Words of wisdom from an 18 year old

[adigal]

Today, a high school senior said, "The Middle East people are always going to hate us, we need to just nuke them now, before they all grow up and hate us."

I looked at him and said, "I cannot believe you said that!!!"

The student sitting next to him looked at him and calmly said, "You are the same as the Islamic fundamentalists."

I was startled - I had never seen it that way.

[shoelace414]

1. it's the black or white argument

either they all 100% hate us.. or they all 100% love us.

[Skidmore]

2. From the mouths of babes...

Yes those who think this way are jus as dogmatic and myopic as any Islamic fundamentalist. Fundamentalism is the same the world over, regardless of the ideology it follows.

[purduejake]

3. And now you see the roots leading to our next civil war.

I think the people coming out of public education today are some of the brightest ever. They seem to be the most open-minded I have ever seen in Indiana. However, the education and attitudes vary greatly across the nation. Very troubling, especially with the "you're either for us or against us" mentality and thirst for blood and death. There are truly many monsters running this country.

[tanyev]

4. Christian fundamentalism and

Islamic fundamentalism are flip sides of the same coin.

Historian Martin Marty noted in his lecture ten characteristics of fundamentalism:

1. Fundamentalism is born in the soil of conservative, traditional, orthodox thinking BUT has evolved far beyond its initial beginnings.
2. Fundamentalism must feel threatened to generate passion.
3. In Fundamentalism, all compromise is suspect.
4. In Fundamentalism, you must react to think, thus there is often an attack mode employed.
5. Fundamentalism must draw sharp lines between THEM and US.
6. Fundamentalism needs certain faith documents, such as canon law, or the Scriptures, “rightly interpreted,” which is a springboard for its positions.
7. All Fundamentalisms claim the authority of God.
8. All Fundamentalists have a holy mission, a crusade, a cause, or a jihad.
9. Fundamentalists have a political agenda; they must elect God’s people to places of authority and influence.
10.Fundamentalists know the end, for they will win, for that is God’s will.

http://www.mmsucc.org/Reflections/fundamentalism.htm

[cry baby]

5. Well, I guess that ruined your day. It makes me so sad that our

young people have such a violent streak. No respect for life.

[adigal]

6. This is in NY

and I always keep my views to myself, but I was just shocked when the student said, "Just nuke them all." I couldn't help my response. But, yes, this is where the next civil war would look like. I understand brother against brother (or sister) because I cannot stand my right wing warmongering brother.

[DebinTx]

7. Shocking that so many feel that way

rather than try to work for compromise through diplomacy, nuke them. And doesn't this go against the christian grain?

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. *Sigh* Where's A Draft When You Need It?

Those brats are only able to say those because theres a proxy army fighting "them" over "there". I can't bet enough money to see how fast they change their tune once they have to face the lottery.