Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id WAA25331 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Fri, 14 Sep 2001 22:17:59 +0100 X-Originating-IP: [209.240.220.143] From: "Scott Chase" <ecphoric@hotmail.com> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Why? Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 17:13:02 -0400 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed Message-ID: <F263aTIGH9PRRErJwiY0000fb4c@hotmail.com> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 14 Sep 2001 21:13:02.0593 (UTC) FILETIME=[09F07F10:01C13D62] Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>From: Bill Spight <bspight@pacbell.net>
>Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
>Subject: Re: Why?
>Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2001 10:33:04 -0700
>
>All:
>
>I found this a surprising view:
>
>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28620-2001Sep14.html
>
>I haven't really digested it, but I suppose that the idea is that the
>secularization of American culture has played a part in making the U. S.
>a target of Islamic fundamentalists. IOW, the image of the U. S. as the
>"Great Stan (Satan)" is partly true.
>
>OTOH, if America were a theocracy, we would not have been a target. Like
>the much more theocratic Israel. Right!
>
>
Falwell and Robertson are way out of line. To even consider placing moral
responsibility for the tragedies on secularists is a sentiment which makes
me ill.
If the U.S. were a theocracy, or more of one than it already is, there would
be more religious persecution. The variety of faith which formed the basis
for theocracy would have the upper hand and all others, whether other forms
of X-ianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism or whatever could likely be
discriminated against and faced with those trying to convert them. There
could very well be more sectarian strife than exists now.
If one sees how religious fundamentalism can drive people into certain
fanatical us/them mindsets one could come to quite different conclusions
than Falwell and Robertson.
One worry I have aout the aftermath of these tragedies is that there could
be increased bigotry towards Muslims or people of Arabic or Middle Eastern
descent. Holding Muslims in general responsible for the actions of a
fanatical Jihad fringe is like blaming Christians in general for the actions
of the Ku Klux Klan. Hopefully cooler heads prevail.
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