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As you said fanatics abound in more than just religion. sometimes what can cause this extreme fanaticism is a catastropic or tragic event. another can just be who did the converting. another can be that one has these tendencies of violence etc and the climate or converter uses that as a way to bring those characteristics out in the individual.
i don't believe in harming or destroying...it's not what God, the source or whoever or whatever you choose to worship deigns appropriate. it is a manipulation of what is written to suit one's own agenda.
posted by
Annicita
on July 13, 2013 at 2:05 PM
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I could
I could feel something here...
posted by
Saif_AlKindi
on July 12, 2013 at 10:26 PM
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almost forgot..
Sheldon says "bazinga" 
posted by
Blue_feathers
on July 12, 2013 at 2:52 PM
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hmmmmm.. I must re-read this before I comment. Lot's to digest here.
~Peace 
posted by
Blue_feathers
on July 12, 2013 at 2:51 PM
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posted by
Dr_JPT
on July 12, 2013 at 2:24 PM
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maybe its the same Baptist group we have here picking funerals etc
posted by
Lanetay
on July 12, 2013 at 9:02 AM
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Geez! Take a deep breath! Now let it out slowly! There, feel better?
I must admit, I agree with you wholeheartedly. To me, one of the greatest differences between a Muslim convert and a born-again Christian is that born-again Christians aren't usually then recruited to blow someone or something up! Yes, I too feel that religion in general is simply a crutch for many, but as you've said, if it helps them live a better life than one they had been experiencing, then who am I to condemn? However, I do believe in a terrific statement the late, great George Carlin once quipped that there should have been an 11th Commandment . . . Keep thy religion to thyself! I've met and known several born-again Christians in my life, and instead of just living their lives as they choose and leading by example, they instead become extremely overbearing in trying to force those beliefs down your throat! And that, I'm afraid, has an opposite affect on me! Good post . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on July 12, 2013 at 6:20 AM
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I've read this post twice, and the comments. Here's mine:
When people are fanatically dedicated to political or religious faiths or any other kind of dogmas or goals, it's always because these dogmas or goals are in doubt. -Robert M. Pirsig, author and philosopher (b. 1928
It has often been said that converts are the worst, the most in-your-face, self-righteous and devout in all the outward forms of any religious or political community. I think Mr. Pirsig is right, that this fervor masks doubt of the dogma itself, or of one's own worthiness to receive it.
There are plenty of Christians who practice, quietly and with devotion, their own faith. There are plenty of Muslims, too, who practice their faith without the need to prosletize or create mass converts. And in both religions, there are the deeply fanatic, who believe theirs is the only way, and that they owe it to their God and require it for their own personal salvation, to convert or destroy.
There is also a perverted kind of power in this furious righteousness, and some people are attracted to power, either to share in it, or to feel safer from it.
posted by
Ciel
on July 12, 2013 at 6:02 AM
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Belief, or not, is a personal choice, and I respect that choice, no matter how ardent it be, and fully expect others to offer me the same courtesy. I will not, however, respect any belief that condones hurting or terrorizing others, emotionally or physically.
posted by
adnohr
on July 12, 2013 at 4:17 AM
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This may seem like an excellent post to some, but to me it is one of the worst that I have ever read. It is quite offensive and it tells me a lot about you, and about those who think the same thoughts as you. I wish that you could know some Christian people that I know. And I wish that you had a desire to know and worship God. 
"Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me. Bless His Holy Name."
Now you can delete my comment and pretend it was never here.
posted by
TAPS.
on July 11, 2013 at 6:16 PM
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I remember of such research Naut has talked about.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on July 11, 2013 at 5:51 PM
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And re Kabu's question:
Kabu, Allah, the all-powerful, has an unlimited supply of virgins! What's more, (and this is actually part of Islam's teaching) their virginity is immediately restored after the, ahem, encounter...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 11, 2013 at 5:42 PM
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Mia
Another excellent post! I might add that there's all kinds of research (and I ain't gonna dig it out now, LOL) which shows that new converts tend to be particularly zealous, not only to demonstrate their commitment to their fellow believers, but also to themselves! Once the first steps have been taken, it can sometimes become a completely 'self-radicalizing' process...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 11, 2013 at 5:37 PM
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yeah reward is the word , with all those virgins.....it puzzles me where those virgins come from and what does it say of the muslims thinking on women!!!1
but all that aside, this is a wonderful post. I really found so much that I really agree with. I personally am a Christian but I do not write about my Faith except to offer prayers if requested. Do as I do not as I say....really love one another and go outside and drink in the beauty that is Canada...that's where I feel God.
posted by
Kabu
on July 11, 2013 at 4:04 PM
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