3/4/2004: Ashoura 2004

[Zenchou]

I appreciate the understanding that you are showing, but that being said, understanding need only go so far. Ashoura is only part of the problem. It's part of a program that teaches that infidels are only so much extra shrapnel.

That is a massive generalization which you offered no proof of. Those kind of statements result from very shallow understandings of cultures and religions which make little or no effort to understand the true meanings. That being said, anyone can put a religion or culture in a bad light, yes, thats right, even Christianity/Judaism/whatever else you please. A broad statement of "they are all taught to kill anyone not of their religion" is hardly convincing.

I disagree. They want to give us a bit more than a smiley.

Another massive generalization which is blaming the radical actions of some people who happen to share the same religion/culture on those people as a whole, rather than the individuals or specific group.




Additionally, I could argue for days about the whole which child or which culture is better issue, but I won't. I didn't quite structure my statement correctly, but that is not the issue here, so I'm not going to start a different discussion. However, I might recommend that you not be so patronizing and tell me to "get out more". If you wish to make a point, do so in a more polite way, it is more effective and maintains the pretense of civility.

Um, swimming is useful, as in not drowning. Scalping yourself isn't. Hell, even the native americans had the sense to do it to the other guy and sell them to a third party for a profit.

So the only measure of worth of an activity is usefulness? That seems incredibly narrow, and would result in a rather boring life in my opinion, if we only did those things we felt were "useful". Not to mention, that rules out much of western religious pratices as well, if you don't think that their religious ideas are "useful" then no other religious ideas are "useful" either.

It's not a question of "use" for me. Instead, it's a question of beliefs. They believe in this strange ritual of cutting their head to show their faith. I think it's ridiculous, but no more ridiculous than many other religious practices.

If there can be shown a provable link between a given culture/group/etc. and past and present attrocities and there appears to be a liklihood of future attrocities then I say "Fire when ready Gridley!" And don't forget the dosimeters and the marshmellows.

First of all, the issue on whether or not there is a "proveable link" should be FAR from closed from anyone who has "read and gotten out more" (sorry, couldn't resist). Aside from that, however, there are plenty of ways to connect "past and present attrocities" to any government or culture, and very easy to project those images into the future. By your statement, perhaps we should just start shooting everyone just to be safe.

Additionally, it seems depressing to me that once you have found some sort of connection between past and present action, and possible (unless you can somehow see the future, you have no idea what will really happen) that your first inclination is to start shooting. While many people share this opinion with you, I find it disheartening