Well I think it’s important to not paint too broad a brush. When you talk about a jihadist or a fundamentalist, you’re not talking about a Muslim. There are . . . And I think Muslims are being vocal about distinguishing themselves between, you know . . . distinguishing themselves from fundamentalists and from fundamentalist interpretations of the text. So I just think it’s quite dangerous to get into too fast of an analysis about what an entire, you know, an entire part of the world thinks, and believes, and hopes for. And in fact what we’re seeing is the influence of a relatively small number of extremists who are able to capitalize on, as I mentioned earlier, a tremendous sense of disillusionment, and rage, and frustration at a lack of opportunity. And that’s what happening here is that people are capitalizing on a desperate economic situation; and of course a war on terror which is, as I know from just having produced a film recently with 14 human rights groups worldwide that features the stories of ___________ whose an Ethiopian national British citizen currently held in Guantanamo Bay, tortured into confessing to crimes he did not commit. And _____________ Lebanese national, German citizen, pulled off a bus in the middle of Macedonia and held without charge. You know not a shred of evidence against him either. So when you start to get into a situation where people are whisked away in the middle of the night, held incommunicado, have their rights abrogated, and are tortured into humiliating . . . and humiliated into doing things and saying things that are virtually untrue, you are of course going to create a backlash and a response. And I think that’s, you know . . . that’s where the fundamentalist energy is coming from.
Recorded on: 8/13/07
Discuss
John Smith on January 14, 2008, 2:12 PM
Easy, by eliminating Christian (evangelical) and Jew (rabbi) fundamentalism in America and Israel.
On 15-May-1948, why did the American Government advocated a document calling for the creation of the State of Israel?
John Smith on January 14, 2008, 7:12 PM
Easy, by eliminating Christian (evangelical) and Jew (rabbi) fundamentalism in America and Israel.
On 15-May-1948, why did the American Government advocated a document calling for the creation of the State of Israel?
gina puglisi on January 17, 2008, 2:14 PM
I agree when she says that Muslims are speaking out about the difference between fundamentalists and themselves. I also agree with her when she says that the characteristics need to be distinguished because innocent people are being affected due to this small percentage of extremists causing so much fear and chaos in the environment that surrounds us. Unfortunately I'd have to disagree when she speaks of the men who are "taken in the middle of the night.." "held without any evidence.." To be held in a place such as Guantanamo Bay there has to be some reasoning behind their POW status. I do believe that Muslims are being pursecuted wrongfully in some instances, but I think that the picture is much bigger than what they show/tell us about these prisoners in particular. The objective is to protect, and sometimes being held by mistake happens, but there is nothing we can do about it. I happens everyday in the US, but we fail to thoroughly investigate these instances. I firmly believe that if there is a high level of threat and risk, the US will do whatever is necessary to promise security. As for those held wrongfully, justice will be served in due time, but there is a reason why they are in the position they are in right now.
gina puglisi on January 17, 2008, 7:14 PM
I agree when she says that Muslims are speaking out about the difference between fundamentalists and themselves. I also agree with her when she says that the characteristics need to be distinguished because innocent people are being affected due to this small percentage of extremists causing so much fear and chaos in the environment that surrounds us. Unfortunately I’d have to disagree when she speaks of the men who are “taken in the middle of the night..” “held without any evidence..” To be held in a place such as Guantanamo Bay there has to be some reasoning behind their POW status. I do believe that Muslims are being pursecuted wrongfully in some instances, but I think that the picture is much bigger than what they show/tell us about these prisoners in particular. The objective is to protect, and sometimes being held by mistake happens, but there is nothing we can do about it. I happens everyday in the US, but we fail to thoroughly investigate these instances. I firmly believe that if there is a high level of threat and risk, the US will do whatever is necessary to promise security. As for those held wrongfully, justice will be served in due time, but there is a reason why they are in the position they are in right now.
Elena Villarreal on January 20, 2008, 9:15 AM
I think she overestimates the role of US actions (Guantanamo, etc) in fueling Islamic terrorism. I would expect fundamental identity issues to play a significant role.
Elena Villarreal on January 20, 2008, 2:15 PM
I think she overestimates the role of US actions (Guantanamo, etc) in fueling Islamic terrorism. I would expect fundamental identity issues to play a significant role.
James Nordhoff on January 23, 2008, 9:53 AM
Perhaps it is time for everyone to re-examine their religious convictions (or lack thereof).
I believe everyone has a right to their own beliefs as long as you don't force anyone else to share them AND your beliefs DO NOT advocate violence. Violence because of religious differences has been the norm on this planet for far too long.
As for Christian Fundamentalism, I think science has already made a literal interpretation of the OLD Testament untenable with reality. Specifically, the Earth being literally created in 7 days, the Earth only being thousands of years old, and dinosaurs walking with humans. All three LITERAL Biblical "ideas" are scientifically IMPOSSIBLE. Of course, most Christian faiths now accept these as simple "stories" for a much simpler audience and do not actually take these things as literal.
We all must start thinking for ourselves and
get educated properly, by facts, not fairy tales.
James Nordhoff on January 23, 2008, 2:53 PM
Perhaps it is time for everyone to re-examine their religious convictions (or lack thereof).
I believe everyone has a right to their own beliefs as long as you don’t force anyone else to share them AND your beliefs DO NOT advocate violence. Violence because of religious differences has been the norm on this planet for far too long.
As for Christian Fundamentalism, I think science has already made a literal interpretation of the OLD Testament untenable with reality. Specifically, the Earth being literally created in 7 days, the Earth only being thousands of years old, and dinosaurs walking with humans. All three LITERAL Biblical “ideas” are scientifically IMPOSSIBLE. Of course, most Christian faiths now accept these as simple “stories” for a much simpler audience and do not actually take these things as literal.
We all must start thinking for ourselves and
get educated properly, by facts, not fairy tales.
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