Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id QAA03740 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 18 Sep 2001 16:18:57 +0100 From: Philip Jonkers <P.A.E.Jonkers@phys.rug.nl> X-Authentication-Warning: rugth1.phys.rug.nl: www-data set sender to jonkers@localhost using -f To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Re: Dawkins View Message-ID: <1000826072.3ba764d82cbd9@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Date: Tue, 18 Sep 2001 17:14:32 +0200 (CEST) References: <006601c13e47$b98b5180$302484d8@default> In-Reply-To: <006601c13e47$b98b5180$302484d8@default> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit User-Agent: IMP/PHP IMAP webmail program 2.2.5 X-Originating-IP: 129.125.13.3 Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
It seems that Dawkins view and my own show great overlap.
Religious promises (memes) of a blissful after-life is
powerful in its persuasivesness to people who are
brainwashed by religion ever from early upbringing and
have a tradition of disrespect for human life (especially
women, again sorry to say).
I think Dawkins is right in his main argument, although
the real identity of the perpetrators might turn out
to be different from the not very complimenting profile
he suggests in his article.
To qualify as a suicide commando requires a strong belief
in the afterlife. Otherwise you might have second doubts
in giving up your earthly life and thus jeopardising
the whole operation. Secondly a strong conviction in the
correctness of the action, hatred is the fuel needed here.
And thirdly, support and blessing by the family and the people,
to allow smooth departure from this world.
Given the share of USA in poking and interfering with
middle east political agenda's, it shouldn't even be all
the hard to round up sufficient fanatics which amply qualify
to the mentioned requirements for becoming a suicide commando.
The testosterone-sodden, ugly young men might be ideal
candidates but might only form a sub-set of all the people
who qualify.
Philip.
ps. I'm not anti-American (on the contrary, I'm
going for a post-doc to Berkeley soon).
It's just that the US does not seem to pay much attention
to the 64,000 dollar question: `WHY?'.
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