Go to God as The Universe as an Organism
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I doubt that we will get far arguing about which religion has done more violence. Surely if one religion had done much more violence than another, that would be relevant. But unless this is clear, it seems trivial to debate about which religion engaged in more persecutions and executions and mass slaughters.
I think the most important point is, that religions calling themselves peaceful have often behaved in a most unpeaceful way, while accusing others of being violent.
Right now I think it's fair to say that most religiously-inspired acts of violence have Muslim perpetrators, but a few hundred years ago it would have been a different story.
Then again, perhaps Zionist Judaism has a role in this contest, for its policies against the Palestinians have caused many deaths, since Israel is an advanced state possessing big weapons. When it moves into Palestinian land, forcing people off and killing those who stand in its path, it does so at least partly out of the belief that God promised the land to the Jews.
posted by
Dyl_Pickle
on January 27, 2007 at 8:14 AM
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Xeno-x
Yes, thought-provoking indeed, and the comments too therein. I aired similar views on the subject yesterday, just in case if you are interested. A good post!
posted by
Bhaskar.ing
on January 27, 2007 at 4:36 AM
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Good analysis, Xeno-x
As always your posts are thoughtful and insightful.
I think that Islam is going through the phase Christianity went through during the inquisition. They are merely a few centuries behind Christianity, still in their relative infancy.
posted by
archiew
on January 27, 2007 at 4:23 AM
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Xeno-x -I may have missed it but what is the point you are making here?
There is no disputing that religious organizations and governments of the world have throughout history heniously oppressed people. If you are suggesting that the citizens of some of the middle eastern countries have legitimate beefs with the west because of this past and present oppression, I cannot disagree. We also know from our values that it is inherently wrong to stereotype or racially profile any group of people.... but try telling all of this to the surviving family members of 911.
We are faced with an elusive self declared foe who hides amongst moderate populaces and has no qualm at all about shedding innocent lives in furtherance of their goals. Our choices as to how we prevail in this conflict are extremely limited, further exacerbated by the encumbrances placed upon us by our western values. With our foe utilizing every possible means, without restriction and without consideration for any of these values, you want to worry about relatively minor human rights transgressions amongst a community that is not doing enough to isolate the transgressors? It is easy to forget who brought these inevitably necessary (albeit regrettable) actions upon the muslim community. It was members of their own populaces, not you or I.
posted by
gomedome
on January 26, 2007 at 12:06 PM
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Xeno -
I'm with you, though radical Muslims do have access to better weapons that are able to kill and maim many more numbers then most previous religiously-tinted fanatics.
posted by
sannhet
on January 26, 2007 at 7:24 AM
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