For most of us, the image of the World Trade Center Burning is a defining moment regarding our understanding of modern Islam: it is a theocratic system wrapped in a violent religion. Yet there are those who want to believe that "all we need to do is open up channels of free trade and stop attempting to support rogue states such as Israel and all will be well in the world."
As with any religion, there are those who hold the religious banner high and then do dispicable acts. Yet, it seems that in today's world, the preponderance of such religious-based violence is perpetrated by Muslims. Why?
There is the depraved because they are deprived theory. But Osama Bin Laden was wealthy while leading his merry band of Islamists on a violence binge.
There is the need for free trade theory. But the Muslim world has benefitted greatly through trade with the West... creating fantastic wealth where once only nomads roamed... yet the violence continues unabated... both against non-Muslims and among Muslims sects vying for dominance in the arena of "the truth."
SUNDAY, APRIL 01, 2012
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2012
UPDATE:Worthwhile reading:
World Order, Under Siege? and Islam’s Angry Literalists Are Only at Halfway Point