"Love thy enemy": Some thoughts on Paris

[amorphous_constellation]

What can we say about each side's choice of targets? Is there moral equivalency?

One place that never is a target is Saudi Arabia, worldwide Muslim adherents probably would find that too infuriating.

 

[Shusha]

Were you living under a rock for the past 2 years? The West has been bombing IS with God knows how much bombs and you expect IS to do nothing in return?

Where did I say I expected ISIS to do nothing in return? I only countered your argument that Islamic ideology (a certain brand of it) had nothing to do with the actions of ISIS.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

I agree what ISIS is doing is horrible but my point is they are killing muslims and non muslims.It has nothing to so with Islam..their agenda is political and they are using islam in a way that suits their political agenda.

Does Islam have any component in it that is naturally political? If so, how is it properly interpreted.

 

[Useless2015]

And continuing this neutral position, let's compare what was attacked.

ISIS bombed a concert hall, a stadium, and two restaurants.

France bombed an army command center, a jihadi recruitment center, a terrorist training camp, and an ammunition storage base.

What can we say about each side's choice of targets? Is there moral equivalency?

I don't know. I find both equally evil.

Where did I say I expected ISIS to do nothing in return? I only countered your argument that Islamic ideology (a certain brand of it) had nothing to do with the actions of ISIS.

It doesn't. As i said, it has everything to do with warfare. The fact that you do expect IS to do something in return shows its not islaamic.

 

[JoStories]

Keep in mind that he didn't provide any information about that video and that Muslims in Myanmar have been committing atrocities against Buddhists there.

That is very true Frank and I thank you for pointing that out to me. I should have noticed. All I wanted to say at that time was that while some Buddhists have been extremely violent, IMO, they are the opposite of what The Buddha taught.

 

[Useless2015]

That is very true Frank and I thank you for pointing that out to me. I should have noticed. All I wanted to say at that time was that while some Buddhists have been extremely violent, IMO, they are the opposite of what The Buddha taught.

At that time, you mean a month ago?
As i said, you should send a message to the Budhist monks and inform them that Budha does not teach this. Obviously, you know something these monks don't know.

 

[JoStories]

"Loving your enemies" is ridiculous. I would personally brutally murder every single member of ISIS and imprison those who support jihadism.

I respect that as your opinion Frank but I would say that I would enact the opposite if possible. I am not a person who favors war for any reason, even though I was a part of and a veteran of one war. I went to that war to care for the man harmed. Nothing more. I came back and continued as I had before, protesting Nam with everything I had but I did this nonviolently.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I don't know. I find both equally evil.

Wtf? You find targeting the military installations of a psychopathic group of genocidal, murderous fanatics who are committing crimes against humanity to be just as bad as massacring innocent people who are just out having a fun night on the town to be "equally evil"? Is this what Islam has taught you?!

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I respect that as your opinion Frank but I would say that I would enact the opposite if possible. I am not a person who favors war for any reason, even though I was a part of and a veteran of one war. I went to that war to care for the man harmed. Nothing more. I came back and continued as I had before, protesting Nam with everything I had but I did this nonviolently.

I'm not a pacifist. ISIS must be exterminated for the good of all humanity.

 

[JoStories]

At that time, you mean a month ago?
As i said, you should send a message to the Budhist monks and inform them that Budha does not teach this. Obviously, you know something these monks don't know.

I meant that as for when the time I was responding to you. And as for other Buddhists, as Buddhism teaches, I cannot teach anyone anything. I can learn from you, and perhaps I can share my views but one can only walk one's own path to enlightenment. Mine, at this time, is nonviolent and maintains a vegetarian lifestyle. I do not support those Buddhists who are violent, save in defense of one's own life but even then, I would be hard pressed to defend my own. If you truly want my life, I am not that attached to it. OTOH, threaten my mother and my 12 gauge will welcome you at my door.

 

[JoStories]

I'm not a pacifist. ISIS must be exterminated for the good of all humanity.

I understand that you feel that way Frank and so do lots of others. Its not an opinion I share. I can't agree. I'm sorry.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I understand that you feel that way Frank and so do lots of others. Its not an opinion I share. I can't agree. I'm sorry.

Well, I can't say that I understand your opinion. What should we do? Offer them flowers and a hug?

 

[Shusha]

It doesn't. As i said, it has everything to do with warfare. The fact that you do expect IS to do something in return shows its not islaamic.

Its warfare driven by a religious Islamic ideology.

 

[JoStories]

However at this point in time only ISIS/ISIL is vile.

Not really. How are the WBC and Phelps not vile? How about those people in Florida? The landover church or whatever it is. What about Scientologists? There are vile members to be found in all faiths. Not just Islam. This bias is as close to bigotry as it gets and God knows I loathe that stuff.

 

[Useless2015]

Wtf? You find targeting the military installations of a psychopathic group of genocidal, murderous fanatics who are committing crimes against humanity to be just as bad as massacring innocent people who are just out having a fun night on the town to be "equally evil"? Is this what Islam has taught you?!

I am speaking for myself not Islaam. I find violence of any sort evil. 3 weeks ago America bombed a hospital because there were terrorists inside. Turns out there were no terrorists, only sick babies. But he, who cares right?

 

[JoStories]

Well, I can't say that I understand your opinion. What should we do? Offer them flowers and a hug?

Of course not. How about talks? Peaceful talks mediated by a third nonvested party. I am sick of governments led by people like The Shrub...I mean Bush, thinking we are the biggest and the baddest and the best. Bull sh**. We are far from it. We need to tend to our own issues and leave them alone unless they hit us. We did hit them back after 9/11 you realize. Why should we continue to act like the world's police when we cannot police our own?

 

[JoStories]

The attacks by ISIS have everything to do with Islam. They are attempting to bring about religious prophecies by drawing the West into a war which they believe with religious fervor that they are going to win. The goal is to assert Sharia law over the world.

By a few radical extremists. Do you really think that ISIS speaks for all of Islam and all Muslims? I know some wonderful friends who happen to be Muslim. So what? Does that make them terrorists? Hell no.

 

[IndigoStorm]

Even though i am an Atheist

Not really. How are the WBC and Phelps not vile? How about those people in Florida? The landover church or whatever it is. What about Scientologists? There are vile members to be found in all faiths. Not just Islam. This bias is as close to bigotry as it gets and God knows I loathe that stuff.

Substitute killers for "vile" and you will get my point.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Of course not. How about talks? Peaceful talks mediated by a third nonvested party. I am sick of governments led by people like The Shrub...I mean Bush, thinking we are the biggest and the baddest and the best. Bull sh**. We are far from it. We need to tend to our own issues and leave them alone unless they hit us. We did hit them back after 9/11 you realize. Why should we continue to act like the world's police when we cannot police our own?

You really don't understand the mentality of ISIS. They are not rational people with some grievance with the West. They are extreme Islamic religious fundamentalists who believe they are playing a role in bringing on the end of the world. They are a crazed cult. You cannot negotiate with such people. They are out of their minds.

Everyone really needs to read this: http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/03/what-isis-really-wants/384980/

 

[SkepticThinker]

I don't know. I find both equally evil.



It doesn't. As i said, it has everything to do with warfare. The fact that you do expect IS to do something in return shows its not islaamic.

You seriously think both of those actions are equally evil? How can you justify such a position?