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Politics : The Truth About Islam -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Proud_Infidel who wrote (3490)	12/3/2006 12:08:33 PM
From: Stan	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20106

I put on Dune (the movie) a few days ago from the cable-on- demand feature because I had seen pieces of it in the past. However,I noticed, for the first time a clear reference to the war against the emperor by the protaganists' forces as "Jihad." That was surprising. The use of the expression took on a really current feel. I had always thought Herbert's use of language was experimental. I hadn't thought of it as an allegory since I had heard a lot about it when it came out in my teenage years. I never read it, though. So, suddenly, it did seem like he was being allegorical. His use of Middle Eastern motifs: the language, the deserts reminiscent of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and all oil producing countries, and finally, an evil emperor. Did Herbert mean the USA in that role; who are defeated at the hands of the nomadic 'Fremen' (freedom fighters) who are heroes in the story? So many Sci-Fi and fantasy movies are allegories really: Stories that use unusual or bizarre settings and characters in order to present some truth in a striking way. For example, the Invasion of the Body Snatchers is an anti-communist cautionary tale. Yet, a lot of writers do not intend to make the points the readers derive. Tolkein comes to mind in that regard, for although many thought he was making a statement about the dangers of the atomic bomb (the deadly ring), nothing was farther from his mind. Whether Herbert meant to be an apologist for Islam or had anti-American views in mind, I don't know. I hope not, because Herbert, an American, made most of his money from American readers and audiences. Yet, I am sure he found sympathetic and appreciative fans among Muslims with his epic.