Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elsewhere who wrote (4710)	10/13/2001 10:50:17 AM
From: FaultLine	Respond to of 281500

This Is a Religious War ...and another source is: andrewsullivan.com

To: Elsewhere who wrote (4710)	10/13/2001 7:54:20 PM
From: CountofMoneyCristo	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 281500

An amazing piece, that. There are some grave flaws in some of its reasoning, however. I would like to address two closely related points, in reverse chronological order to that in which these passages appeared in the article: What is really at issue here is the simple but immensely difficult principle of the separation of politics and religion. We are fighting not for our country as such or for our flag. We are fighting for the universal principles of our Constitution -- and the possibility of free religious faith it guarantees. We are fighting for religion against one of the deepest strains in religion there is. And not only our lives but our souls are at stake. I agree completely: this war in large part, when victory has been achieved, will serve as a warning to nations around the world that Church and State must forevermore be kept separate. Religious leaders should be discouraged from seeking political office. Their job is to watch over souls, the future, that which is not seen on this earth. The task of leaders of State is to watch over and guide that which is seen, the here and now and the future here on earth only. The two must not be brought together or confused. If you believe that there is an eternal afterlife and that endless indescribable torture awaits those who disobey God's law, then it requires no huge stretch of imagination to make sure that you not only conform to each diktat but that you also encourage and, if necessary, coerce others to do the same. The logic behind this is impeccable. Sin begets sin. The sin of others can corrupt you as well. The only solution is to construct a world in which such sin is outlawed and punished and constantly purged -- by force if necessary. It is not crazy to act this way if you believe these things strongly enough. In some ways, it's crazier to believe these things and not act this way. This logic is not impeccable at all. The reason for this is amazingly simple: both the Koran and the Bible were written by MAN, NOT by God. Therefore, they are by definition no more than a guide and a history, and certainly quite imperfect. A fundamentalist by definition must believe that man can act as perfectly as God. This is incredible arrogance, and why many fundamentalist take the view that they must absolutely force all others to follow their path, with violence if necessary. "Sin begets sin." As I recall, Jesus surrounded himself with sinners, as did many of the great prophets. Yet, because he was God's anointed son, he remained pure. ANYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT THEY ARE SOMEHOW REQUIRED OR OBLIGATED BY THEIR RELIGIOUS FAITH TO FORCE THROUGH VIOLENT MEANS THEIR BELIEFS OR VISION UPON THEIR FELLOW MAN BY DEFINITION MUST THEN BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE, IN FACT, GOD THEMSELVES, AND PERFECT, AS NO ONE OTHER THAN GOD COULD POSSIBLY FAIRLY AND JUSTLY MAKE THIS DECISION OVER EVEN ONE'S OWN SOUL, LET ALONE THAT OF ANY OTHER MAN. EOM.