The Logic Off Topic list

on 25/9/01 5:42 pm, GAmoore@... at GAmoore@... wrote:

> I think the Moslems have to stop preaching death and hatred. I think they
> need true relgious scholars who heard of the 10 commandments.

I got really angry with this offensive generalisation and half-wrote an
exasperated reply, clicked on "send later", rather than "save as draft".
Hence the half-written earlier contribution. To be honest I don't want to
have another row.  I'm tired and I've got lots of work to do comping vocals
for the album I'm supposed to be working on at the mo.  So maybe here's a
better and more considered response.  I think it'll be my last contribution
to all this.


I think some incredibly ignorant things have been said in these discussions
and some incredibly well-informed and sober ones.  We have all to be aware
of blanket generalisations about matters about which we appear to know
little (like dismissing entire religions, peoples, races for example).

I'm afraid that some people on this list are mistaken in believing that it
is, at this time, either impolite, offensive or plain wrong to express a
little caution, or concern at the rhetoric issued by Western leaders such as
Bush and Blair (my leader), and the punitive actions they are hinting at.
In fact the opposite is the case - it's even more important to speak up now
and counsel caution.  But few people seem prepared to do so. The appalling
events of September 11th require us to stop and think very carefully before
retaliating.  This is no time for old-testament justice, or an Orwellian
total war ("Infinite Justice" - there's a terrifying choice of words),
never-ending, spreading fear and paranoia instead of easing it.

I don't want my government or the armed forces of my country to terrorise
innocent people;  to kill in my name, because some people still believe in
an eye for an eye.  There has to be a better way, and a safer way.  More
violence, more terror just makes people like Bin Laden stronger;  it
confirms their rhetoric and recruits new people to their cause.  The cycle
of violence continues and those who espouse it become stronger.

I'm not a Christian but I do believe that it would be useful to remember
some of Christ's teachings at these times - to be New Testament rather than
Old.  To end with this is a quote from the UK's Guardian newspaper, an op-ed
piece written by Madelaine Bunting  (24.9.01, p.17):

" the greatest contribution Jesus Christ made to humanity's ethical
understanding was that the instinct to revenge, retaliate and fight back
should be restrained.  Despite Christianity's waning influence, it was
precisely this ethical principle that we so admired in the greatest
political leaders of the last century:  Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King
and Gandhi.  Their leaderships all illustrated that the most effective way
to fight (though it requires huge patience) is through the moral example of
magnamity and restraint, and the huge political courage they require."

I think if we are sincere about the desire to learn,  we could do a lot
worse than starting somewhere like this.

peace,

pk