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

To: Stan who wrote (5684)	3/2/2007 10:27:35 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 20106

"Your point five extends from your assertion that extremists persecute innocent muslims. And that, in turn, provides justification for the radical Islamicists to act as they do. Actually it extends from something more basic than that. Extremist find it hard to explain their cause without justifying it via the extremism of their counter parts. Although it is possible for a Black racist to throw a fit about white people he usually uses the extremely unjust conduct of some white supremicist to justify his rant. The guy could brutalize some white people just because he is a crazy brute but I was referring to the justification they use for their actions against a particular group and it is only one element, of that and not even essential. I haven't seen a carpenter who wouldn't attempt to build a house without blue prints, nails etc. But I'm not suggesting a house is made of nails or blue paper or anything. And he could use screws with metal frames with no nails, for that matter. The point was that extremists are often used to feed each other's agenda. "Hence, my question: What persecution are extremists guilty of and at what level that necessitates beheadings, torturings, rapings and like behavior by Radical Islamicists? 'Extremist' is a general term that can be applied to any abusive or oppressive form of injustice just as it can be used to describe the specific behaviors you list. The fundamentally important need for belongingness trumps almost all other social drives. Identifying with and loyalty to group is what defines community. Loyalty to tribe, religion, race, national origin, extreme liberal chaos, extreme oppressive totalitarianism, dogma etc. can lead to a false sense of devotion to the banners of one group identity or another. People of normal intelligence often compromise reason and a principled conscience for fear of being diminished or outcast all together. It is this type of commitment to the some emblem of social order that tends toward corruption (extremism). The cost is a principled identity of self. Bullies who fear loss of status or power, new members, or those barely in touch as a community member, who are seeking validation are the most likely to lean furthest to extremes. In our recent generations we have seen a meshing and blending of cultures that will, in short order, define global community. What we lack in this generation is a locus of identity, defining globalized humanity, based on common principle. I find all extremism condemnable and never justified. I hope you didn't think I was saying it was ok to use other extremists as a justification. Did you? Because I did say it is a form of corruption to attempt to do that.