Violent Islam - the correct response 2

Submitted by G. McMe (Canada), Sep 29, 2006 at 16:59

I think that the Imams reach for political power by using the Islamic religion's disenchanted to try to gain more power for themselves as the leaders in that segment of the world's populations. It means a better life for them while termination for their 'best' followers. They are not likely to hear any complaints from people who have blown themselves up!!!

I think your 'high moral ground' and turning the other cheek while appealing and somewhat pacifist in nature seems a mile above their actions but falls short of recognizing the loss of life on both fronts. The high moral ground did not work with Hitler and look at the results. Sometimes you fight fire with fire and that is the high moral ground - protecting even those you may not tolerate that well.

But I have another analogy for you - In most unions that I have been acquainted with, the general membership are willing to let the 'rabble-rousing activist' in their midst progress to leadership positions within the organization. When they lead a strike and ask for the moon, the rank and file sit back and say - well it's nothing I had anything to do with, don't look at me. I'm not disparaging unions - I'm saying that it is the same human nature to sit behind the fire and use the smoke as a screen when someone is looking for a reason or cause. We let the activist hang out to dry and will take the benefit of anythng they can achieve for us. I know - I've been there, seen it happpen, was part of it, was one sitting in the shadows waiting for the results. If the activist lost his job I was willing to 'pay that price'. Why should any Imam give this up? It's too easy for them to sit on the fence or silently condone what they think will help their cause.

The silent majority of Islam - are waiting in the shadows - if things go their way then they can be part of the great achievement - and if things go awry then they are blameless for the failure. The silent ones are looking for a win-win situation. As long as things are prosperous religion matters less but when hard times and desparation hit it goes into depression and the release in this religion if to 'go postal' and blame everyone else that is not a son of allah. Hence - kaboom. Note that it is not the well heeled Imam splattered over the earth. It takes a lot of years of study to reach the point of Imam so a targeted approach could lessen the supply of radical Imams fairly quickly.

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