OT OT
IMO, we must recognize that the fundamental motivation behind this current terrorism is neither economic or political --- it is religious extremism and therefore much more dangerous. On any number of occasions there were references to killing the infidels. Many priests and ministers have been killed, and recently there were churches burned by Nigerian Muslems. The very term "jihad" refers to a religious war, and the conviction that dying for Allah is rewarded by eternal bliss is also religious. In religious conflicts, unlike political or economic conflict, there is little middle ground. In addition, the conviction of righteous and holy duty of the extremists allows for the slaughter of innocent infidels. Because we live in a remarkably pluralistic and successful society in the USA, religious wars seem unthinkable, alien and stupid. However, Islam has always been ambivalent about killing and conversion by conquest. Mohammed himself was involved in conversion by conquest, the Mogul invasion of India fits this pattern --and therefore there is still Hindu resentments, and currently the Sudan is involved in a religious war. Look at the standard repression that the Taliban and the Saudi's perpetrate on their own populations in the name of Allah.
Certainly, the mainstream of Islam rejects this notion, but the extremists are much larger than either Jewish extremists or Christian extremists. Indeed fully 25% of Palestinian UNIVERSITY STUDENTS believe the slaughter in the WTC was justified. Jerry Falwell did not wish anyone ill when he thought we had it coming.
I am aware of the crusades and certainly aware that many of the ultra-orthodox in Israel feel that God mandates the conquest of greater Israel. However, Jews don't try to convert anyone and Christianity, especially Catholicism, is much much more compassionate than it was during WW 2.
There is little room for dialogue to make us safe from these extremists. I concur with Bush's policies. In addition, Jordan ended terrorism by using terrorist tactics. They arrested the leader's mothers and threatened to kill and torture them unless the terrorists cooperated. It worked. I don't want to know whether we do this, but, to me, our first responsibility is to protect our innocent and we can defend civil rights later.
fred |
