off topic The politics of terrorism

[LastPommerFan]

Despite thinking Sizzle's post was great, I agree with this. There is absolutely people who are sick of God(s), but they're mainly sick of the misapplication of Their teachings and the use of them as a means of hatred. Not the appropriate application of God(s) and their teachings.

 

I disagree, God and Religion are consistently ridiculed by a sizable and loud segment of the population and pop culture. I find that in discussions about religion I find my self splitting my time arguing with orthodox conservatives and militant atheists. I feel my moderate position is far more respected by the Orthodox Hardliners.

[SwampD]

I disagree, God and Religion are consistently ridiculed by a sizable and loud segment of the population and pop culture. I find that in discussions about religion I find my self splitting my time arguing with orthodox conservatives and militant atheists. I feel my moderate position is far more respected by the Orthodox Hardliners.

It's interesting, though, that it is rarely a militant atheist doing bad things with and automatic weapon.

[LastPommerFan]

It's interesting, though, that it is rarely a militant atheist doing bad things with and automatic weapon.

 

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/chapel-hill-shooting-white-male-atheist-murders-three-muslim-students

 

http://nypost.com/2015/10/01/oregon-gunman-singled-out-christians-during-rampage/

that's 2 this year.

[Neo]

It's interesting, though, that it is rarely a militant atheist doing bad things with and automatic weapon.

Wait, wait, we're not supposed to link weapons and religion! Challenge flag! Not every believer is a murderer! You can't generalize. It's a small portion!

 

Oops, sorry. On review, you never said any of that when making your connection. My mistake.

 

Kidding, of course. I certainly agree that religion, a belief, is the root of more violence than atheism.

 

I also agree with Whiskey. My Christianity is more likely to illicit a condescending sneer from Atheists. Certainly not always, before someone points that put. Raptor Jesus, anyone?

 

I'm a believer. There's nothing exceptional about my belief. The exceptionally devout don't ridicule me.

[Neo]

The Qur'an when you are ready.

 

Karen Armstrong is very good. Google her ... she has written The History of God and 2 sensational biographies on Muhammad (PBUH).

 

If interested, PM me and I will relay my understanding to you.

I get around to things slowly, but I'm going to find Armstrong. I was hoping you'd reply.

 

I also want the Qur'an. If you know of one that's annotated for a newbie, I'd be grateful. Amazon has hundreds.

 

Let me ask. Your first words were "the Qur'an." Is there a link between that first response and the belief that the Qur'an is the unadulterated word of God? In other words, is that always the best answer?

 

You may recall President Obama calling the Muslim call to prayer one of the prettiest sounds on earth. I've youtubed it. It is beautiful.

 

Grateful to you and XB.

If this turns out to be a domestically grown, radicalized Muslim terrorist attack, I think one thing that will come of it is, it will change the discussion re: gun control.  I see the conversation evolving just like it did regarding security post 9/11 and the resulting Patriot Act.  

 

I'm not yet sure this will be a good thing.

 

It won't be. The first go around wasn't, either.

Edited December 4, 2015 by N'eo

[Weave]

It won't be. The first go around wasn't, either.

 

The first round turned into a disgusting, ineffective mess, hence my lack of faith in this go around.

[K-9]

The first round turned into a disgusting, ineffective mess, hence my lack of faith in this go around.

The first turned into the money grab of all money grabs; the Mother of All Money Grabs. 

 

Big, fat-cat multi-nationals suckling at the government tit to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars. All in the name of the "Homeland" (sorry, too much like "fatherland" for my liking) and "security." Disgusting. 

 

End rant. 

[Neo]

The first round turned into a disgusting, ineffective mess, hence my lack of faith in this go around.

I hope I was clear. I agree with you completely.

Word quiz ... Who does or doesn't think Isis is an existential threat?

 

Thought of the day .... IF this is terror, we are on the cusp of a dramatically changed lifestyle. When targets go soft, metal detectors and no-fly lists aren't helpful. Behavior and the access to quiet enjoyment in life changes. Israel profiles everywhere.

 

Word quiz, two .... Does profiling enter your thoughts, whether with dread or glee?

[JJFIVEOH]

This could get interesting.......

[Weave]

I hope I was clear. I agree with you completely.

Word quiz ... Who does or doesn't think Isis is an existential threat?

 

Thought of the day .... IF this is terror, we are on the cusp of a dramatically changed lifestyle. When targets go soft, metal detectors and no-fly lists aren't helpful. Behavior and the access to quiet enjoyment in life changes. Israel profiles everywhere.

 

Word quiz, two .... Does profiling enter your thoughts, whether with dread or glee?

 

I knew you agreed.  I was expanding upon the thought.

[JJFIVEOH]

Gun laws cannot prevent criminals from getting guns any more than drug laws can prevent people from procuring narcotics. The more such Utopian goals are pursued through government’s police power, the less free we become............

[darksabre]

Gun laws cannot prevent criminals from getting guns any more than drug laws can prevent people from procuring narcotics. The more such Utopian goals are pursued through government’s police power, the less free we become............

Let's not have laws then.  

[bunomatic]

They'll keep chipping away at our freedoms because they've found a way that works. Create fear and in the ensuing panic enact more laws that take away rights and freedoms. The sheeple will run to the gov't for protection as the gov't looks to herd us into a smaller corner. Between attacks that shake us to our boots they'll keep us occupied with the Kardashians or American idol. Today Britain started dropping bombs on Syria. Is there anything left to actually bomb in Syria ? WW III anyone ?

[darksabre]

I like how "laws" are the bogeyman now. Man, I hate that the people we elect create legislation. 

Don't like the laws the government is implementing? Stop voting bad lawmakers into office. 

[bunomatic]

okay dokey. Before Harper was booted out of office here in Canadeh he pushed through something called bill c51. Its pages long but one of the new powers he's given to the police is the ability to come into your house without a warrant. France just gave their police the same powers among other things a day after the Paris attack. In Canada if you protest on a streetcorner against ...mmmm maybe an oil corporation for environmental concerns you can be labelled a terrorist and thrown in jail without legal council indefinately. They make no distinction between eco terrorist or plain old terrorist with jihadist beliefs. Thats another beaut from bill c51. Among many more too varied to list. This isn't about just laws. This is about pushing through draconian tyrannical laws that chip away at basic human rights and freedoms in the name of security and every country is doing it. My opinion mind you but its hard to deny where its all leading.   

[Neo]

One of my favorite scenes in the Godfather trilogy is Kay, telling Michael, how naive he is. Michael stops, looks at her, and asks "Who's being naive, Kay?".

Edited December 4, 2015 by N'eo

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

One of my favorite scenes in the Godfather trilogy is Kay, telling Michael, how naive he is. Michael stops, looks at her, and asks "Who's being naive, Kay?".

It really is precious. I almost made that my signature on this website.

[darksabre]

okay dokey. Before Harper was booted out of office here in Canadeh he pushed through something called bill c51. Its pages long but one of the new powers he's given to the police is the ability to come into your house without a warrant. France just gave their police the same powers among other things a day after the Paris attack. In Canada if you protest on a streetcorner against ...mmmm maybe an oil corporation for environmental concerns you can be labelled a terrorist and thrown in jail without legal council indefinately. They make no distinction between eco terrorist or plain old terrorist with jihadist beliefs. Thats another beaut from bill c51. Among many more too varied to list. This isn't about just laws. This is about pushing through draconian tyrannical laws that chip away at basic human rights and freedoms in the name of security and every country is doing it. My opinion mind you but its hard to deny where its all leading.   

Police can come into your house without a warrant regardless of what the law says.  ;)

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

Police can come into your house without a warrant regardless of what the law says. ;)

Anybody can come into your house without a warrant. That's why responsible people have guns. ????

[darksabre]

Anybody can come into your house without a warrant. That's why responsible people have guns. ????

See, we can dance around in circles for hours when we only talk with simple logic. Isn't this fun?

[Stoner]

Only responsible people should have guns...

[SarasotaSabre]

ISIS connection to San Bernardino massacre - great

 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html

[SwampD]

Wait, wait, we're not supposed to link weapons and religion! Challenge flag! Not every believer is a murderer! You can't generalize. It's a small portion!

 

Oops, sorry. On review, you never said any of that when making your connection. My mistake.

 

Kidding, of course. I certainly agree that religion, a belief, is the root of more violence than atheism.

 

I also agree with Whiskey. My Christianity is more likely to illicit a condescending sneer from Atheists. Certainly not always, before someone points that put. Raptor Jesus, anyone?

 

I'm a believer. There's nothing exceptional about my belief. The exceptionally devout don't ridicule me.

Words matter, though, and using terms like "war" and "assassination" when trying to describe a "condescending sneer" is exactly the type of rhetoric that might push someone who is already cracked to act out those very things. It's unnecessarily inflammatory.

http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2015/02/chapel-hill-shooting-white-male-atheist-murders-three-muslim-students

 

http://nypost.com/2015/10/01/oregon-gunman-singled-out-christians-during-rampage/

that's 2 this year.

Oh, great. That just proves what I already know. Everyone is nuckin futs and we're all doomed.

[Stoner]

ISIS connection to San Bernardino massacre - great

 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/04/us/san-bernardino-shooting/index.html

That's a very loose use of the word connection.

[Stoner]

I question whether ISIS would have a strategy of directing actors here to shoot up workplaces. Don't they know it doesn't move the domestic needle? They should think about taking out NetFlix or disrupting the supply of peanut butter to our stores. That would cause a stir.