Hateful chatter behind the veil

[Veiled Princess 1]

You are reading it completely wrong. I don't even know where to start explaining it, if that's how you took my post. But I'll give it a try!

A radical is anything of extremes. I'm talking about unbalanced compared to the norm. My 'familiar ground' is the Christian faith so I'll draw an example from that. There are say, 2 million Christians in a country. 5% of them seclude themseves from society completely (radical in their asceticism). 5% of them bomb abortion clinics (radical in their vigilence). The Bible, from my years of learning in it, doesn't tell it's followers to take themselves physically out of contact with other people, nor does it say to vindicate God's Will regarding the sanctity of feotal life by injuring/killing others. The people that follow those pathways may truly believe that what they're doing is the "correct" thing in God's eyes, with precedent from the Bible. Each of those 5% would be radical...a significant deviation from the 'norm' or 'standard'. And 5% of 2 million is 100,000 people, so a group that large could give the impression of normalcy, even when it isn't the norm within the religion.

Of those of the Muslim faith I've met in 'real' life and on this board, most strike me as fairly peaceful, balanced people, not wishing murderous harm against people because of a difference of religion or country. Of course I don't know for sure (who could), but I don't think many of them are at extreme ends of the spectrum. Of course, the true 'radicals' don't usually hang out on Visajourney.

My comments on yin-yang and balance were simply because I was trying to explain the concept that most religions I've studied have a series of checks and balances within the religion. For example the Bible tells it's proponents to have faith, to do God's Will, to actively proclaim him and his wonders, and to love one another. So while a Christian may feel the need to have a certain opinion or stand as dictated by their interpretation of the scriptures, they are to temper it with love. I admit I don't know anywhere near as much about Islam, but what I do know of it leads me to think that it would have the same checks and balances within its structure. For example I've seen some of the females of Muslim faith defend marriage contracts and how it's supposed to work and be beneficial to both parties.

Radicals tend to not follow the checks and balances, favoring or weighing some rules/laws more heavily than others. Most Christians know "That shalt not kill" and yet history shows some have gone to war and killed because someone doesn't think like they do. I believe the same is true of most major religions today.

And just to be clear (I hope ), just because someone has a different belief system than I do, I wouldn't label them radical. I'm labelling a radical as someone who is vastly different from the 'average' person of faith within the same religion, either more so or less so. We tend to hear more about those who are more so...the person who has withdrawn from society to live on a mountain top is not usually the one in the limelight.

I hope that helped.

edit: I used the 5% as an example so I could do the math. I suspect that a 'radical' group would be far less than 5% of a religion/community.

OK we're on the same page now. Thanks

Edited July 6, 2006 by veiledprincesslayla

[incanada1234 0]

Why don't y'all like Hilary?

I mean, other than for personal reasons...

Um, because she's evil? She's a feminazi who panders to whoever will get her votes. She's a flaming liberal but oh, is it almost election time? Looks like she's all of a sudden a moderate. I almost think she's worse than her husband. You literally couldn't PAY me to vote for someone like her.

[chocolaterie 0]

hmm... seems like something went gravely wrong somewhere in these womens lives. I remember in my high school days the people who sat next to me were muslim. We always got along so well, upbringing must truly be the ultimate indicator. If they hate Canada so much, why don't they just leave? sounds like a lot of whining.

[Fuzzness 2]

Why don't y'all like Hilary?

I mean, other than for personal reasons...

Um, because she's evil? She's a feminazi who panders to whoever will get her votes. She's a flaming liberal but oh, is it almost election time? Looks like she's all of a sudden a moderate. I almost think she's worse than her husband. You literally couldn't PAY me to vote for someone like her.

admit it... you just hate her because she doesn't have the same views and opinions as you do...

[incanada1234 0]

admit it... you just hate her because she doesn't have the same views and opinions as you do...

Well obviously. And all her views and opinions are E-VIL. <- said in Dr. Evil voice

[Marzy 1]

Time to revolt.

[Marzy 1]

Of course, Muslim leaders are narrow minded. Am I right or wrong?

Edited February 21, 2010 by Fresgal

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

too long..give me the Cliff's Notes version

We need to be tolerant and understanding and realize it is our OWN fault that terrorists don't like us, eh?

[Nagishkaw 510]

We need to realize this thread is almost 4 years old. Bored much?

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

We need to realize this thread is almost 4 years old. Bored much?

the lesson of tolerance of other religions is timeless.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

We need to realize this thread is almost 4 years old. Bored much?

[Fandango 1,439]

This is why I feel all threads with 6 mos inactivity should be locked.

[scandal 951]

This is why I feel all threads with 6 mos inactivity should be locked.

Why? What harm comes of some random revival like this? It will all die down and go away soon enough anyway. Meanwhile those of us who missed it the first time around get to see some ancient VJ history. Like being on an archeological dig.

[mawilson 2,133]

too long..give me the Cliff's Notes version

"Muslims suck."

What did Canada do to offend them?

Provide military and financial aid to Israel? Intefere in Middle Eastern affairs?