«
»

5th May 2011

“Religious fundamentalisms are not only found in every region and religion, but they are also becoming increasingly visible at the international level in, for example, the international human rights system.”

Cassandra Balchin

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 1:00 and is filed under QOTD. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

10 Responses to “5th May 2011”

  1. Dan Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 10:27

    … which scares the crap out of me.

  2. The Heretic Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 14:35

    …and why they are given any credibility whatsoever??!!

  3. Jeff Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 15:29

    They are given credibility because they represent about the same portion of the population as we do – it’s called democracy. It started in Athens a while back, and it’s gaining popularity, recently.

  4. Dan Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 15:55

    Jeff,
    In case you forget your ancient history, when Christianity became popular the Greek schools of philosophy were soon closed and scholars were beaten to death by mobs in Alexandria.

    And, while democracy still was the status quo in ancient Greece, religion wasn’t popular. Indeed, giving people a democratic voice is a powerful way to combat fundamentalism – a fact that we’re seeing today with Arab Spring.

  5. John Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 16:10

    I have found that the easiest way to discover ones’ thoughts of foolishness is to let them speak.

  6. Jeff Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 16:34

    Dan,

    You’re response actually makes both my points. In order to have a chance to defeat their thinking we MUST let them express it. Time and tide, sir, and the only counter to speach that is either wrong or just wrong headed is to allow it to be aired for all to see. Suppression is the surest way to lend credence, so for as long as they perceive themselves a suppressed minority, the fundamentalists of all stripes will continue to gain strength.

  7. Dan Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 16:44

    In order to have a chance to defeat their thinking we MUST let them express it.

    Sure, no doubt. Except we have to realize that while politicians who happen to be religious are welcome, the Christian or Muslim politicians are dangerous to the people they would lead (even if they’re popular). That much should be obvious, right?

    And suppression? Sheesh, you sound like a Christian with a persecution complex. Combating religion with words and opposing such people with counter-arguments is hardly suppression.

  8. Jeff Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 17:12

    Dan,

    I said that was the way they feel, not the way I feel. Too many of them in my family to dismiss their feelings casually, sir. Such feelings of persecution are a central fact of their lives.

    The paternal generation prior to me had 6 boys, and 3 of ’em were ministers. Two fundamentalists (Nazerine and Baptist) and one Methodist, all on the GI Bill. The generation prior to that founded the largest Nazerine congregation north of the Mason-Dixon line, and Granddad was a founding member of the UAW (He got one thing right!). I had one cousin tell me that he would be happy if the US were to become a theocracy, but he couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that if it happened, it might not be his brand, when I mentioned that small problem to him.

    Fundamentalists of all brands bind themselves together in their PERCEIVED persecution. I know, because I grew up surrounded by ’em.

  9. Dan Says:
    May 5th, 2011 at 18:32

    Jeff,
    If you’ll read my comments above carefully, sir, I at no point disagreed that they perceive that they’re being persecuted. What I’m saying is, “So what that fundamentalists feel persecuted?”

    Let their popularity drown out. Democratically. And let’s make that happen.

  10. ???? Says:
    May 10th, 2011 at 10:14

    Keep the faith, my Internet friend; You are a first-class writer and deserve to be heard.