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Religion
In reply to the discussion: Religion Was Not the Reason For the Paris Attacks [View all]I don't think they're applying that conclusion (religion doesnt cause the violence, it is the excuse for it) for ALL cases. In this particular instance it's an interesting argument.
For the deadbeat, dead-end Kouachi brothers, the notion of being a part of a great jihadi battle may have seemed appealing for many reasons. For such people, real wars are exciting, and the imagined wars of great religious conflict are more than exhilarating. They also offer the promise of opportunity, of playing an ennobling role within that cosmic war. Perhaps most directly, such imagined wars provide a justification for doing something destructive to the very society that they think has shunned them and their community.
Hence the defense of religion provides a cover for violence. It gives moral license to something horrible that the perpetrators may have longed to do, to show the world how powerful they and their community really could be, and to demonstrate their importance in one terminal moment of violent glory. Religion doesnt cause the violence, it is the excuse for it
In this excerpt - they acknowledge a difference:
These lone wolf events are different from other instances in recent years where organized radical groups with religion as part of their ideology, such ISIS or the Christian militia, have plotted attacks and recruited participants to be involved in them. In the lone wolf cases, religious ideas, when they appeared at all, were more of an excuse than a reason for the violence.
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Nationalism supplies the concept of organized violence in the service of a "greater good".
rug
Jan 2015
#33
That statement applies equally to hundreds of service members who spent time in Iraq and Afghanistan
rug
Jan 2015
#23
If you look at the people who flipped out because a flag was burned you'll likely see similarities.
rug
Jan 2015
#17
nobody is denying the good, somebody here is desperately attemptimg to deny the bad.
Warren Stupidity
Jan 2015
#49
The road that led from tough Paris estate to radical Yemen training
muriel_volestrangler
Jan 2015
#53
Yes, that is the story line being perpetrated by the media and by the men who sent them.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#67
That's just crap. They made a choice to kill it was their choice reinforced by their religious zeal.
Leontius
Jan 2015
#71
More, not just a Buddhist point of view, Jesus would have embraced them, too, these killers.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#64
Religion is the main cover story used to promote an a-theistic political terroristic agenda.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#84
No, you're wrong. The Paris terrorists were not following an "atheistic" agenda.
trotsky
Jan 2015
#93
I believe they thought they were acting on a religious mission, but were sent by agents...
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#96
Indeed they are not. And extremists don't speak for the religion that they exploit. (nt)
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#119
Agents of Al Qaeda have taken credit for the attacks. Neither you nor I really know.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#123
I fully understand. The term 'true islam' is a logical fallacy, and the rest of your post is garbage
AtheistCrusader
Jan 2015
#124
I am confused what you two are arguing about, is someone saying to you in essence
randys1
Jan 2015
#128
I completely disagree with you but you have always been polite and nice to me so it wouldnt enter
randys1
Jan 2015
#130
The deflection of responsibility in your post is nothing short of appalling.
LiberalAndProud
Jan 2015
#75
Religion is decidedly not the reason for terrorism, just as sex is not the reason for rape.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#87
Of course in your world the analogy fails. Because it doesn't. It kills your argument.
NYC_SKP
Jan 2015
#92
Because most humans are greedy self absorbed bastards who want their needs met whatever
Leontius
Jan 2015
#137
It's an article so I am going to assume you are addressing this to the author and not me.
cbayer
Jan 2015
#95
I agree. I think those that seek to divide use religion, race, sexuality and whatever they can
Live and Learn
Jan 2015
#80