Article

2004-06-09 Terror Networks

The Psychological Sources of Islamic Terrorism

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Posted by Mike Sylwester 2004-06-09 7:28:33 AM|| || Front Page|| [11125 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is one of those articles that I really should digest for a few days in order to properly analyze, but the medium does not allow that, so I will shoot from the hip.

There is a neo-marxist context to the whole thing. He mis-represents Existentialists who are essentially concerned with the primacy of the individual irrespective of the pragmatics of social interactions/institutions. He constructs a false dichotomy between those who don't want change (conservatives) and those who do (radicals). As I explained earlier this is not the distinction that matters - it is between those who are pragmatists (utilitarians) who want incremental consensual improvements (with occasional radical changes where the process of incremental change is clearly blocked - think Iraq) and those who are seeking to achieve some idealized state that they somehow understand how to get there.

One final point is the whole hearts and minds argument I think is fundamentally false. Convincing your opponents that your ideas are superior and they should join you is good but is not the only way to win and outside some modern contexts has never been tried, never mind shown to work.

I am more and more drawn to the 19th century British model. Impose the rule of law, build schools, roads and hospitals, buy off the people who oppose you and that doesn't work use the Gatling gun.

Posted by Phil B 2004-06-09 9:06:33 AM|| 2004-06-09 9:06:33 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 Put another way the electric prayer carpet is the very latest in allens gifts to arabs.

Posted by Shipman 2004-06-09 10:05:56 AM|| 2004-06-09 10:05:56 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 The psychological sources?
Vengeance as a construct of self worth.
Barbarity as a measurement of masculinity.
Religious idealism as the big stick of societal order and cohesion.
Shame of women as the essence of the superego.
Double talk and the duplicity in the spoken word as the mascots of survival of the fittest.
Faceless terrorists as icons of racial and religious omnipotence.

Posted by jules 187 2004-06-09 10:14:40 AM|| 2004-06-09 10:14:40 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 Lot of stuff here, may take me some time to wade through it all.

My initial reaction upon scanning it, though, is "tough." These people have a belief that their twisted, sick "religion" is going to rule the world. Hiding under rocks and in caves, they plan and plot the destruction of the Western world using the very things that exist only because of the philosophies of said Western world. They brutally murder without batting an eye, they have vast networks of money and people, and they couch their rhetoric and threats in 7th century language. They want to turn back the clock so that their version of things is the way the world is. They feel that they've been beaten, humiliated, and now they want revenge.

They've been beaten and humiliated because they haven't adapted. They haven't learned. America stands in its way, and as long as good, strong leaders like George W. Bush, and the late Ronald Reagan, and as long as ordinary Americans like Fred exist, as long as decency and a love for freedom and individual human dignity exist, they won't win. Humiliation can ultimately be overcome. That's how the West was won: people believing in something and trying again and again, even after they'd been "humiliated." Not giving up and reaching for their guns at the first chance they got. These cave-dwelling idiots don't understand that, and because of that, they'll never win.

Posted by The Doctor 2004-06-09 11:51:12 AM|| 2004-06-09 11:51:12 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Good article, but the problem won't be solved as it is as old as time.

Not to go religious on anyone or anything, but give the poor bastards Christianity. It's just their misfortune they bequeathed the seething-rage, lop-off-their-head version rather than the faith-hope-charity-forgiveness version which makes Western culture and democracy work so well and provides personal peace.

Christianity can offer both - a better life here AND in the hereafter.

Nothing will ever keep the frustrated from trying to erase their mistakes by asking for a do-over of the system that they feel left behind in. Can't make it within the system? It's not your fault, it's the system's fault. No problem, we'll just create a new one and you will be on top - We GUARANTEE it!

The number of the frustrated could be reduced if they were provided a viable alternative to deal with their sense of hopelessness and failure. Islam has failed its followers in this regard by telling them they need do nothing except blame the Jews. Christianity (as taught by Christ) is like AA in that it allows one to overcome bottoming out by acknowledging(confessing) their (failure)sins, receiving forgiveness and then striving to be better one day at a time.

Posted by B 2004-06-09 12:13:45 PM|| 2004-06-09 12:13:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#6 Huh?

Posted by Hank 2004-06-09 3:03:45 PM|| 2004-06-09 3:03:45 PM|| Front Page Top

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