tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23192115713683881912024-03-14T18:35:52.826+13:00aotearoa-motivesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-10756561744360210572017-01-23T09:20:00.001+13:002017-01-23T09:20:38.026+13:00The greater jihad - the struggle with the self<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">All of us, including you dear reader, are fighting<span class="Apple-converted-space"> '</span></span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">demons'</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of some kind. Some are genetically pre-</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">installed</span></span>. Many are created for us in our early years by parents and life experiences.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Not everyone has the same<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">demons</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, nor the same number of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">demons</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. Some</span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> demons</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>are more powerful and harder to fight. Not everyone has the desire, the will or the tools to fight them with. Many people are <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">blissfully</span> unaware of their<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="il" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">demons</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">, yet are controlled by them. Someti<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">mes they lay dorma<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nt for a while until som<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ething arou<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ses them. </span></span></span></span>The negative emotions of fear, anger, disgust, guilt, shame, jealousy have their evolutionary roots and uses but are not helpful if they get activated inappropriately.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the light of further<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> well pub<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cised <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Muslim Jihadi attacks in Europe (Berlin<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> Istanbul and Jerusalem in the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">l<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">as<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>few days)<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, for which </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">responsibility has been cla<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">imed by ISIS<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> </span></span></span></span>the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">media are again trying <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to draw <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a </span></span></span>distinction </span>bet<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ween whether th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e attacker was </span></span>direc<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">tl<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">y</span> instructed by ISIS</span> 'controllers' or whether it was merely 'inspired' by ISIS. Given that ISIS<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Al-Qaeda and other groups</span> </span>have<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> explicitly and publicly<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> adv<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ocated Muslims to carry ou<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t these <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">type</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">of attacks, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and provided instructions and a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">d<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">vice on the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">best tactics ...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The dist<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nction is<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> largely immaterial<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and the end-result i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s identical. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">predominantly secular Western <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">world</span> does n<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ot seem to be aware that <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">it </span></span>is not sim<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ply </span>fig<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hting a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">organisat<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ion (ISIS or <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Al-Qaeda etc</span>) with a nice neat binary b<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">lack<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/</span>w<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hite, yes/no, in<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/out</span> membe<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">rship</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I</span></span></span></span>t is fighting a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> very <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wide-ranging <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">gr<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">oup of</span></span></span></span> ideolog<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ies</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, concepts, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">world-views, a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">set of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">very, very, deep<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">-</span>se<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ated belie<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">fs abou<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t the wor<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ld and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n</span></span> afterlife<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, which can be used to ju<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">stify all sorts of horrors. Th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ere is<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wide</span> spectrum o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">b<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">eliefs and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">levels of commitment to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">them</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>, with no clear cut-off point. At what point does <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">harm to oneself o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r </span>another person bec<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ome <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">unacceptable<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">? </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Getting up <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">at 4<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">:</span>00 AM</span> for personal praye<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r</span>? (dedication?)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Spend<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ing a to<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">tal of </span>45+ minutes per day </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">at various times </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>in prayer? (meditation?)</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Self-enforced religious fasting (<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">no food or water<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">)</span> for 20 hrs</span> per day <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">for one <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">month<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> each<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>year</span></span>?</span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">En<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">courag<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ing <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">children to do the same<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">?</span></span></span></span></span> (</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">building u<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">p self-control</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> or unquesti<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">oning loyal<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ty?)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Forc<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ing children to learn t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he </span>Quran or to attend <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Christian </span>S<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">unday School or <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Ch<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">urch</span></span>? (unquestioning accepta<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nce?)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">C<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ircumcision or <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">FGM </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">of babies or young children</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">? (<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">invol<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">u</span>ntary</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">branding?)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Threatening children with everlasting punishment i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n Hell fo<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r mis<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">deeds<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> such as </span></span></span>g</span>irls <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n</span>ot covering <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">up th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">eir bodies and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t</span></span></span>heir ha<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ir<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ot <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">doing their prayers on time or general disobedi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">enc<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">T</span>elling chi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ldren that <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">unbelievers (o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f any kind) </span>are evil<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> destined for Hell, and not to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">be a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ssociated with</span></span>?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Teachi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ng</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> children that scientific facts such as evolution are false 'th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e</span>ories', back<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ed up by <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">weak evi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">dence <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and</span> </span></span>forgeries<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> such<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> as</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Piltdown <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ma<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n and Archeoraptor?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Filling ch<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ildren's hea<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ds</span></span></span></span> </span>with stories of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">'</span>proph<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ets'<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, wars<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, v<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ctories and losses </span></span></span></span></span>a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">scribed to som<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e super<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">atural<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span>being<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> - depend<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ent o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n</span> th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">eir level of faith and obedi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ence to the scri<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ptures<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Teachi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ng</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> children that t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">his li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">fe is a test for the afterlife. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">'Good<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">' deeds are rewarded and 'bad' dee<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ds or inactivity is punished. But the definition <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">of good a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nd bad is clearly defined <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">relative <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to your o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wn <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in-group of believers. They com<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e first in all things.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Teaching that the Qura<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n, Sunnah</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> and Hadith repea<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">tedly </span>emphasis<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">necessity of </span></span>having (<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and demonstrating</span>) a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> stronger love for <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the 'Pro<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">phet</span></span></span>' and Allah than for your own immediate family members.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The p<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">rent<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> real<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ly </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">believe</span> this stuff </span></span></span></span></span>and drum into their children<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. So it take very little in terms of a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">political o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r soci<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">al </span></span>grievance</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">reac<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">h a sit<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">uation <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">where</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a</span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">couple o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f days <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">prior to the latest Berlin att<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ack</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4054312/Jihadi-parents-teach-young-daughters-suicide-bombers-kiss-goodbye-startling-footage-shortly-seven-year-old-walked-Damascus-police-station-blown-remote-detonator.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">7</span> year old </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4054312/Jihadi-parents-teach-young-daughters-suicide-bombers-kiss-goodbye-startling-footage-shortly-seven-year-old-walked-Damascus-police-station-blown-remote-detonator.html" target="_blank">gi</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4054312/Jihadi-parents-teach-young-daughters-suicide-bombers-kiss-goodbye-startling-footage-shortly-seven-year-old-walked-Damascus-police-station-blown-remote-detonator.html" target="_blank">rl entered a police station in the Midan </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4054312/Jihadi-parents-teach-young-daughters-suicide-bombers-kiss-goodbye-startling-footage-shortly-seven-year-old-walked-Damascus-police-station-blown-remote-detonator.html" target="_blank">area of Damascus</a> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">someone remotely detonated a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n explosi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ve device <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">girl</span></span> was <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wearing, blowing her to pieces<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span>thankfully in<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">juring only <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">one other person</span></span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">J</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ust one possible example of hundre<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ds</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> in recent years. Boko Haram <a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/boko-haram-children-suicide-bombers-160412093755915.html" target="_blank">frequently use children this way<span style="color: #222222;">.</span></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Most of this has been said already, in many pl<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">aces<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span></span>so I don<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">'t need to repeat it<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> at length, but if <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">you have <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a deep<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ly held belief in Janna<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/ </span>Heav<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">en<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> for believers</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> and<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Jahannam <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/ </span>Hel<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">l</span> for unbeliever<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a certainty that t</span></span>his life is just a transit<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">-lounge or a testing<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">-ground <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">for </span></span>the next </span></span></span>li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">fe<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">;</span> then <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t follows that you</span> place a low value on your own li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">fe <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and</span> </span>those of o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ther<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s - especially unbelievers. You shut your eyes and ears to the m<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">asses of </span>evidence that contradict your ow<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n views<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and clutch at every s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hred of nonsen<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">se and pseudo-science that can possibly be used to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">support <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">them.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This appli<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">es not only to I<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">slam but also to Christian<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ity (and other reli<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">gions). I have see<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n it <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> evangelical Christ<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ians and everyday moderate Muslims in my own family<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> who ha<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ve</span> systematically <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">d</span>estroyed <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">their</span> own li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ves</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>and t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hose of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ot<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hers around <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">them</span> </span></span></span>over many years directly as a result of these beliefs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">At the root of i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t all <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">are these beliefs that often <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">place onese<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">lf outside society</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> (especially a secular society).</span> Not <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">obliged to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">contribute or take part <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">fully in the normal <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">sen<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">se<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">; <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a</span></span></span></span></span>bove worldly affairs. </span></span>In t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he Western worl<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">d, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">we see this <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">institutionalised</span> in the special <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">tax status given to Religi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ous <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">organisations<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">migrants who have flooded into Eur<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ope (in many cases) do not see themselves a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>willing <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">members of society who <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">w<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ish to contribute<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, to take part and give back</span>. T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hey see them<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">selves as jealous of Western peace and success; entitle<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">d </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>to take what they can and destroy <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">what they cannot. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">L</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">anguage and cultural barriers set them apart and they'll take <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">every short-cut the<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">y can to a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cqui<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">re personal wealth by any means<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hat means ignoring the law when<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> it suits them and us<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ing <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e la<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">w</span></span></span> a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">gainst the nativ<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">es <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">when it is to</span> their own advantage. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">O</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ur Western adher<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ence to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">legislation is seen as quaint<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and foolish, and the Welfare State as something to be milked f<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">or all is it worth.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span>Ethic<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">al behaviou<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r is not their strong point.<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">For many of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">those brought <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">up in a Muslim s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ociety this is becau<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">se <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">they have no <i>internal</i> moral compass. This is simply not part of general Muslim upbringing. Validation is always e<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">xternal to oneself. There is no sen<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">se of natural 'human' justice</span></span>. T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he con<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cept is <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">just not there. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So, back to the demons then<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> - <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the parentally / s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ocially ins<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">talled <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ones. </span></span></span></span></span>You cannot fight these <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">militarily in Syr<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ia<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, Iraq, Yemen or anywhere else</span></span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">And <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">as to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the question o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f attacks being directed <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">or merely 'lone-wolves' inspired by ISIS ... I'm sayin<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">g t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hat the lone-wol<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cenario is <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hig<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">hly</span></span> li<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">k<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ely - and difficult to prevent. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he pare<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ntally installed <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">demons</span></span></span></span> can only be fought by wide<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ning perspective<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">;</span> by education - <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">specifically</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">encouraging critical thinkin<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">g, a willingness to fully investigate<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> alternative views with an open mind<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Open<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">g <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">closed minds is difficu<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">lt wor<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">k<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> b<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ut it must be done -<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> for<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>milli<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ons of people</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">There was a recent paper <a href="https://www.yaqeeninstitute.org/publications/modern-pathways-to-doubt-in-islam/" target="_blank">p</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.yaqeeninstitute.org/publications/modern-pathways-to-doubt-in-islam/" target="_blank">ublished by the Yaqeen <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Institute</span></a> </span>which confirms my own<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> finding<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s and ideas<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> -<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> t</span>hat there are three main <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">paths</span> to religious doubt<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> : </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">moral <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/ <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s</span>ocial concer<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ns</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">philosophical</span> / <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">scientific</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">concerns</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">personal trauma</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">All three <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">boil<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> down to a conflict between personal values and those officiall<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">y </span>espoused and endorsed by</span></span></span> Islam. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">we need to encourage <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">do<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ubt<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">; make pe<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ople think;<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">di<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">minish</span> certainty in religious dogma.<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> It is that <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">certitude</span> that enables individuals to commit thes<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">atrocities</span> in the name of their religion.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>Personal T</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>raum</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>a</i> is th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ankfully </span>the least common (or least <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">successful) </span>of these paths<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, and it would be difficult and unethical to encourage. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Trauma</span>, such as <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">religiously <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s</span></span>anctioned abuse of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">women a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nd children<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> or mistreatment of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">LGBT Muslims, sometimes (but not always) <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">raises</span> doubt in the victim's mind. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">witness</span> to this abuse <i>may</i> experience<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><i>moral</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i> / social doubts</i>.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Alternatively, study of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">h</span></span>istorical events<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, battles, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">sanct<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ion<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ed 'punishments' and treatment of 'offenders' <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>may</i> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ra<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ise doubts. Reading the Quran in <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">your own language may raise doubts<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. </span></span>But in my experience the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">thinker <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">usually finds s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ome <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">way to post-rationalise or compartmentalise their thinking.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The best pat<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">h <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">is the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>scientific / <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">philosophical</span></i> one<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">here are <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wider <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">opportunities</span> to <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">do</span> this <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">en-masse and in my view it <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">provides <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the m<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ost</span></span> solid base from which <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Muslims can move <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">away from the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">faith and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">never look back.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">how <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">can we</span> encourage do<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ubt<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> then? How do we<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> weaken</span> the certitude <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in the Muslim <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">mind<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It needs e</span>ducation<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> ... but</span> in <i>specific</i> <i>areas</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, such as </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the hi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">story of reli<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">gions going way b<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ack <i>be</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>yon</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><i>d</i> the Abraham<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ic faiths<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The list of <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">potential i</span>tems here is <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">endless, but includes </span>su<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ch things as the H<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ammurabi C<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ode<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">which <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">is <i><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">remarkably</span></i> similar to both the OT l<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">egislation</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">S<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">haria, </span></span></span>and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">is inscribed on a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">stele, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">which</span> </span>includes a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">representation</span> of the Sun<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">-god Shamash giving the la<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">w to the king (<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">not un</span>like Moses recei<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">vin<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">g the law </span></span>on <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Mt Sinai)</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">T</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he Epic of Gilgamesh<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f course in<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cludes the story of Noah / Nuh / Utnapishtim in <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">a very differ<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ent context<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, having</span> remarkable similarities and differences to that found in the OT and the Quran (s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">uch as the age of Noah at 950 years), altho<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ugh <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the Gilgamesh legend was recorded a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">round 1,000 years before the OT. If you think the age of Noah is a trifle suspect, it should be seen in context of the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">antediluvian <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumerian_King_List" target="_blank">Sumerian Kings</a> and the lengths of their reign.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The ancient Persian Zor<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">oastrian <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">religion inclu<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">des <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">many elements <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">having</span></span></span></span> a very clear echo<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">in Islam. T<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he number and timing of daily prayers, the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">story of how the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">number of prayers originated<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. </span>The details of the Mi'raj<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> are very similar to those of the Ar<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">da Viraf<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">S</span></span></span>irat Bridge <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">mirrors the</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Chinvat Peretu, </span></span>details of<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> the required ablution (wudhu<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">_</span></span></span></span></span> before prayer, facing a <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Q</span>iblah to pray, giving of charity <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">/ <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">z</span>akat, the characteristics of Heaven and Hell and on and on.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Muslims <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">need a much wider and deeper un<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">derstanding of what is in the Bible <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to gra<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">sp<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> that fact that the Quran is not a stand-al<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">one document<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">; the s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">yle is refere<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ntial <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">... 'remember whe<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n pro<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">phet X did Y' ...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">nd the details of the story are <i>not</i> provided in the Quran but <i>are</i> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">generally found in the OT or one of the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Apocrypha<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">. Yet <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Mus<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">lims are always critical o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bible<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">;</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t</span>heir view being that </span></span>it <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">has bee<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n altered and er<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">rors introduced. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Modern <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">textual</span> analy<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">sis agrees with this point of view and results in the entire<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> book being undermined.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.. which <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">of course undermines the Qura<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">n it<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">sel<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f because the err<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ors are so deep<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and </span></span>all-encompassing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We need <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e</span>ducation in term<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s of sc<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ience<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">,</span> especially </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ose dealing with time and space<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">.</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A</span></span></span>stronomy</span>, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">archaeology</span>, and pre-history<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">;</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t</span>he vast aeons of evolution <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">wh<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ich passed <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">to arrive at</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">homo-s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">apien<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s,</span></span></span></span></span> with <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">the total absen<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ce of a<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ny <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">goal or specific point<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> on the continuu<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">m at which you can say <i>this</i> is now homo-sapiens<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> (Adam and Eve / Hawa), but t<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">he previous generation was not.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Anoth<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">er area is t</span>he history of the development of human languag<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">es</span> (v<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">s the <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Tower of Bab<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">e</span>l story)<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and the idea that the Quran was written in the holy <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">langua<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ge o<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f Arabic, as i<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">f it was a static thing<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">it </span>had always existed in written fo<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">rm on some kind of stone tablet in Heaven</span></span></span></span></span></span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bi<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ological s<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">cien<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ce and <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">t</span></span></span></span>he Theory of Evolution and natural selection needs to be ta<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ught simpl<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">y and widely. <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Muslims and Christ<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ians (esp the older generations) have a very poo<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">r un<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">derstanding of the principals of natural selection and all the old misinformation about chance; the second law of thermodynamics come up in discussion<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> again and again<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> - and th<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">ose<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> are</span></span> the better educated ones! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 12.8px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Superstition, <span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">myth</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">m</span>isinformation and ignorance needs to be<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> cleared away. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-52141752757672640142015-12-29T22:23:00.000+13:002016-01-16T12:37:23.760+13:00The Engineers of Jihad<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Following on from my earlier posts regarding the personal characteristics that predispose individuals to getting involved in violent radical Islamist activities I'd like to add a few items and elaborate on some others. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Muslims (<a href="http://islamicsupremecouncil.org/understanding-islam/legal-rulings/5-jihad-a-misunderstood-concept-from-islam.html" target="_blank">esp. Western liberal</a>) will tell you that concept of 'Jihad' is all about what is called the <i>Major Jihad</i> - the struggle to consciously develop self-control, betterment of the self and suppression of worldly desires or behaviour deemed haram. With practice over time this becomes a subconscious repression of self-esteem, and self-expression becomes an anathema for oneself and others around you. Expecting women to wear the burqa or the hijab is an example of this suppression of self-expression in practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />Diego Gambetta and Steffen Hertog published a paper about eight years ago, back in October 2007, entitled the '<a href="http://www.sociology.ox.ac.uk/materials/papers/2007-10.pdf" target="_blank">Engineers of Jihad</a>' which examined in some depth the over-representation of engineering graduates within violent Islamist organisations. Their findings included the importance of the attraction that engineers have to certainty, binary black and white thinking, a dislike for the social chaos of plurality, a desire to find a neat all-encompassing solution, and to hold</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> more conservative political and religious views. In MENA countries a family has to make significant sacrifices to send a member through university. Engineering degree-level coursework exposes them to </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">m<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">odern engineering technology which is predominantly Western, </span></span></span>and then </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">when they graduate </span>they are frequently faced with very few professional opportunities for employment locally, creating personal resentment</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">. C</span>ombined with a deeply ingrained societal resentment of the West and Western values this tends to predispose them to religious radicalisation. Perhaps the Luddites of Jihad might be a better term since they are trying to drag society back to the Middle Ages.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So what we are witnessing then is something of a revolution or Reformation of Islam. This time we don't have Martin Luther and the printing press; this is a widespread reformation mainly taking place via modern communication media enabled via the Internet, smart phones, radio and television**. The pace of cultural change has perhaps moved up a gear from a imperceptible drift to a quick march - but social activists (with AK-47s, smartphones or both) are pushing it in different directions in different places and times. Much of Syria and Iraq has temporarily been marched back to the middle ages in many respects - but the Internet is still there (where ISIS haven't switched it off) allowing exchange of information and ideas. In essence this is a war of ideas (like most wars), played out at horrendous cost with peoples lives and destroying the infrastructure and wealth of nations. This time the fight is about what Islam means. We need to reinterpret what it means to be a Muslim.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is fight that cannot be won with bullets and bombs. Ideas live in peoples heads; they are transmitted or replicated via word of mouth, documents, rituals, videos, Tweets, etc. You can kill people but the ideas live on. Killing tends to generate martyrs, resentment and invite retribution long after the event. Like Goethe's Sorcerers Apprentice </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">(1797)</span>. Take up an axe to destroy the broomsticks and each one you break will generate two more active broomsticks. It is only by reciting the right words that you can end the nightmare.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">And briefly returning to the contribution of self-esteem to the radicalisation issue. To clarify the incongruity between real self-esteem and religion, because some people seem to have difficulty with this concept, I q<span style="font-size: small;">uote below from Nathaniel Branden (7 Hours Live. Tape 2 at ~34 mins): </span></span><br />
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<blockquote>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.25cm; direction: ltr; color: rgb(0, 0, 10); line-height: 120%; text-align: left; }p.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif",serif; font-size: 12pt; }p.cjk { font-family: "Droid Sans Fallback"; font-size: 12pt; }p.ctl { font-family: "DejaVu Sans"; font-size: 12pt; }a:link { }</style><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">"Of the types of neurotic solutions opted for by many people (and
these are not mutually exclusive) one of the most important and
often deadly types of substitute self-esteem that people can opt
for is what I call <i>self-esteem via identification</i>; social or
personal identification.<b> </b></span>
</blockquote>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>Social identification</i> means identification of oneself with a
movement, a cause, with an organisation, with some greater than
myself institution. And from identification with, association with
this particular movement, cause, club, group, religion, I derive my
personal glory. This is obviously what attracts many people to
religion and others to certain types of political movements. This
is often the psychology of the True Believer. So by identification
with some institution, some structure, some organisation, something
larger than myself, I am good, my life has moral meaning, I have
significance, I have glory, because I am part of this thing.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="western" style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Now one of the reasons why this particular type of neurotic
self-esteem solution is so socially dangerous and why its probably
responsible for more suffering in human history than any other, is
the fact that <i>in order to derive my self-esteem from
identification with some impersonal abstraction such as a cause, I
have to depersonalise myself.</i> I have to make myself an
un-person to myself, and <i>when I do that, other people cease to
be persons to me</i> and that makes it psychologically much easier
for me to kill them, to torture them and to exercise every kind of
brutality upon them in the name of this higher abstraction, and to
commit atrocities which I could never commit if I thought I was
doing this selfishly, in my own name and for my own sake. Once I
disappear into this immense personal abstraction, so do you, and so
do all human beings, and then we see the kind of atrocities that
enter into the history books. <i>The depersonalisation, first of
self and then of others - that is the irresistible consequence of
identifying personal worth with identification in some kind of
abstract cause or movement".</i></span> </blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The quote above is taken from recordings of public lectures by Branden which you can find online, but to my knowledge he didn't include anything quite so explicitly anti-religious in his published books. I guess his editor advised him that America </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">in the 1970s </span>was not yet ready for the truth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** For a more extensive analysis of the impact of technology on Islam and Christianity over time, please read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Bishop-Mullah-Smartphone-Religions/dp/1498217923" target="_blank">The Bishop, the Mullah and the Smartphone by Bryan Winters</a>. I personally had some input into this and recommend it to you.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-55146205848091815042015-11-15T16:25:00.001+13:002016-01-16T12:42:03.850+13:00A small step for a Muslim ...<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wh<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y do <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islami<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">st <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">terrorists carry out these atrocities<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">? </span></span></span></span></span>That's the question we all want answered<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - and I provide some answers based<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">p</span>sychology</span> and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s</span>ociology here.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Islamist attacks on the West, such as the recent ones in Paris (13 Nov 2015), Charlie Hebdo, the London bus and tube attacks (2005), the Madrid train bombing (2004), 9/11<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (</span>2001) get our attention here in the West<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span>even in New Zealand. But similar attacks are carried out hourly elsewhere against other Muslim sects, Christians, Hindus, Yazidis ... on and on; although the attacks in the MENA region get little attention in the West. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So why do they do it then?</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Browsing in our local bookshop recently I saw several books on the Islamic State </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(ISIL / ISIS) </span>phenomenon. They get decent reviews on Amazon, but in my opinion they do not answer the 'why' question because they focus on the wrong thing. They focus exclusively on the political aspects, which while they have some relevance <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span> provide some justification<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span> does not give the whole picture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The other part of the picture is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">so<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">me<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aboo</span></span></span></span> and few people seem to have identified it. Hence doesn't it get much airtime. That<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'s the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sociological<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span> and psychological side. Here I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'ll try to present a rational and logical view of this - but it assumes <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the read<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">er has a bit of backgrou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd in these areas.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each attack is different, each attacker is different, they have different histories and backgrounds, different levels of education, different countries of origin, yet they strike with one purpose. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is well known that a common factor is the attackers' Muslim faith. But world leaders including Barack Obama, David Cameron, Angela Merkel, Francois Hollande and even our own John Key here in NZ have said that these attacks are 'nothing to do with Islam'. Muslim leaders have expressed similar sentiments. So what's the deal then?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let's look at this another way. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is well known that Tribal culture is essentially anti self-esteem* by definition. The Tribe is everything; the individual is nothing without the Tribe. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam is in essence a Tribal culture - there are strong rewards for joining and remaining within the 'group' (including those in afterlife) and strong threats and punishments for leaving or apostasy - death (and everlasting punishment in hell). The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Pillars_of_Islam" target="_blank">five pillars of Islam</a>, while they are personal (ie things you do personally) are things that are done as a group. They are designed to strengthen in-group bonding<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span> suppress individuality, give life mea<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ning</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">diminish</span></span></a></span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_management_theory" target="_blank"> the terror of the grave</a> f<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or you</span>. </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The declaration of faith (Shahada) is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">clearly <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">little</span> more than</span> a <a href="http://iic.org.za/activities/11-what-you-need-to-know-about-islam" target="_blank">pledge of allegiance</a> to the group. It could <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCwK3MTUROU" target="_blank">literally save your life</a>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e time </span></span>of the formation o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f Islam<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> i</span></span>n 7th century tribal Ara<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bia, with various forms of polytheism <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">prevalent</span>, the Sha<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hada <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">renunciation</span> of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">your</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">previous tribal gods and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">acknowledgement of the Proph<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">et <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mohammed</span> as <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Alla<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">h's messenger - </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>his representative on <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ear<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">th and therefore your new leader.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prayer (Salat), always includes multiple iterations of the Shahada, and a curse on the Jews and the Christians (last verse of Al Fatiha). Across the five daily prayer times<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span>h<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e Shahada</span> is repeated a <i>minimum</i> of 17 times per day and could easily be up to 44 times per day. Prayers take <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a total of 45-90</span> minutes per day (excluding ablution time). <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In</span> summertime th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e first may be at 03:00 AM and th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e last at 23:00. </span></span></span>This <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">regime both </span>requires and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">instils </span>a high-level of suppression of ones own <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mental, emot<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ional and bodily </span></span>desires and needs. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The 'rewards' for praying as a group grow exponentially <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">as</span> more people <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">take part</span>. This is aimed at coercing all to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">participate</span></span> and eliminati<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ng individuality</span>. Group prayers are done in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">regimented</span> straight lines facing Mecca<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span>emphasising equality before Allah.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Charity (</span>Zakat), is a form of mandatory taxation for Sunnis (optional <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">for S<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hia) </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but </span>must be distributed <i>in the community from which it was taken</i> (ie local Muslims).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fasting (Sawm) is a self-imposed shared hardship which strengthens group bonding and cohesion. Done <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">amongst <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the heathen</span></span> in the West it strengthens self-control. Done en-mass in Muslim majority nations it encourages individuals to spy on and coerce others <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to</span> toe the line.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span>pilgrimage to Mecca (</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hajj</span>) should be done at least once in your lifetime and is a very public acknowledgement of your being part of the in-group (and possibly your </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">submission to Allah). The mandatory garb worn is specifically intended to remove personal identity and show equality.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The rituals of ablution, prayer, fasting and Hajj are obviously <i>rituals</i> - even to Muslims performing them. With the exception of Zakat (Charity) they provide no real benefit to anyone on earth - although Muslims always hasten to <a href="http://www.whyislam.org/submission/five-pillars-of-islam-2/prayer/spiritual-benefits-of-prayer/" target="_blank">rationalise</a> them. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These five pillars are just the basics - there are literally thousands of other minor Islamic rituals that can (and should) be incorporated into your daily life as <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a Muslim</span>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now Muslims are not alone in having elaborate religious rituals. Most (all?) religions have these - that's what makes them a religion. But what makes Is<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lam different <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">level of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">commitment</span> needed to carry them out<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> day <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">after day.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I</span>t <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is intended to result in <a href="http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Identity_fusion" target="_blank">identity fus</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Identity_fusion" target="_blank">ion w</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Identity_fusion" target="_blank">ith the group</a>. The surrender o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one's mind<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, body and 'soul<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">' to the group.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lam means 'submission' to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Allah - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ubmission to Islamic religio<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">us</span> aut<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hority.</span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d </span></span>unsurprisingly<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> when you look at th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e r<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ituals,</span></span></span> Musl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ims see them<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">elves first and foremost as Muslims rather than as citizens of any country<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (esp the West). They te<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd to distrust or despise Western forms of auth<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ority.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> submission<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>(blind faith) in the Quran<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span> the religion </span></span>and the tradi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tion<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s le<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ads to a kind of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01325/pdf" target="_blank">moral bewilderment</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> where doing <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what is 'right<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">' quite obvious<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly <a href="http://www.onlineindus.com/afghan-woman-stoned-to-death-for-eloping/" target="_blank">goes a</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.onlineindus.com/afghan-woman-stoned-to-death-for-eloping/" target="_blank">gainst any k</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.onlineindus.com/afghan-woman-stoned-to-death-for-eloping/" target="_blank">ind of rationality o</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.onlineindus.com/afghan-woman-stoned-to-death-for-eloping/" target="_blank">r humanity</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> -<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">y</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">et <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span>hese are the th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ings you have been<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> taught to </span></span>v<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lue<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is a fact that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span>he avera<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ge person ten<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ds to judge them<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">selves by the values prevalent around them<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, al<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">though <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span></span>h<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ose</span> values may not be rationa<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l and may not an<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">swer to the needs of the indi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vid<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ual<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you have a bunch of individuals with low <a href="http://www.nathanielbranden.com/our-urgent-need-for-self-esteem" target="_blank">self-esteem </a>(<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">having </span>inherited values, in<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">capable and unwilling <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to </span>think for themsel<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ves)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ho distru<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">st author<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i</span>ties</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(esp Western) which </span></span></span><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/insights-into-the-personalities-conspiracy-theorists/" target="_blank">predisposes individual</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/insights-into-the-personalities-conspiracy-theorists/" target="_blank">s</a> to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">believe <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">c</span></span></span>onspiracy</span></span></span> theories. Th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">en you thro<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">w in the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fact that the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Qu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ra<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nd Hadith are </span></span></span></span></span></span>predominantly critical o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unbelievers and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">condone v<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">olence against them. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">F</span>or Musl<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ims <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>he Quran is the literal wor<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God, and<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the Hadith are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">highly revered</span>. The Sirat ul Nabi by early writers such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_Ishaq" target="_blank">Ibn Ishaq</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are filled with <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vast amounts of<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>violence<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - not merely isolated incidents</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Any culture<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, including </span>Islam, at any given t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ime </span>is a grou<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">p of individuals. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Because Islam <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">embodies</span> a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tri<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bal cultur<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e,</span> individu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">als <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(in many respe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cts) </span></span>have low<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> self-estee<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">m and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their identity is fused with the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">group<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is not therefore entirely surprising that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">minor </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>'insults' to th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e group <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are seen as maj<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">affronts</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">w<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hat is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">effectively a <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.psychwiki.com/wiki/High_Self-esteem:_Secure_v._Fragile" target="_blank">fragile </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.psychwiki.com/wiki/High_Self-esteem:_Secure_v._Fragile" target="_blank">self-esteem</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> held by the group</span>.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f</span> the tri<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be it<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">self has low self-estee<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">m<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> then other groups are see<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n as sources o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f external approval or disapproval. Sources of disapproval should be elimin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ated.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">you could look at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it from the <a href="http://www.ericberne.com/transactional-analysis/" target="_blank">Transactional Analysis</a> viewpoint<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> put forward by Eric Berne. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Human indi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">viduals </span>of all cultures have P<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aren<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, Adult and Child characteristi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cs <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">states. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Regrettably <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the vast majority</span> of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslims <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">through their upbringing <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(culture) <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">have strong Parent and Child characteristi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cs but very weak <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adult characteristics. Muslims are not t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">aught critical th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">inking - in fact quite the r<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">evers<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Learning<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> is done by rote<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">;</span> individual thought and reasoning <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">sim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ply does not generally occur (in <i>any</i> field of e<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ducation)</span>. </span></span></span></span>For this reason, in my e<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">x</span>perience, Muslim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> students</span> from <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> majority countr<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ies </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">who come <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NZ or the UK to study at <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">university,</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">often </span>have great difficulty adjusting </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>to the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">idea that they are expected to come <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">up with original work<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, bec<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ause they are simply not tau<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ght how to th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ink back 'home'</span></span>. </span></span></span>Rote learning<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and recitation of Quranic verses</span></span> in Arabic (which they prob<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ably do<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> not unde<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rstand) i<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s expected<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and asking<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> questions quickly get<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s you into trouble <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">- so they learn not to ask questions<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (esp<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. regarding <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islam).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">returning</span> t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e simplistic pol<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">itical justifications<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">; </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> envy and </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">jealousy<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of the wealth and freedoms enjoyed in the West</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span>feelings of inadequacy <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when Muslims see th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at God<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'s chosen people are largely left behind in the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">progress stakes. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">re is an</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">obvious discrepancy <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">betwe<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">en the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">prosperity <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of the infidel West <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">vs. the </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islamic world </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">which is </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lar<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gely poor and<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> must th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">erefore be </span>the vic<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tim of Western </span></span>exploit<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ation</span> (as Mu<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">slims see it). <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">T</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">here <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">will<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be</span></span> deep-seated p</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ersonal <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f</span>rust<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rations with the world<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">wide dominance and interference <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">by the West <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in Muslim nation<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span>So there are wrongs to be righted and a balance to be restored. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ISIL comes along and <a href="http://www.clarionproject.org/news/islamic-state-isis-isil-propaganda-magazine-dabiq#" target="_blank">provides </a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.clarionproject.org/news/islamic-state-isis-isil-propaganda-magazine-dabiq#" target="_blank">you with </a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.clarionproject.org/news/islamic-state-isis-isil-propaganda-magazine-dabiq#" target="_blank">a c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lear </span>direct</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.clarionproject.org/news/islamic-state-isis-isil-propaganda-magazine-dabiq#" target="_blank">ion</a>, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">with Quranic authority<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> and </span>opportunities</span> for concrete <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">enga<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ge<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ment in the cosmic battle for <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what is 'right' </span></span></span></span>(and perhaps funding)<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. In my opi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nion<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span></span>It really <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">would</span>n’t</span> take much to tip the balance and turn a semi-rational Muslim into a terrorist,<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> based on their <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">personality</span> traits and upbring<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Progressing fro<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">m the Major Jihad (<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">struggle to suppress</span> the self) to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t</span></span>he <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">M</span>inor Jihad (<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">suppression of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">others by mili<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tary means</span></span></span></span>)</span> becomes a necess<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ity.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">N</span>ote however, that the vast majority of<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the victims of Islamist viole<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nce are in fact other Muslim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> sects </span>or local (out) <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">groups<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is large<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ly because of their accessibility - it is easier to attack your neighbours tha<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">n someo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ne on <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">another contin<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">en<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t. But it <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">also demonstrates</span> that Western foreign policy is not the key driver of Islamist activities.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you'<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ll excuse the pun<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> -</span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r</span></span>adicalisation is <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a small step f</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or a Muslim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">but a giant regression for mankind. </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Islamic </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rituals, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">traditions, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>scriptures<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and faith are <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the</span> key <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">foundations for this step.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">F</span>or the sa<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ke of brevity</span> I've had to generalise a bi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t here. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Individuals are unique, but there are patterns of behavio<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ur </span>that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">can be observ<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d. Let<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> me also <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lear that most Muslims are not violent radicals<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, but <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the potential <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">is there. Most Muslims have not <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">read the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ir holy scriptures in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">their own lang<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">uage - <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the dan<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ge<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r is that if / when this occurs they might <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">feel</span> oblig<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ed</span> to act on them...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Le<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t me <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be clear </span></span></span>th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> not anti-Muslim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">b</span></span>ut <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> do think that in general Muslims need to think a little <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">more <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">critically</span>, broaden the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ir</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">viewpoint<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">read a little <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">more widely<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*N<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ote also that 'self-esteem<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">' is a very much misunderstood term. Pleas<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ead s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ome <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">extensive documentation from s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ome<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">one such as Nathaniel Branden before <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">leaping</span> to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>conclusions about <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">use o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">erm </span></span>here.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-45967886749273333872015-09-15T20:13:00.001+12:002015-09-26T10:06:44.098+12:00Only Connect<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">E.M. Forster, Howards End, 1910.</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">...Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the
prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be
seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the
beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will
die.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is a plea to Kiwis and to people the world over. Make connections. Make personal connections. Get to know your </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">neighbours, </span>colleagues, </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">workmates, </span>classmates, inmates and especially those from other cultures. So often there is beauty and treasure right in front of us, yet we frequently make no effort to discover it. Perhaps you know someone who seems a bit withdrawn or doesn’t engage with the crowd; an 'outsider'? Don't just make assumptions based on what you see or what you've heard; don’t simply talk <i>about</i> them; talk <i>to</i> them. Break the ice. Ask questions, respond. Discover what makes them tick. Discover their background. We are all haunted by our past to a greater or lesser extent. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Take a little time to get to know them. </span>Their history, their aspirations. They will have much to share. New Zealand has a great diversity of cultures - we need to break down the barriers between them. It is sometimes difficult for us, but try to put our prejudices, assumptions, guesswork and fears aside and engage directly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRKQz-7ImfLjAKnX6xgB38ap9YqNOU7vgavFGaGuwB7lHi5cdX5g1I497OjRmpoFh76X5HEKCjfPYMs59otUNNR-f_JyiMMJlgkf-CvC37fuBKW1B2iKULgPjd_mBU0-dDdnSETMNZ1aH/s1600/tourists_not_asylum_seekers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRKQz-7ImfLjAKnX6xgB38ap9YqNOU7vgavFGaGuwB7lHi5cdX5g1I497OjRmpoFh76X5HEKCjfPYMs59otUNNR-f_JyiMMJlgkf-CvC37fuBKW1B2iKULgPjd_mBU0-dDdnSETMNZ1aH/s320/tourists_not_asylum_seekers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As NZ begrudgingly takes in a small number of Syrian refugees, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that our Muslim community here does not become isolated from the rest of the population. In my experience, Muslims as yet have no serious political aspirations in NZ beyond a genuine willingness to engage across communities and see improvements for all. There is little or no Muslim-specific political agenda, militancy, wish for separatism or special treatment. The vast majority of
Muslims in NZ follow what you might call the 'fluffy personal
version' of Islam. This provides them with a set of rules and
regulations about how they should behave, and by-and-large they don't want to control the behaviour of others.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In my view this is because, at the moment, the Muslims here (like most migrants of any race or creed here) are consciously or unconsciously trying to get away from something. People don't choose to come to this tiny set of islands in the middle of nowhere unless you're escaping from something - whether that be the </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">restrictions of </span>your culture, society, family, your past life, yourself. They are mavericks. So it is unlikely that the current set of Muslims would want to impose strict Sharia (law) on themselves or anyone else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This escapism or maverick nature of the current set of Muslims here is partly a function of the tiny percentage (1%) of the NZ population that they represent. However, as that percentage grows over time, the dynamics are likely to change. It would no longer be possible for incoming Muslims to seek refuge from the world here. The community would start 'policing' itself and the new Muslim migrants would be those who want to join a Muslim community, not those who are prepared to go-it-alone. It would become increasingly difficult for members of that community to express their own opinions; they would have to toe the line.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeIiokR7_-57qWNUBjIP3Ai8saEyaBD2dLGY9zEDqipDuVP27PMeRuhtdNVvQHnT0uCumjMg7BApjfOP5p1XJIAPIeSh8nemA_t3g5wi8qd6B1mSuspOvDTw1GiBI33YIgD7CH8ZPQPer/s1600/Prayers+of+Noon+-+Grand+Mosque+of+Nishapur+-+September+27+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeIiokR7_-57qWNUBjIP3Ai8saEyaBD2dLGY9zEDqipDuVP27PMeRuhtdNVvQHnT0uCumjMg7BApjfOP5p1XJIAPIeSh8nemA_t3g5wi8qd6B1mSuspOvDTw1GiBI33YIgD7CH8ZPQPer/s320/Prayers+of+Noon+-+Grand+Mosque+of+Nishapur+-+September+27+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Toeing the line, Islamic style. (Grand Mosque of Nishapur 27/9/2013)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Slavery-Terrorism-Islam-Peter-Hammond/dp/1612154980" target="_blank"><i>Slavery, Terrorism and Islam</i></a> (</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hammond P, </span>2010) provides examples of the typical behaviour of Muslim communities as they grow and the percentage increases relative to non-Muslims. This is summarised in <a href="http://dttj.blogspot.co.nz/2010/07/why-stop-muslim-immigration.html" target="_blank">a blog here</a>, which obviously has a very negative bias, but that doesn’t necessarily make it incorrect.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Islam indoctrinates its followers with a sense of supremacy: Islam is the only true faith and will eventually conquer the whole world. Muslims don't do humility very well. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I'm asking Kiwis to build close relationships, bridges, with their Muslim community to help them integrate, build understanding and trust, help them to see that there is value in other cultures and that the 'infidels' are not all bad. Act as ambassadors. You will be representing your country, your culture, your kin.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This wont be any easy battle. Muslims are extraordinarily prone to conspiracy theories and have a very deep distrust of the West (esp. the US, Britain and Israel). This mistrust at a very general level is based on decades of official foreign policy, implementation of that policy on the ground and activities of global corporations. There is a real sense of victimisation (IMHO based on the aforementioned indoctrinated self-esteem deficit). The <a href="http://www.opinion.co.uk/article.php?s=orbiiacss-poll-in-iraq-and-syria-gives-rare-insight-into-public-opinion" target="_blank">recent opinion poll</a> conducted within Iraq and Syria by ORB shows that over 80% believe that ISIL is an US/foreign made group. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is actually much <a href="http://There is actually much evidence to support that view. " target="_blank">evidence</a> to support <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/03/09/3-times-u-s-foreign-policy-helped-to-create-the-islamic-state/" target="_blank">that view</a>. </span>It didn't appear to be a planned outcome, and it wasn't directly controlled, but the outcome was ISIL. Muslims I have spoken to in NZ and globally believe that the outcome was planned - to create an an ongoing state of war in the MENA region; providing wealth for the Western arms and oil industries and keeping the Muslim world in subjugation to the West. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Opinions are not the same as facts, but perceptions control our thoughts and actions. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At an interpersonal level things are better. Muslims are unlikely to reject an honest friendly approach. An issue however. is that while individuals can develop good working relationships across cultural divides, these will be seen by Muslims as a 'special case'. This belief would allow Muslims to reconcile their prejudices about the great Satan (the US and Western civilisation) with their own experience. Nevertheless it is a small but necessary step along the road to integration.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-7996777623050023802015-08-15T16:14:00.001+12:002015-09-17T10:51:32.058+12:00The Expendables relinquish their rights to self-expression and thought<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Arabic word 'Islam' literally translates to English as 'submission' - to surrender or resign oneself – and in the context of the religion specifically; submission to the will of Allah.<br /><br />I would suggest that this in itself is at the root of all the problems faced by the Muslim world today.<br /><br />Let me explain myself a little. We see a number of significant issues. Political instability – frequently under the rule of a dictator who himself is part of a dynasty that has been in place for decades. Where public feeling has eventually managed to organise itself and overthrow the dictator, he has simply been replaced with another authoritarian regime, or general chaos has ensued.<br /><br />The political instability feeds, and is fuelled by, a cycle of corruption at all levels of society with personal and organisational ethics driven by the lowest common denominator; with few prepared to suffer the economic disadvantage of unilaterally playing fairly. The ubiquitous corruption makes these societies open to abuse by individuals or organisations (e.g. petrochemical or weapons companies) who see opportunities for personal gain, with little or no regulation. Deep mistrust going back centuries is enshrined in every transaction of all kinds, even marriage proposals, leading to an unhealthy rate of consanguineous marriage with its consequent genetic disorders.<br /><br />Education and literacy in the Islamic world is woefully inadequate, and an oft-quoted insularity indicator is that “the whole Arab world translates about 300 books annually, one fifth of the number that Greece translates. The cumulative total of translated books since the Caliph Mamoun [d. 833 AD], is about 100,000 - just about the number that Spain translates in one year” (<a href="http://www.arab-hdr.org/publications/contents/2002/presskit-02e.pdf" target="_blank">UNAHDR</a>).<br /><br />Following on from my recent post (below), the World Values Survey maps traditional / religious values against secular / rational values and self-expression. Some aspects of why self-expression should be antithetical to religious values, and the deeper significance of this were not immediately apparent to me.<br /><br />In the western world since the 20th century there have been philosophers and psychotherapists such as Sigmund Freud, Nathaniel Branden and more lately Steven C Hayes, Russ Harris, who have developed the earlier work of others (including Buddhism, Hinduism) and make it accessible to the West. One of the key elements of their message, is that self-esteem is dependent on high levels of personal integrity, and sources of approval being internal, not external to oneself. <br /><br />In other words, a key underlying issue in the Muslim world is the subjugation of one's reason to external validation and approval. Society determines what is acceptable behaviour; how you dress, where you go and with who, what you eat and drink, what one can say or even feel or think. The will of Allah is all pervasive, with the phrase “insha'Allah” (God willing) as a caveat tacked onto every planned action. But who interprets the will of Allah? Given that Allah is supposed to control everything – weather, wars, traffic jams, intestinal movements, chemical reactions and the movement of electrons – Allah's will is a self-fulfilling prophesy revealed moment by moment, and nobody can gainsay it. Humans are powerless to predict or change the outcome of anything at all. Anything that happens is God's will and everything and everyone inevitably has to submit to it.<br /><br />This leaves the Muslim individual with a deep sense of powerlessness. Of being expendable, helpless and adrift in a world that is totally outside their control – even down to their own behaviours and life. Everything is predestined.<br /><br />In my view, it is that loss of self, that submission to some essentially arbitrary set of rules interpreted via a social hierarchy, that undermines all attempts at rational thought and provides the basis for a strong predisposition towards acceptance of tyrannical leadership. External sources of validation and approval ... always <i>external</i>. Islam literally means submission to external authority. <br /><br />However, human nature being what it is, there is always a certain amount of double-think going on. And that 'predestination' can be subverted to ones own ends. You can justify your tyrannical control of your citizens, staff, family, wife, children by appealing to the relevant external authorities (Qur'an, Hadith, Shariah, clerics) and choosing a suitable interpretation favourable to yourself. And of course there are masses of suitably oppressive and tyrannical Islamic sources to quote from.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Combine that suppression of rational thought with indoctrination that your religion, holy book, beliefs are God-given and superior to all others, and you have a poisonous situation that can spill over into all manner of evil activity at any moment. That </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">deficit of </span></span>self-esteem leads to suspicion, paranoia, and conspiracy theories ... and we see this in the Muslim world all the time.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This really is a recipe for a hellish nightmare with reason, rationality and the right to self-expression lost. Abandon all hope ye who enter here. (Dante)</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-21993421300281789102015-06-13T16:53:00.000+12:002015-09-13T19:46:43.180+12:00What do I stand for?<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">New Zealand is considering a potential redesign of our flag. The official government website (<a href="http://www.standfor.co.nz/tell-us" target="_blank">standfor.co.nz</a>) allows the public to contribute their views, values and flag designs. The idea being that the new flag, if we have one, should represent what the people of NZ stand for. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">My values fall into two categories I think: </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Social: Those that affect others directly (the way I behave towards others) and the way I hope they will behave toward each other. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">diversity, dialogue, freedom of thought and speech, honesty, tolerance, compassion, generosity, education, justice and impartiality. These are the basis of human rights.</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Personal: Internal values that affect the way I think, or aim to think (which of course influences the external values). </span></span></li>
</ul>
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">all of the social elements, plus intellectual honesty (self), intellectual integrity (self), moral integrity (self).</span></span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">All of these values - but especially the personal values require me to constantly review my thoughts and behaviour and question whether I am being honest and fair in all my dealings. Have I looked at all sides of an argument? Do I need more information? Am I being biased in some way?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <a href="http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/wvs.jsp" target="_blank">World Values Survey</a> regularly examines cultural and personal values of people around the world. The graph below, maps average value for countries in terms of secularisation and self-expression. New Zealand falls into the top right of the English speaking group, ahead of Great Britain but behind some other European countries.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Given what we know, it is not really a surprise that the Islamic countries are at the bottom left, in traditional / survival mode.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><a href="http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/images/Cultural_map_WVS6_2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/images/Cultural_map_WVS6_2015.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Values are associated closely with ethics and morals.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Lawrence Kohlberg proposed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Kohlberg%27s_stages_of_moral_development" target="_blank">six stages of moral development</a>. It is worth reviewing this to see how these relate to yourself. Individuals tend to progress through the stages as they discover incongruities in their current understanding; when they come across a situation that cannot be handled well by their current set of principles. Coming to this realisation however depends on a review process - which not everyone does.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>
</span><br />
<table border="1" style="width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Level</b></span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Stage</b></span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Description</b></span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">1</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Obedience, punishment</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No difference between doing the right thing and avoiding punishment.</span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">2</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Self-Interest</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Interest shifts to rewards rather than punishment. Effort is made to secure greatest benefit for oneself.</span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">3</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conformity and interpersonal accord</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Effort is made to secure approval and maintain friendly relations with others.</span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Authority and social order</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Orientation towards fixed rules. The purpose of morality is maintaining the social order. Interpersonal accord is expanded to include the entire society.</span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">5</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Social contract</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mutual benefit, reciprocity. Morally right and legally right are not always the same. Utilitarian rules that make life better for everyone.</span></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">6</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Universal principals</span></span></td>
<td><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Morality is based on principals that transcend mutual benefit.</span></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Societies too, move through these stages over time. Legislation is slowly reformulated over time as society advances, although there is usually a significant time lag between the common view of the general populace and the enshrinement of that in law. It is the role of the judiciary to interpret that law in the context of historic and current events, which allows for legal rulings that push the boundaries further. There are many examples of this in recent times: rights for women, rights for black people, rights for LGBT people. Slowly, we are making progress in the West. The Islamic world varies considerably, but as societies they are still very much in stage four. The imprisonment, flogging, or execution of political dissidents or freethinkers such as Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia shows this. But hundreds of examples occur daily around the world.</span></span></span><br />
<ul><ul>
</ul>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-36166845388874140822015-04-26T22:41:00.001+12:002015-11-21T19:49:33.963+13:00Rattling the cages<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the month of April I was able to temporarily remove my nose from the grindstone in NZ and take time out to visit family and friends back in the UK. Having not been there for almost ten years, there had obviously been some changes there in my absence - and my own perspective has changed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friends and family are a mixed bunch; millionaires and paupers. I visited families whose kids had grown up and either graduated from or were still studying at Oxbridge, those in private schools, those across the full spectrum of state schools. Families of stock market traders, those who had small businesses, those who worked as shop assistants, or secretaries, and those unable to work because of serious health issues and retirees.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Though an atheist myself, I also thought it important to remember and visit graves of friends and family who have passed on; and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banaz_a_Love_Story" target="_blank">Banaz Mahmod</a> who I never knew personally, but she lived close by and is buried in the Muslim section of the graveyard in SW London adjacent to my own family members.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_i9ycxYODZ-sP5HCKWdPpvr59HY3pruL8_Qgfy9_HI8YNOv4DuMO6nTIRvcH8Cg_YdguMb_3kQDf9F9pSp8ZtLCV4SV1Lz0BNebNtNP8h56qOFGujEz9cqeBQbFjULAXX64Haazako2S/s1600/banaz_mahmod_headstone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_i9ycxYODZ-sP5HCKWdPpvr59HY3pruL8_Qgfy9_HI8YNOv4DuMO6nTIRvcH8Cg_YdguMb_3kQDf9F9pSp8ZtLCV4SV1Lz0BNebNtNP8h56qOFGujEz9cqeBQbFjULAXX64Haazako2S/s1600/banaz_mahmod_headstone.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Banaz Mahmod. 16.12.1985 - 24.01.2006. Verily we belong to Allah and unto him is our return. Q. 2:156</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Muslim family members remain in thrall to the ideology when it suits them. Inheritances set according to Sharia principles are inherently unjust, and some women members of the family short-changed by the process are understandably unhappy with their lot. In one case a Muslim community leader died without leaving a written will, but apparently had a conversation with his son expressing his (not unexpected) wish to follow the Sharia. This has resulted in an acrimonious situation between the daughters and sons which escalated to a legal battle lasting years and is currently in stalemate. Yet, these same male family members seem to be flexible on the rules when it suits them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Other friends families have married off sons to their first cousins - with the consequent genetic risks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the same interval, another family friend died from what may be substance abuse or an overdose. The truth is hard to extract from the remaining relatives. What is clear is that he was a mixed up kid who had gone off the rails and was unable to talk about his situation openly with his family. Why? Generational differences; cultural issues; an inability of the older generation to comprehend new situations or move away from the simplistic absolutes they see as enshrined in the Quran, Hadith and Sharia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Several family and friends (young and old) are dependent on external electronic devices for life support. These physical 'cages' allow them to continue living, but restrict their ability to move around as they would wish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Others are suffering the evident ill effects of deep childhood religious indoctrination and/or abuse (emotional/physical). This has a had a deep effect on their ability to live normal lives; working and having normal relationships.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some Christian family members are wracked by guilt over their 'original sin' and seek absolution daily while refusing to acknowledge their mental health issues and continuing to damage those around them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moderate Muslims (even the children) are feeling that they have become classified as extremists, under suspicion and under surveillance. And in a sense they are extremists - all of them; the Muslims and the Christians. They both have firm beliefs in things that are quite irrational, with little or no evidence. They are emotionally bound up in this so that reason becomes an anathema; a tool to be co-opted and twisted to ends that must be served.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The tragic thing is that none of them can see it; their cage; their symbolic universe (as per Berger and Luckmann). None of them is willing to push the boundaries or study any document that might not align with their world view.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On top of all this, the London area now seems to have every inch observed by security cameras, speed cameras, traffic light cameras, bus lane cameras, road toll cameras, supermarket car park cameras; plus congestion zones and low emission zones. So traffic volumes, speed cameras, speed bumps and potholes conspire to make every journey by car a fairly unpleasant experience. The feeling engendered is one of an oppressive big-brother.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for london speed cameras" class="rg_i" data-src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSI6R9w6XgLVDENQzhMSpvw4DojsXg4ooLO8Q6jOWTB_i3LZuBvEA" data-sz="f" name="Toi7Qax8-t6iaM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSI6R9w6XgLVDENQzhMSpvw4DojsXg4ooLO8Q6jOWTB_i3LZuBvEA" style="height: 174px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; width: 290px;" /></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speed camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Overall I came away from the
UK with very mixed feelings; a thankfulness for my own health and (self)
education and the ability to work and to think; and a sorrow that so
many of my friends and relations are imprisoned by mental or physical
restrictions or cages.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So in many ways, despite its shortcomings, I'm glad to return <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span> escape <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to</span> Aotearoa and its relative freedoms again.
</span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-65897673107053431792015-03-28T15:59:00.002+13:002015-03-28T16:03:51.928+13:00I've got the Paua (power)<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New Zealand, led by the 'honourable John Key' finally managed to get elected to the United Nations Security Council <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11343853" target="_blank">back in October 2014</a> (6 months ago now) ahead of Spain and Turkey. Key marketed our bid at the UN and around the Pacific as one that would provide representation for the small states, giving them a voice. A friendly big brother who would look after their interests.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It seemed to me that this was all really something of an ego-trip for Mr Key; simply giving him the chance to play with the big boys and feel good about himself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So how has this played out ... this representation of the smaller states? Have they seen any benefits? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In early March 2015 it was revealed that the <a href="http://www.gcsb.govt.nz/" target="_blank">NZ GCSB</a> has been spying on our Pacific Islands for some time and conducting 'mass collection', effectively collecting all electronic data available. There was then some debate about the legality of this, because NZ law makes it illegal for our Government to spy on NZ citizens without a warrant. We then had a series of <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11416244" target="_blank">debates about the rather fine distinction</a> between 'mass data collection' and 'mass surveillance'. GCSB might be collecting data from New Zealand citizens in the Pacific, but they (apparently) filter this out somehow, so it is not 'surveillance' and remains legal according to NZ law. So we're all OK with that then ...(?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The question still remains - how do our Pacific neighbours feel about being spied on? Now the fact that this is going on is public knowledge, <a href="http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503423&objectid=11418654" target="_blank">does that allow <i>them</i> to feel more secure?</a> There has been no real public debate about that in NZ. Yet again, its all about our own interests.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-36737968810214625222015-02-28T23:37:00.005+13:002015-03-07T23:15:43.812+13:00Frankly my dear ... <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I recently had the privilege of reading a book written by a British author, Mathew Hopkins, entitled <i>Unholy Islamic Mess</i> (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unholy-Islamic-Mess-Mathew-Hopkins-ebook/dp/B00T4Y7PTC/" target="_blank">available on Amazon</a>). This provides a </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">humorous yet </span>intelligent, and thought-provoking look at many facets of Muslim integration (or the lack of it) into Western nations. Hopkins is not an academic, nor a politician, and is not bound by conventional thinking. Yet he evidently knows his topic well and provides some radical and obviously tongue-in-cheek solutions to the issues. Obviously some of these ideas will never fly, but it is good to put them on the table and at least consider them. Hopkins reveals his religious views to be Deist, or as he terms it, 'a non-aligned believer'. There are occasionally weaknesses or logical flaws in his arguments but they are minor. However, the real strength of his book is also its greatest weakness - Hopkins presents logical options and hopes that logic and rationality will prevail; but religion is not based on logic and people do not make decisions based on logic - we are all ultimately driven by emotion.<br /><br />Despite my misgivings about the title and initial expectations about the book, Hopkins is not bigoted, racist or patronising. Among many other issues, he appreciates the serious challenges that face apostates from Islam and goes as far as to suggest that the (Western/secular) State provides taxpayer funds to assist them with quite extensive support and rehabilitation programmes. <br /><br />As an apostate myself, while I don't see this as ever </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">likely to</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> happen, it does highlight (again) the problem of the attitude of Western Kiwis to ex-Muslims. At its very best, when the topic is raised we just get a blank look, no questions, no helpful comments, no direct comments at all; just total indifference... *crickets chirping*... However, the more normal reaction, seems to be hostility and childish ridicule behind your back, yet within earshot. Most sadly this was true even of those I had previously considered to be friends. Personally, to date, I have received absolutely zero moral support. Quite the reverse in fact.<br /><br />I can only describe this as odd. Kiwis totally failed to live up to my prior, perhaps naive, hopes and expectations of basic decency. Is this ignorance or arrogance on their part? If it is ignorance, it is wilful, since they have had endless opportunities to ask and discuss. Yet it was as if a switch was flicked and l</span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">ike the Borg Collective they simultaneously froze me out</span></span> and I was treated as some kind of leper. All eye contact was avoided by them and an exclusion zone was imposed. Frankly they just don't give a damn about anyone or anything else outside their own comfortable </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">little </span>world. Given that an apostate cannot talk to Muslim community members or their own family about the topic either, this can be a little unsettling, shall we say. Trying to put an optimistic spin on it, perhaps this may be attributed to a misguided attempt at political correctness - a wish to avoid saying anything that could potentially offend. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">However, in the case of my previous Borg 'friends' I don't think an optimistic view is justified. Friendship carries responsibilities with it. They had a choice, they chose poorly. </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">'Friends' ... who were incapable of responding in any useful manner to a request for help to talk through apostasy issues and impacts. Taking a charitable view perhaps their lack of a recipe response was a problem. But honestly, how hard is it to simply ask questions and have a chat about things? It's just normal civilised behaviour. My expectations were not terribly high, yet they could not even grasp the most elementary level of what is colloquially known as 'common' decency. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This is something where I was so appalled by <a href="http://www.alternet.org/culture/social-death-penalty-why-being-ostracized-hurts-even-more-bullying" target="_blank">their behaviour</a> which can only be described as bullying that even years after the events, it stilI has an impact; I still mull it over almost daily and ask myself what could I have done differently? As I see it, there was absolutely no excuse for their behaviour.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Perhaps I just happen to know an unusually high number of zombies. </span>In response, the natural reaction on my part is to say to those people (you know who you are) - well just f**k off then, I'll manage on my own thanks.<br /><br />So, returning to Mathew Hopkins' Unholy Islamic Mess, I would recommend that all Western Muslims should read it. It will provide valuable insights into how non-Muslims and Westerners see you. It will perhaps help you to see yourselves. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also a good read for your average Pakeha Kiwi, Zombie or Borg. Definitely food for thought all round.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGUUUq4iW9QzEegqmntPOkXDGc-g8W6jIMFFZUgHwn64KpzhFeQ017YEP4wTUcc9iY4mEJhoTKB9Bo0HAWNUFyS_ZdLgHRgpYhthzvxb75qzCIiyQ1mmyy6JxFrInhdQ_1DLmWSImlIYT/s1600/borg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGUUUq4iW9QzEegqmntPOkXDGc-g8W6jIMFFZUgHwn64KpzhFeQ017YEP4wTUcc9iY4mEJhoTKB9Bo0HAWNUFyS_ZdLgHRgpYhthzvxb75qzCIiyQ1mmyy6JxFrInhdQ_1DLmWSImlIYT/s1600/borg2.jpg" height="258" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Borg - incapable of independent thought</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-84464908619090448752015-02-15T13:27:00.000+13:002015-02-15T13:29:49.549+13:00So ... you're all OK with this then?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, DAESH (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span class="st">al-Dawla al-Islamiya al-Iraq al-Sham or </span>the so-called 'Islamic State') have surpassed themselves yet again. Demonstrating their arrogance, ignorance, stupidity and cruelty by burning Moaz al-Kasasbeh alive, recording and publishing the act. It really defies belief that these people can think that this is justifiable in any way. Yes, this pilot was on a bombing mission, but this was itself a very late response to the months of hellish tyranny that DAESH have imposed on civilians in Iraq and Syria. Every day brings news of further tragedies.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">IS generated a fatwa (religious ruling) that supports them - and actually this wasn't too difficult to do. There are many verses of the Quran and hadith that support acts of horrendous violence in retribution for relatively trivial things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the other hand we have moderate Muslims decrying this, saying 'not in my name, ours is a religion of peace'. Even this reaction has been very subdued in New Zealand. In our little cloud-cuckoo-land Muslims seem to be quite oblivious to what is going on. At a weekend gathering of Muslims, conversation was about local trivialities and terrorism in Pakistan (supposedly instigated and supported by the US of course). Despite prodding the conversation in the direction of ISIL, every prompt was side-stepped. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Public reaction by the New Zealand Muslim community to Daesh atrocities pretty much amounts to Zero. Nada. Null. Silence. Don't know, don't care. Nothing to do with me.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In private, if you can get any reaction at all, the usual ridiculous conspiracy theories are dragged up - its those American Jews that are behind it all obviously, in league with Israel somehow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">From a public perspective, silence is interpreted as consent. So you're all OK with this then? </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maybe we're living in some kind of lunatic asylum, where the patients have taken over.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">At the tail-end of this week, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari made a brief visit to NZ and, treading carefully, <a href="http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/333013/nz-invited-help-iraq" target="_blank">invited (not requested) assistance</a> from us. The form of that asistance (if anything) is likely to be humanitarian and training of Iraqi troops rather than anything else. But it seems there is a real lack of willingness to get involved in any way whatsoever, in many quarters. Opponents point to the massive investment that the US previously put into training the Iraqi military, which seems to have amounted to nothing when faced with a real situation. So agreed; NZ involvement needs careful consideration, but to do nothing (or delaying) also raises all kinds of ethical difficulties. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">NZ policy to date, seems to have been ignore them, wait as long as possible and maybe they'll just go away. This is simply wishful thinking - but in keeping with the parochial attitudes prevalent here. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-66396496556135762062015-01-17T23:33:00.001+13:002015-01-17T23:34:24.405+13:00Them and us. Is integration possible?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The BBC <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBi_hDhR7GQ" target="_blank">Panorama program on 13 Jan 2015</a> highlighted issues with Islamic extremism in the UK. One of the key sources of extremism identified was that Muslims are taught to think of themselves as separate, different, better than non-Muslims. Yet at the same time, they also taught that they are 'oppressed' and 'voiceless' victims, a view reinforced constantly by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_Channel" target="_blank">Islam Channel in the UK</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The Panorama program clearly implied that it was Muslims who need to stop thinking of 'them and us' in order to integrate better. I totally agree with this. But it needs to be a two-way street and also very much applies to non-Muslims. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In New Zealand, I have experienced an absolutely extraordinary stand-offish attitude from Pakeha Kiwi non-Muslims who suspect or hear rumours that I might be Muslim. As I mentioned previously, the 'Cone of Silence' is rigorously applied and possibly contentious subjects are avoided at all costs. Any social talk is severely curtailed and trust is quite obviously in short supply. This is in stark contrast to the UK where I have found people will at least engage in conversation and ask questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So, 'Houston we have a problem'. In NZ it is absolutely a 'them and us' situation, instigated, and promulgated by Kiwis for Kiwis... Even if we're not quite sure who 'they' are, but we suspect they might possibly be different. Best not talk to them, Eh. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Integration? Forget it - we're fighting a losing battle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ9dwpOiqZ6MJPNL-JK4W2IaoEZ0EgrUQ88k749K9AXbVTYtAylKlG1vPR3Sjab_u_naZ2uNM6unLrmSWqj88cnnpen6CtEs9JeEggMQGWdCG-74smC4O603rteyPGQrwuvrGk5V29ZmF/s1600/pogo_met_enemy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ9dwpOiqZ6MJPNL-JK4W2IaoEZ0EgrUQ88k749K9AXbVTYtAylKlG1vPR3Sjab_u_naZ2uNM6unLrmSWqj88cnnpen6CtEs9JeEggMQGWdCG-74smC4O603rteyPGQrwuvrGk5V29ZmF/s1600/pogo_met_enemy.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As Pogo said (in a different context) ...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-30446536069445997582015-01-10T13:58:00.001+13:002015-01-12T21:01:16.136+13:00Fifty shades of grey?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXYiQNOg79f2ghQ6RutqVVcDqgArNs3xdb5pp-KQg0uTp4OCmou3Dfe8bNJAMRjYUKTk8mdPGVX0SVr2VDMAqa4Ynmk2o7JaBeFla6Iel6O9Dd2mOt288oW0PndDsmZHTDrG0Wt1vrWju/s1600/charlie_asterix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRXYiQNOg79f2ghQ6RutqVVcDqgArNs3xdb5pp-KQg0uTp4OCmou3Dfe8bNJAMRjYUKTk8mdPGVX0SVr2VDMAqa4Ynmk2o7JaBeFla6Iel6O9Dd2mOt288oW0PndDsmZHTDrG0Wt1vrWju/s1600/charlie_asterix.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the wake of the murders in Paris of Charlie Hebdo staff and those at a Kosher supermarket, along with French Police killed in the line of duty, there has yet again been an outpouring of utter bulls*t as those ignorant of the background and issues reveal their prejudices. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">State Representative <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_R._Bennett" target="_blank">John Bennet (Tulsa, Oklahoma)</a>, yet again <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/homepagelatest/state-representative-calls-on-muslim-group-to-condemn-sections-of/article_6d70ea56-9b56-57eb-a20f-5e3f3498111d.html" target="_blank">confused Islam with Muslims</a> and he used both terms in a very general sense.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Islam is what Muslims practice, and perhaps the diagram below may help? </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tyQUfwYkWshyphenhyphenabijYhEV8UffrKLlGga3QjNxtFqg9p5EGbeAzlxX1nNcKrJ_vLN4UZB-UwKOVTU6i-6nfcCDN3NjW9zQGgmKdutt_lXTbGJCwiv_etCZskhbWuRsZ4RZsSNhWSj0yy7n/s1600/Islamic+Sources+Pyramid.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tyQUfwYkWshyphenhyphenabijYhEV8UffrKLlGga3QjNxtFqg9p5EGbeAzlxX1nNcKrJ_vLN4UZB-UwKOVTU6i-6nfcCDN3NjW9zQGgmKdutt_lXTbGJCwiv_etCZskhbWuRsZ4RZsSNhWSj0yy7n/s1600/Islamic+Sources+Pyramid.PNG" height="237" title="Sources of Islam" width="400" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In this inverted pyramid, there is an increasing level of interpretation in higher layers. That interpretation changes over time, as do the norms of any society. There are obviously feedback links between Personal and Societal interpretations. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over centuries there has been general movement to more peaceful interpretations but a small number of fundamentalists want to drag it back to the past, by creating division both between and within societies, polarising groups, delaying or reversing any integration.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Shariah, is the scholarly interpretation of Qur'an Hadith and Sunnah, providing legislation of what is allowed and penalties for disobedience. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Sunnah, is the things the prophet is said to have done, providing an example for believers.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Hadith are a collection of thousands of reported non-Quranic sayings of the prophet Mohammad and his close companions.</span></span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Qur'an is believed to be the word of Allah / God, revealed to Muhammad by the angel Gibreel (Gabriel).</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">So where is Islam in this? It's hard to put your finger on it. Islam is what Muslims practice - and this is obviously their own personal interpretation, which can vary widely.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As an aside, I mentioned that there are feedback links between personal interpretations and societal interpretations, simply because society is composed of individuals. However, (and this is more contentious) looking back over hundreds of years, it is evident that there has been feedback between all layers of this diagram. The Sunnah is derived from the Hadith, or those same sources. And there is no question that the Hadith were manufactured by various parties to suit political purposes and then filtered and culled based on their 'reliability'. There is also evidence that the Quran has changed over time - even the Hadith comment on this.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What we can clearly infer from this confusion, is that Islam means different things to different people in different times and places. Fifty shades of grey? No, about 1.6 billion shades of grey. And of course each individual believes their personal interpretation to <span style="color: #0000ee;">be </span>the correct one. These views can be generalised, grouped or categorised in a crude fashion, but this oversimplifies matters.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile Boko Haram in North Eastern Nigeria, in the same week, have clocked up a death toll many, many times that of the Paris killings and no-one seems to bat an eyelid. No messages of support from the US or condolences from world leaders. Around the world in the same period there will have been countless other Islamist attacks and there are <a href="http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/" target="_blank">websites that track these</a>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes the attacks are simply seen as revenge or part of a local feud, but these attacks are all essentially ultimately intended to destabilise the local situation, creating division between and within communities, with the intention of bringing about changes whereby an Islamist or Islamic governance can be implemented. But, whose version of Islam....?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">However, to finish up, lets get this in perspective. The vast majority of Muslims (and especially those in Western nations) do not wish to force their views upon other by violent means. <a href="http://casadeblundell.com/" target="_blank">Jonathan Blundell</a> distributed a nice Venn diagram to show the context. Thanks John.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://casadeblundell.com/jonathan/wp-content/uploads/venn-diagram-al-qaeda-islam-muslims.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://casadeblundell.com/jonathan/wp-content/uploads/venn-diagram-al-qaeda-islam-muslims.jpg" height="328" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_rPGr8XaVnypiOm0U02OsJnzP-fHPMpuVjBG-q2qLnMjriH_PZPiVL8UFR5vJucgMqRAOkgJBdv25C9TAwwCDeC0hyb6EKShlxOpWGqPWML-_mD-mDrYsiF1WrLTeclp5t_kAp2Loxtr/s1600/charlie_allah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></span></span><br /></a></div>
<hr />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_rPGr8XaVnypiOm0U02OsJnzP-fHPMpuVjBG-q2qLnMjriH_PZPiVL8UFR5vJucgMqRAOkgJBdv25C9TAwwCDeC0hyb6EKShlxOpWGqPWML-_mD-mDrYsiF1WrLTeclp5t_kAp2Loxtr/s1600/charlie_allah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_rPGr8XaVnypiOm0U02OsJnzP-fHPMpuVjBG-q2qLnMjriH_PZPiVL8UFR5vJucgMqRAOkgJBdv25C9TAwwCDeC0hyb6EKShlxOpWGqPWML-_mD-mDrYsiF1WrLTeclp5t_kAp2Loxtr/s1600/charlie_allah.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDrNZOADE__WqcqG6jjojJp8L-MTQs3J8n6yOmejkqN2Uze-j1CX6yr0Hy2tR9BtDTTR3x-Kyt9xO9WF3CaKqdttvHfXN3GsGYPgIf6ciNBfBx_FVUCrcKDKuZVHYTbIMvw5MQFIVzl2J/s1600/charlie_finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDrNZOADE__WqcqG6jjojJp8L-MTQs3J8n6yOmejkqN2Uze-j1CX6yr0Hy2tR9BtDTTR3x-Kyt9xO9WF3CaKqdttvHfXN3GsGYPgIf6ciNBfBx_FVUCrcKDKuZVHYTbIMvw5MQFIVzl2J/s1600/charlie_finger.jpg" height="106" width="200" /></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-58848345749608392942015-01-07T00:28:00.002+13:002015-01-19T12:11:51.550+13:00Reality is taboo (tapu) in NZ<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet again, I have to express my disappointment with my fellow secular Kiwi countrymen and women. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You might expect that Kiwis would enjoy a meaningful debate or even a conversation about perennial topics such as philosophy, religion, politics and human rights.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yet, it seems that their apparently intelligent and caring nature is merely a paper-thin veneer, hiding shallow, ignorant personalities that are incapable of dealing with nothing more challenging than discussion of TV shows, cars or sport. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I don’t know the reason, but I believe it must stem from their physically isolated geographic location. It seems to me that most Kiwis are hiding from something - I suspect it is from themselves. They appear to be incapable of honest reflection on their own individual lives and their place in the world; or if they are occasionally capable of it, they then run away and hide behind a mask of banal triviality. It is as if they are sleep-walking through life.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Generally, ex-muslims (deviants) such as myself, are all too painfully aware of the minute-by-minute onslaught of stupid behaviour around the world by Muslims and others. These behaviours are primarily driven by ignorance (wilful or otherwise) and it is painful to watch. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />Yet Kiwis are painfully ignorant (innocent? naive?) of the situations facing others around the world and even locally. In my experience, when I have attempted to gently allude to some of the situations, I would have expected their natural curiosity to lead to questions and a useful conversation. However, the conversation simply gets diverted or shut down - sometimes quite aggressively. In the worst case, a gentle attempt at opening discussions with Kiwis sadly led to complete and immediate termination of what had previously been good working relationships. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The other alternative Kiwis tend to adopt is a ridiculous metaphorical '<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_of_Silence" target="_blank">cone of silence</a>' whereby anything that could potentially lead to a conversation about known taboo topics is nipped in the bud, deftly steered away from or whispered about almost out of earshot.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82PDFsBq81xfmo_hjTDOT4QMznujfT82r-01uLRVv60C2f3IjKcogf6YPkDznHtbBgK8dr1S07zFOzPObmaVDYNexJoMDhGNhiVdO8H8PTIYRW04lV0IhE0ZpnZy0BcsQR8l83hm87hd5/s1600/getsmart-conesilence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82PDFsBq81xfmo_hjTDOT4QMznujfT82r-01uLRVv60C2f3IjKcogf6YPkDznHtbBgK8dr1S07zFOzPObmaVDYNexJoMDhGNhiVdO8H8PTIYRW04lV0IhE0ZpnZy0BcsQR8l83hm87hd5/s1600/getsmart-conesilence.jpg" height="221" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Get Smart - Cone of Silence</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Perhaps <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Social-Construction-Reality-Sociology/dp/0385058985" target="_blank">Berger and Luckmann's</a> concept of 'recipe knowledge' is applicable here. A sudden exposure to a different reality is not something Kiwis have a pre-defined response or recipe for. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In my experience, the British on the other hand have quite a different set of behaviours, they have a much broader outlook and set of experiences from which to work and they'll dive straight in, ask questions and have a debate. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">New Zealand needs to wake up and join the rest of the world. They need to be face their fears, get informed and educated (not indoctrinated or propagandised) read a bunch of books, ask questions and seek real answers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
Maybe I'm asking too much. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back in 1967 Berger and Luckmann described reality as being a social construct with people inhabiting parallel universes; physically in the same location but interpreted differently by people based on their prior socialisation. What we're seeing is exactly this. How do we bridge the gaps between those universes?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The book describes 'two applications of universe maintaining conceptual machinery : therapy and nihilation'. I had identified these two things myself and had been referring to them in my own metaphorical slang as the egg-shellers and the barge-polers. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The egg-shellers (therapists) will gently tiptoe around the deviant, remaining ever sensitive to anything that might upset things and gently try to rehabilitate the deviant, bringing them back into line; the 'cone of silence' being one of these methods. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the other hand the barge-polers (nihilists) will try to destroy the deviant in often an often quite unsubtle manner - but will not come close enough to develop a relationship or risk becoming tainted with deviancy; it will all be done at a distance using a metaphorical barge-pole. These people are often too cowardly to engage in direct conversation or debate, but will intimidate and bully indirectly ensuring their message gets across, but not saying or doing anything that could be responded to directly. A direct message might </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">expose them to a direct response or even a rational adult conversation - and that would never do!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">New Zealand and the rest of the world, desperately needs some rational bridge-building, to open up viewpoints between these various universes.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-25841396160427124302014-12-07T21:05:00.001+13:002014-12-07T21:05:12.626+13:00What is the matter with these people?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Muslims in NZ are apparently suffering a greater incidence of negative discrimination, verbal abuse and psychological pressure in recent days. A recent article in the <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/63881273/Is-New-Zealand-discriminating-against-Muslims" target="_blank">Dominion Post</a> highlighted the issue, as did <a href="http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/260967/muslims-facing-discrimination-in-nz" target="_blank">Radio New Zealand</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />The negativity directed at NZ Muslims is not unique to NZ and not a new thing. We have suffered varying degrees of the same appalling nonsense since 9/11 2001 all around the world. The recent spate is presumably generated as a result of the media reporting ISIL executions of Westerners and / or media reporting of the <a href="http://www.legislation.govt.nz/bill/government/2014/0001/latest/DLM6316017.html#DLM6316022" target="_blank">Countering Terrorist Fighters Legislation Bill</a>, that is making its way through Parliament now. Both of these put Muslims in a bad light, as terrorists or potential terrorists. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">What this really shows, is evidence of previous and ongoing poor reporting and bias in NZ news media. This is combined with, and also partially responsible for, utter ignorance in the NZ public domain about what most Western Muslims believe or stand for. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I'm sure that the idiots who direct abuse at Muslims are unaware that is is Muslims themselves who have by far suffered the greatest number of casualties at the hands of ISIL, and continue to do so. The Western hostages killed represent a tiny fraction of the total - but they get relatively huge amounts of news coverage in NZ and the West. This is precisely the aim of the terrorists. Why are we playing their game?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">NZ reporting bias was again seen in recent coverage of Unites States police brutality. This is a critical issue - if you cannot trust the law to be enforced fairly where does it leave you? We all expect better of the US. However, I would suggest the uprising has been given greater airtime and focus in NZ because it is an event in a country seen as Western and 'white' by NZ and therefore more important than events in countries populated by brown people. Tragedies and struggles of brown people around the world are ignored by NZ while we focus on the everyday utterly trivial events in NZ.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />Where are the values of New Zealanders? We seem to be living in an unthinking uncaring, inward looking society, driven by greed and self-interest.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Certainly #blacklivesmatter ... brown lives matter too. All lives matter. Where is the compassion? NZ is being manipulated by the media, and not in a good way.</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-16996734369936477232014-11-30T13:38:00.003+13:002014-11-30T18:00:16.581+13:00La-La-La-La ... I'm not listening<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New Zealanders fortunately have never really experienced much in the way of terrorism on their shores. Perhaps the attack on the Greenpeace ship, Rainbow Warrior, in 1985 was the closest we have come to it in Godzone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">That however was a targeted attack by the French government intelligence services under Opération Satanique. It was not designed to terrorise the population at large. So Kiwis - and especially the native born ones who have not lived overseas for any appreciable length of time - really cannot appreciate what much of the rest of the world has to go through on a daily basis.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />Perhaps because of this, Kiwis seem quite unable to identify with the victims of terrorism: neither the direct victims nor those indirect victims who suffer the fear of an attack. It would seem that the majority of the population sees an attack as an unrealistic scenario in NZ. At this time, this is probably a reasonably valid assumption. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This nevertheless is no excuse for the behaviour I have witnessed repeatedly here, which is to m</span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">ake light of, crack jokes about and generally belittle the victims overseas. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This apparent total lack of an ability to identify with the situation overseas dehumanises the victims and makes Kiwis no better than the aggressors such as ISIL. Kiwis are essentially shallow individuals with no understanding. Don’t know, don’t care, not listening, la-la-la-la .....</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2319211571368388191.post-43141031688337397072014-11-22T12:26:00.000+13:002014-11-22T17:25:07.709+13:00Aotearoa - Cloud Cuckoo Land<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Maori, the early migrants to New Zealand, named this place Aotearoa meaning 'land of the long white cloud'. Since the arrival of the Europeans perhaps it should more properly be referred to as 'Cloud Cuckoo Land' - because it seems the vast majority of its inhabitants are living in some strange mental fantasy and not in the real world at all. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New Zealanders remind me of the three Japanese monkeys of the Koshin. Mizaru, covering his eyes, who sees no evil; Kikazaru, covering his
ears, who hears no evil; and Iwazaru, covering his mouth, who speaks no
evil. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.three-monkeys.info/index-Dateien/image005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.three-monkeys.info/index-Dateien/image005.jpg" height="229" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In fact, NZ attempts to mimic the behaviour of all these and also the fourth monkey Shizaru, who symbolises the principle of 'do no evil'. Often shown crossing his arms.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Why do I say this? Because the media here clearly censor the news and focus almost exclusively on what are, in a global context, banal and trivial events that occur in NZ. Why might this censorship be imposed? It is simply a reflection of the interests of New Zealanders.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">New Zealanders have no idea what is going on in the rest of the world and neither to they want to know. Their underlying fear is that if they were to become cognisant, they would then perhaps be obliged to think, to feel some responsibility and maybe even do something. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Kiwi conversation revolves around sport, food and drink, celebrity gossip and ... well that's about it really. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So why are NZ not proposing to engage in any kind of combat role in Iraq and Syria (or anywhere else) against ISIL? It seems to be a lack of courage driven by a lack of commitment, in turn driven by a lack of responsibility.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This is driven by the lack of public interest in the rest of the world. We really do not want to know thank you. We like our little fantasy world down here, hidden away at the bottom of the map. Is it any coincidence that Wellington airport has a huge sign welcoming visitors to the 'middle of Middle Earth'?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zb5FlnnjNv2VXwq9Y7g_CEuKgd1QT35PGGW7fIxgjJ13wtsLUCDspUkFqQTSLZE0XJ0yxb14k9v3atzxvhLLGHfNCA2U7nF_B62L7obkQ-tjJ7DYc4Qk08tBWPU2F3u8eG0VeTqr55D/s320/P1070300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-zb5FlnnjNv2VXwq9Y7g_CEuKgd1QT35PGGW7fIxgjJ13wtsLUCDspUkFqQTSLZE0XJ0yxb14k9v3atzxvhLLGHfNCA2U7nF_B62L7obkQ-tjJ7DYc4Qk08tBWPU2F3u8eG0VeTqr55D/s320/P1070300.JPG" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10046005909928296889noreply@blogger.com0