Spring Break
Speakers discuss relationship between religion, terrorism
Abstract:
Hasan Arslan spends most of the hours in his day monitoring terrorist groups and activity....
- Displaying 1 - 9 of 9
Andrew
posted 2/20/08 @ 1:24 PM CST
Yeah, "one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter." Yet they all just happen to be Muslim. Since 9/11 there have been over 10,000 separate terrorist attacks - all by Muslims.
I live in the Middle East. To say there is no religious connection is absolute poppycock, especially coming from a guy named Hassan. All need one do is read the Quran.
Studies have shown that terrorism has very little connection with poverty. In fact, case in point, Lebanon. Hezbollah terrorists are on average much more educated than the average Lebanese citizen. They typically have some college and a higher than average income.
People don't blow themselves up because they are poor. If they did we'd see the same thing from every other culture. I don't see suicide bombers in Harlem. Get real.
While living here in the Middle East some of the absolute most fanatical people I've come across are westerners that have converted to Islam. It is my personal experience that the most "faithful" Muslims are always more militant. Gee, why is that?
I live in the Middle East. To say there is no religious connection is absolute poppycock, especially coming from a guy named Hassan. All need one do is read the Quran.
Studies have shown that terrorism has very little connection with poverty. In fact, case in point, Lebanon. Hezbollah terrorists are on average much more educated than the average Lebanese citizen. They typically have some college and a higher than average income.
People don't blow themselves up because they are poor. If they did we'd see the same thing from every other culture. I don't see suicide bombers in Harlem. Get real.
While living here in the Middle East some of the absolute most fanatical people I've come across are westerners that have converted to Islam. It is my personal experience that the most "faithful" Muslims are always more militant. Gee, why is that?
Kelley Reaves
posted 2/20/08 @ 6:45 PM CST
Originally posted byAndrew
Yeah, "one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter." Yet they all just happen to be Muslim. Since 9/11 there have been over 10,000 separate terrorist attacks - all by Muslims.
I live in the Middle East. To say there is no religious connection is absolute poppycock, especially coming from a guy named Hassan. All need one do is read the Quran.
Studies have shown that terrorism has very little connection with poverty. In fact, case in point, Lebanon. Hezbollah terrorists are on average much more educated than the average Lebanese citizen. They typically have some college and a higher than average income.
People don't blow themselves up because they are poor. If they did we'd see the same thing from every other culture. I don't see suicide bombers in Harlem. Get real.
While living here in the Middle East some of the absolute most fanatical people I've come across are westerners that have converted to Islam. It is my personal experience that the most "faithful" Muslims are always more militant. Gee, why is that?
Attacking the name of someone is not an argument for them being wrong. It should not matter to you if his name was Fred, or Hassan. It is always true that converts are more zealous than people born to a religion, if they were not, they would likely not have converted. Why are you ignoring the history of this kind of warfare, it has been practiced for a very long time and really only recently by muslims. Are you seriously saying that in Harlem there is not an issue with violence? For that matter, any poor area has its issues with violence, but terrorism is a military tactic that unfortunately works quite well against us, that is why the people we have spent the last 20 years harassing are using it against us now. The real irony is we taught them how to use it. Also, which studies is it you are quoting to back up your argument? As to reading the Quran and finding something promoting terrorism, I think you are mistaken and perhaps you should look again.
On a side note, since it amuses me to correct your argument for you; the phrase is "all one need do," and declaring something is a fact and then using a special case to argue it is also a flawed method of logical argument.
another reader
posted 3/16/08 @ 12:57 PM CST
Originally posted byAndrew
Yeah, "one person's terrorist is another person's freedom fighter." Yet they all just happen to be Muslim. Since 9/11 there have been over 10,000 separate terrorist attacks - all by Muslims.
I live in the Middle East. To say there is no religious connection is absolute poppycock, especially coming from a guy named Hassan. All need one do is read the Quran.
Studies have shown that terrorism has very little connection with poverty. In fact, case in point, Lebanon. Hezbollah terrorists are on average much more educated than the average Lebanese citizen. They typically have some college and a higher than average income.
People don't blow themselves up because they are poor. If they did we'd see the same thing from every other culture. I don't see suicide bombers in Harlem. Get real.
While living here in the Middle East some of the absolute most fanatical people I've come across are westerners that have converted to Islam. It is my personal experience that the most "faithful" Muslims are always more militant. Gee, why is that?
Hezbollah are not terrorists, they are freedom fighters. If you look into it you will actually find out that they do alot for their community, they are interested in the well being of their community, they are fighting to be free.
One main reason why people in the Middle East and other such areas resort to terrorism is because it is an immediate attention grabber. The majority of the time there is no other way of having a voice or opinion heard, so to get attention fast is to resort to terrorism. This is not justificaiton for the horror it causes, but it's a deep psychological understanding as to the origins of their actions.
David - Class of 1977
posted 2/20/08 @ 6:23 PM CST
I want to believe that the Muslim religion - a means to come to know God and grow closer to Him - is being hijacked by radical terrorists. I therefore feel sorry for the good people who practice the Muslim faith who must feel hurt and embarrassed every time a Muslim brings terror or violence to others. That's how I feel when a Christian does harm or brings terror to other humans. I'm Christian. What brings me peace of mind and soul is when Christians in church leadership positions denounce acts of such violence and make it clear to all that those who bring such terror and violence are not acting on behalf of the church or God. I look forward to the day when the Muslim church is led by people who feel strongly that terror is not looked favorable on by God and they preach that message to the young...the old...the outsider...the insider...in public....in provate.....and in front of the media. In the meantime, we should do all we can to remove terrorists from our societies and encourage the Muslim leadership to speak out about the way God calls us to live in peace and harmony with our fellow man. Another sad thing I see today is the new breed of angry people becoming Muslim so that they can find some fellowship in their ranks of bringing terror and violence. How awful that must be for the peaceful Muslims. God is not hateful. He wants us to live in peace.
another reader
posted 3/16/08 @ 12:51 PM CST
"one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter"
a quote we've heard coutnless times. there's a huge difference. a terrorist is fighting for their own personal goals and gains, a freedom fighter is fighting for the liberation of his or her country over an occupying force.
to make a comment about the coincidence that the terrorist attacks you've decided to remember about have all been committed by Muslims is very wrong. There is a difference between religious terrorism and terrorism that has been committed by a person conforming to a religion. difference = motive. you forget that the attacks made by Israel on Palestine were made by the Israli government, who are Jewish. The attacks made by the IRA were made by Protestants...I can continue, but no, not all terrorists are Muslim, so we need not speak any further.
a quote we've heard coutnless times. there's a huge difference. a terrorist is fighting for their own personal goals and gains, a freedom fighter is fighting for the liberation of his or her country over an occupying force.
to make a comment about the coincidence that the terrorist attacks you've decided to remember about have all been committed by Muslims is very wrong. There is a difference between religious terrorism and terrorism that has been committed by a person conforming to a religion. difference = motive. you forget that the attacks made by Israel on Palestine were made by the Israli government, who are Jewish. The attacks made by the IRA were made by Protestants...I can continue, but no, not all terrorists are Muslim, so we need not speak any further.
Torrey Ognoskie
posted 3/16/08 @ 9:45 PM CST
"Are you seriously saying that in Harlem there is not an issue with violence?"
-This is not what he said. He said suicide bombings are not prevalent in Harlem. Of course there is violence in Harlem, but this artice is about the relationship between religion and terrorism. Crips and Bloods offing one another has very little to do with religion; while suicide bombings in the name of Allah are very much linked to religion. Burning down homes of Christian converts and sending mentally ill women into a mosque with bombs strapped to them are obviously religiously motivated. I acknowledge that killing for any reason is wrong, but the discussion is about what motivates the radical sect of the Muslim faith to do the things they do.
"As to reading the Quran and finding something promoting terrorism, I think you are mistaken and perhaps you should look again."
- I looked for him. Here you go.....
Sura (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority".
Sura (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Sura (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah"
Sura (25:52) - "Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur'an)."
Sura (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves"
That is honestly just the tip of the iceberg. I do realize that most Muslims do not live their lives like this. I don't have any qualms with the majority of their believers that are actually very peaceful and humane people. The problem is that there exists a certain element in their faith that actually believes the garbage I posted above. That is where the problem lies.
"On a side note, since it amuses me to correct your argument for you; the phrase is "all one need do," and declaring something is a fact and then using a special case to argue it is also a flawed method of logical argument."
-It is also equally as flawed to say "I think you are mistaken" and "perhaps you should look again" when you yourself have no factual evidence to the contrary.
Torrey Ognoskie
Class of 2008
-This is not what he said. He said suicide bombings are not prevalent in Harlem. Of course there is violence in Harlem, but this artice is about the relationship between religion and terrorism. Crips and Bloods offing one another has very little to do with religion; while suicide bombings in the name of Allah are very much linked to religion. Burning down homes of Christian converts and sending mentally ill women into a mosque with bombs strapped to them are obviously religiously motivated. I acknowledge that killing for any reason is wrong, but the discussion is about what motivates the radical sect of the Muslim faith to do the things they do.
"As to reading the Quran and finding something promoting terrorism, I think you are mistaken and perhaps you should look again."
- I looked for him. Here you go.....
Sura (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority".
Sura (8:12) - "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them"
Sura (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah"
Sura (25:52) - "Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness, with the (Qur'an)."
Sura (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves"
That is honestly just the tip of the iceberg. I do realize that most Muslims do not live their lives like this. I don't have any qualms with the majority of their believers that are actually very peaceful and humane people. The problem is that there exists a certain element in their faith that actually believes the garbage I posted above. That is where the problem lies.
"On a side note, since it amuses me to correct your argument for you; the phrase is "all one need do," and declaring something is a fact and then using a special case to argue it is also a flawed method of logical argument."
-It is also equally as flawed to say "I think you are mistaken" and "perhaps you should look again" when you yourself have no factual evidence to the contrary.
Torrey Ognoskie
Class of 2008
Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
posted 3/02/09 @ 5:56 PM CST
Speaking of terrorism:
George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).
George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.
And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.
Many people know what Bush did.
And many people will know what Bush did--even to the end of the world.
Bush was absolute evil.
Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.
Bush is a psychological prisoner.
Bush has a lot to worry about.
Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.
In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.
Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
"GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY" BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
______________________
I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: "If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memory so it never got stale and faded." Oh wait--off of the top of my head--I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.
George W. Bush committed hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism (indicated in my blog).
George W. Bush did in fact commit innumerable hate crimes.
And I do solemnly swear by Almighty God that George W. Bush committed other hate crimes of epic proportions and with the stench of terrorism which I am not at liberty to mention.
Many people know what Bush did.
And many people will know what Bush did--even to the end of the world.
Bush was absolute evil.
Bush is now like a fugitive from justice.
Bush is a psychological prisoner.
Bush has a lot to worry about.
Bush can technically be prosecuted for hate crimes at any time.
In any case, Bush will go down in history in infamy.
Submitted by Andrew Yu-Jen Wang
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
"GEORGE W. BUSH IS THE WORST PRESIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY" BLOG OF ANDREW YU-JEN WANG
______________________
I am not sure where I had read it before, but anyway, it is a linguistically excellent statement, and it goes kind of like this: "If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memory so it never got stale and faded." Oh wait--off of the top of my head--I think the quotation came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.
Preston Wiginton
posted 3/04/09 @ 8:10 PM CST
Take a long look at the world. Look where there is violence. Only in nations that practice circumcision is there neighbor fighting neighbor. Then ask who brought circuimcision to the world? The judaic traditions all the way through Islam.
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Anonymous
posted 2/20/08 @ 11:59 AM CST
This kind of relativism, the refusal to recognize that good and evil exist is immoral.