks of the extremists...

I don't think someone who is already gone is the point; it's a matter of those who aren't yet. Those who blow themselves up do because they're at least reasonably certain in authority figure who told them they'd go to heaven afterward. People that certain in authority might benefit from being told early on that, in fact, that's not a morally or religiously sound idea...

Nothing's certain, but in general, I think it's a good thing.

Perhaps. You make a point that someone whos got a decent life up bringing might have a good long second look at what they belive when it comes to an extremist view. But lets face it, in how many majority Muslim countries are the vast population middle class/affluent/well educated? The greatest expanse of the population is going to be underfed/illetrate/sytemically poor and therefore the perfect population for extremist views. So what if a main stream Muslim organization condemes the views of these people? Their never even going to know about it.

 

[Silver]

Doesn't matter at all. Like Christian condemnation of the Tiller murder, it's done with a wink and the knowledge that the act is merely a logical extension of their belief system.

Frankly, I'm amazed that there aren't more religious fanatics. I think it comes down to more people believing in belief than actually believing. Once you accept a crazy first premise, it's all downhill from there.

 

[Pesqueeb]

Once you accept a crazy first premise, it's all downhill from there.

 

[JohnE]

Getting Jane and Jon Muslim to turn away from the terrorist helps take away sanctuary. Take away the sanctuary, and you deprive the terrorist of one form of support. Once one form of support erodes away, the rest will follow. Matters not what type of terrorist they are. Criminal, crusader or crazy, they all need support.

I believe BGen MacCrystal spoke of this in his recent after action report...let me look around at work tommorow.

 

[kidwoo]

Take away the sanctuary, and you deprive the terrorist of one form of support. Once one form of support erodes away, the rest will follow. Matters not what type of terrorist they are. Criminal, crusader or crazy, they all need support.

I agree.

Close every ****ing church in this country.