Terrorists: Cult of Human Sacrifice?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characterization of certain extremist groups as engaging in human sacrifice within the context of their religious beliefs, particularly Islam. Participants explore the implications of this characterization, the motivations behind such actions, and the broader societal and political contexts that contribute to these phenomena.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of the article's claims, suggesting it mixes correct observations with unfounded speculations.
  • One participant argues that the article fails to provide a coherent reasoning connecting observations about Islam's adaptation to contemporary issues with extreme statements about human sacrifice.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the motivations of extremists, such as bin Laden, are rooted in a perceived religious war rather than purely political objectives, raising questions about recruitment strategies.
  • Concerns are raised about the portrayal of violence and its justification within extremist ideologies, with references to the psychological and societal factors that lead individuals to embrace such beliefs.
  • There is a critique of the oversimplification of complex geopolitical issues, with calls to reconsider the narratives surrounding nationalism and faith in the context of violence.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus, with multiple competing views on the motivations behind extremist actions and the interpretation of the article's claims. Disagreement exists regarding the implications of labeling such actions as human sacrifice and the broader societal narratives at play.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments rely on assumptions about the motivations of extremists and the effectiveness of their recruitment strategies, which remain unexamined in detail. The discussion also reflects a tension between political and religious interpretations of violence.

franznietzsche
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=679&e=3&u=/usatoday/20041117/cm_usatoday/nothingislamicabouthumansacrifice

Interesting article, i think he makes a good point. Discuss.
 
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Franz, why do you emediatly discount it when I say it, but when you read it in a yahoo article it's now a 'good point'?
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It's cause you see me as a liberal isn't it?
 
Last edited:
Smurf said:
Franz, why do you emediatly discount it when I say it, but when you read it in a yahoo article it's now a 'good point'?
...
...
It's cause you see me as a liberal isn't it?

Link to the thread where i said this? I don't recall it, soto answer i would have to reread what both of us said.

I probably should have said he makes a "good case," as that is what i meant.
 
Imho, the text mixes correct observations with blatant speculations and all that wrapped in this typical "I'm going to repeat my opinion time after time until you believe it" style of writing.

There is absolutely no development of any reasoning between the correct observation that Islam is trying to find it's way in the current world and the bold statement that "the aztecs are back". Why not blame it on something else, like "a gigantic world spanning alliance of Jews who control everything in the world" (Irony all over) ? Or is that one a bit old fashioned ?

Greetz,

Leo
 
It's time to put aside the international-relations texts that have failed the world so miserably. We must confront the elementary problem of our times: Frightened human beings and the longing for easy answers that lead to the most repugnant forms of faith.

I think this article is misguided at best and purposey misleading at worst. What do you do when all you have is a simple armoury of knives, granades, cars and yourselves, while your invader has the ability to fly their B-2 from Missouri all to way to places like Afghanistan to drop horse feed and bombs at the request of their agent made via a satellite call? Nationalism, buddy, is that such a dirty word?
 
You hear the dispassionate voice, discussing the sighting mechanism, controlled by satellites, the accuracy, the focus of the onboard cameras, and then you see the rocket leave the drone plane, and silently, but savagely kill a group of strangers on some foreign ground. This is us.

To quote TS Eliot,(somewhat)

We are the hollow men, we are the oil men
Headpiece filled with straw alas!
Our voices when we whisper together are
As quiet and meaningless as wind through dry grass,
As rats feet in broken glass...
 
Well, they do claim that killing the infidels will gaurantee their way into paradise. "Sacrificing" their enemies is the road to heaven for them. That is how they get recruits. This is obviously a perversion of Islam, but what is their motivation? In his tapes bin Laden does not just make political demands, he demands conversion of the US as well. To him, it is truly a religious war, not merely political.
 
franznietzsche said:
In his tapes bin Laden does not just make political demands, he demands conversion of the US as well. To him, it is truly a religious war, not merely political.

Just a thought, but if bin Laden were to fight an obviously (and only a) political war, would he be able to recruit as he well as he does ?
 

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