ISIS Responds to Pope Francis.

[cronus]

Everyone looks for reasons. The left has its reasons and the right its. But what if there are no reasons? Religion is not reason based. Why should its periods of docility and meaningless violence follow a path through history? Maybe you imagine the soundtrack for that opium of the masses in retrospect, or see the devils hand in play? Could be you that though? The reality could be randomness pure and simple. One decade religion doing good cop and one century doing bad, and all in its own way with no rhyme, reason or rationale whatsoever.

[JimC]

Without rhyme or reason, eh?

Sounds like a description of the majority of your posts!

(but at least they're sort of interesting...)

[cronus]

Without rhyme or reason, eh?

Sounds like a description of the majority of your posts!

(but at least they're sort of interesting...)

I don't have the same range of influence. Sadly.

[pErvinalia]

Without rhyme or reason, eh?

Sounds like a description of the majority of your posts!

[rainbow]

Back to the OP...

Some sections of western media follow a scripted party line about Islamic fundamentalist ideology and the terrorist actions it entails. They insist, above all "this is not about religion"

Well, from the horse's mouth so to speak, they are clearly wrong...

What?

You actually believe that what Isis says is true?

Do you take the virgin thing at face-value as well?

[JimC]

Back to the OP...

Some sections of western media follow a scripted party line about Islamic fundamentalist ideology and the terrorist actions it entails. They insist, above all "this is not about religion"

Well, from the horse's mouth so to speak, they are clearly wrong...

What?

You actually believe that what Isis says is true?

Do you take the virgin thing at face-value as well?

I believe that they are motivated by their religion...

That is quite enough...

[NineBerry]

What distinguishes apes from all other animals is the ability to doubt what other individuals say about their intentions, i.e. the ability to know that others might be lying.

[Svartalf]

Well, there's no reason to doubt that they use religion as an excuse and a manipulation tool.

[JimC]

They are truly and uncontrovertibly trapped by their mind virus...

[rainbow]

Back to the OP...

Some sections of western media follow a scripted party line about Islamic fundamentalist ideology and the terrorist actions it entails. They insist, above all "this is not about religion"

Well, from the horse's mouth so to speak, they are clearly wrong...

What?

You actually believe that what Isis says is true?

Do you take the virgin thing at face-value as well?

I believe that they are motivated by their religion...

That is quite enough...

Not really.
If you believe them that their motivation is religious rather than political, you should believe the rest of the lies they put out.

Be consistent.

[rainbow]

Well, there's no reason to doubt that they use religion as an excuse and a manipulation tool.

No question at all that this is what they are doing. Using religion to gain political power is hardly a new idea.

[Hermit]

What distinguishes apes from all other animals is the ability to doubt what other individuals say about their intentions, i.e. the ability to know that others might be lying.

...or simply being ignorant of underlying facts. For example there are millions who say they oppose trade unions because unionism is opposed to freedom - specifically the freedom to bargain on an individual basis. It turns out that in reality they are motivated by their desire to protect the wealth they actually possess or aspire to be in possession of at some time in the future.

[cronus]

What distinguishes apes from all other animals is the ability to doubt what other individuals say about their intentions, i.e. the ability to know that others might be lying.

...or simply being ignorant of underlying facts. For example there are millions who say they oppose trade unions because unionism is opposed to freedom - specifically the freedom to bargain on an individual basis. It turns out that in reality they are motivated by their desire to protect the wealth they actually possess or aspire to be in possession of at some time in the future.

Awareness of mortality in the self is what distinguishes man from other apes. He invents religions, politics and engineering feats to avoid the unique gravity of his situation. For he looks out on the abyss both inwards and outwards, and is aware of the abyss in all its terrifying grandeur.

[Hermit]

What distinguishes apes from all other animals is the ability to doubt what other individuals say about their intentions, i.e. the ability to know that others might be lying.

...or simply being ignorant of underlying facts. For example there are millions who say they oppose trade unions because unionism is opposed to freedom - specifically the freedom to bargain on an individual basis. It turns out that in reality they are motivated by their desire to protect the wealth they actually possess or aspire to be in possession of at some time in the future.

Awareness of mortality in the self is what distinguishes man from other apes. He invents religions, politics and engineering feats to avoid the unique gravity of his situation. For he looks out on the abyss both inwards and outwards, and is aware of the abyss in all its terrifying grandeur.

Yes, this is true. Not particularly relevant to this thread's topic, though, other than in a stream-of-consciousness way.

[pErvinalia]

zhe