This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
Western Extremism On the Rise?
Citing recent attacks in Norway, irrational Islamophobes such as Pastor Terry Jones whose influence single-handedly cost lives around the world, and the ever increasing melting-pot that are our societies, are these events of anti-islam, antiforeignism rare occurring acts throughout society, or an increasing trend within areas that years ago used to be dominated only by white, Christian societies?
Thoughts? Opinions?
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.
Colin Smith
I like to ask the question why does extremism exist? I am no expert on U.S.-Arab relations but I think the reasons are economic, religious, cultural, and ideological. Christian extremists don't realize that they are a prime example of exactly what they don't like about extremist Muslims. Both sides argue that there is a God. Which is possible, but this "God" is characterized by each culture in a culturally-tailored way. In other words we invented this God in our heads. No doubt, there certainly is a full account of all the secrets of the universe and why/how we as humans got here, but as science has uncovered since the Bible and Quaran were written, those books do not have said secrets. They have good stories that sound appealing to us and CLAIM to give you all the secrets of the universe if you just simply believe the words on the page. Well isn't that convinent. That might actually work if we didn't have 5 million differing opinions on this topic and thus the solution becomes clear. People who are all separately convinced on the validity of preposterous claims of spiritual grandeur by various prophets throughout history are going to get set in their ways and start fighting when there is a disagreement. SOLUTION: stop trying to believe convinent fairy tales and go get a degree in physics, engineering, cosmology, sociology, biochemistry, materials science, neuroscience, biomedical sciences, or anything else that will help our understanding of the universe from a FACTUAL standpoint rather than a culturally polarized SPECULATIVE standpoint. Do we all agree the Earth is a sphere yet? Well if we don't we should. Cuz its a damn sphere and I'm sorry for your soul if we need to argue about that. But that's basically how far I feel like I need to go with some of the Christians I talk to. It's like they have no ability to reason. At all, we need help coming together. Science is the way to go.
Eun A Jo 10+
Science is a kind of knowledge, while religion is lifestyle.
Do you really believe that if people stopped having faiths and got degrees in physics, that extremism would disappear?
Aside all the religious extremism, there are also social/political segregations and racial disparities that advocate extreme views. You sound rather disproving of human/cultural diversity, when I think that is something we need to be absolutely grateful for.
It's unfortunate that varying beliefs have begotten extremist fights, but your solution of abandoning faiths altogether sounds pretty ridiculous. Do you suggest that we get rid of market economy since there would always be victims of failed business? With freedom, there is always going to be an unexpected outcome. What we need to focus on is how to minimize the impact of these adversities and help those who have been unfairly striked by them.
Colin Smith
At that point we can celebrate and promote religion even though I feel like they are just fairy tales to help us deal with the inability to grasp the cosmic perspective. Believe me, I find all different types of Religious faiths to be fascinating and many of which inspire me greatly and I want to make sure everyone can believe what truly inspires them and helps them feel like they have a place in the universe. For me that happens to be mathematics but I am fully aware that others need a more emotionally based theory of life to help them get through their lives. However I won't tolerate religious friction that turns into violence and gets people killed and wastes money. In the end, they are just stories, no one needs to die.
Eun A Jo 10+
But I still hear a lot of hasty generalization and nonsequitur arguments.
I think you need to be careful when describing a group of people, because you tend to use a lot of "everyone," "all," "always," and other hyperboles - quite ironical for someone who is so against extremism.
And here are some questions:
1. Do you really think we're living in "peace" with geographical borders?
2. Do you think drawing "intellectual borders" would help us "think in peace"? How do you define "intellectual borders"? What does "thinking in peace" really mean?
3. Your arguments contain various contradicting ideas which confuse me. I get that you believe religious faiths are "fairytales." And previously, you said, "stop trying to believe convinent fairy tales." But here, you say, " I want to make sure everyone can believe what truly inspires them and helps them feel like they have a place in the universe." What do you really think about religion?
I don't think you're "fully aware" of others' needs and perspectives as much as you claim to be. As I've mentioned earlier, with freedom of belief, there WILL be unexpected adversities. While you claim to respect the others' faiths, you say, "I won't tolerate religious friction" which is a natural consequence of coexisting varying beliefs.
"In the end, they are just stories, no one needs to die."
OF COURSE no one needs to die. No one needs to die for ANYTHING. But the reality is that people die for money, status, power, and many many other things that they don't need to die for.
And I repeat. They are not just stories for some. They are truths. They are life.