h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

'Is there anything, anything AT ALL, that anyone posting here can think of that would so reliably provoke a violent response from Christians, Buddhists, Hindus or Sikhs?'


Well, for Christians I would suggest that such a response would be provoked by, for example, a call to evict the infidel from the Holy Land, or a call to reconquer Spain from the Moors. Historical context is relevant: burning a copy of a translation of the Qu'ran has not always been such a provocative act. The religion of Islam is especially prone to this sort of thing *at the moment*, but any religion which teaches its followers that this life in this world is nothing but worthless filth but there is a paradise awaiting the righteous poses the same danger to humanity.

". The religion of Islam is especially prone to this sort of thing *at the moment*,"

The religion itself or some people in some particular areas under very particular sociopolitical circunstances?

I said there are million of Muslims in the world, but you and others like you insists on your favourite sport: If it´s religion, let´s hit, if it is about Muslims, let´s hit harder.


Oh, and please Anhaga, don´t come now with that badge of yours about how tolerant you are with your fellow Canadians Muslims. For every time you show that badge, you show your intolerance twice.

'. . . some people in some particular areas under very particular sociopolitical circunstances?'


Yes, Luca, exactly what I said.

religion is the opium of the people!!!

have you seen the damage some clucking(technical term for someone suffering withdrawl) smack-head can do to get his next fix????

I don't think he has the right to burn the Quran publicily and tell everyone that HIS opinion on Muslims is the only correct one. If he does so in his own family, ok, but then he has to keep it there.

Luca your post in response to anhaga makes no sort of sense to me.

And he's someone who always gives very clear reasons for his opinions. The idea of it being a favourite *sport* is laughable. I've never had the impression that he's in it for the *winning* if that's what you mean by sport? And I can't recall him using 'emotive language' to do with religious people.

Maybe you'd like to give a more expanded reasoned argument for your attack on him...oh and others like him as you call some people, whatever that's supposed to mean.

>> The word 'fish' is not the embodiment of an entire
cultural and social identity...<<

On behalf of dolphins here,
there and everywhere I must
take exception to your
misinformed premise.

As the poetess said,
"I think that I shall never see
a porpoise lovely as a tree."

Be it ever so humble there's
no plaice like Rome.


~jwf~

I think a fish was the symbol for Christ in the early church. I seem to remember learning at school that this symbol was used in the catacombs...or the lettering for it or something.

Iirc the fish was used as an early Christian symbol because the Greek word for fish could be used as an acronym for something about Christ. It was code early Christians could use to identify each other when they were still being persecuted.

And now they put the symbol onto the back of their cars as code for 'be careful. Car being driven badly.' As i've never known a Christian who can drive well.

What about Christian Fittipaldi?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Fittipaldi

I think we can all agree that "Pastor" Jones is a reprehensible oik. That does not in any way excuse the idiots who went on a murderous rampage against completely unrelated people in "retaliation".

TRiG.

have you seen the number of times he's crashed?

I was hoping you wouldn't check

Not in this country, but every action has a reaction. Be prepared and good luck.

What post 52 said.

Stating the obvious, maybe...

But could the reaction in Afghanistan be less a reaction at the desecration of the Qu&#39;ran per se and more to do with an ongoing political situation?

It&#39;s worth considering because it puts a slightly different complexion on the rioters and murderers: they may not be &#39;nut jobs&#39; , &#39;idiots&#39; etc. etc. but people who have, whether one agrees with them or not, a completely rational opposing political viewpoint. Those they killed may have had nothing to do with Pastor Jones but rather more to do with the local situation.

I feel it&#39;s foolish - and lazy - to write such people off simply as being inexplicably in thrall to their superstitions.

> a completely rational opposing political viewpoint.<

Maybe you'd like to suggest one?

Note that I in no way suggested that I agreed with their actions.

However, I suggest that it&#39;s pretty much a universal that people will react violently towards those they see as representing occupying powers. In this sense, they are as rational as any other people in their position. The magic book is incidental.

Perhaps some confusion over the word &#39;rational&#39; here? All I&#39;m saying is that from the position of someone who wishes the occupier gone, violence is to be expected as par for the course. It should come as no surprise whatsoever that events such as a book burning in a land far, far away might provide a convenient pretext. It&#39;s not like the place was peaceable before pastor Jones started being silly.

I wonder what effect Jones was after?

>The magic book is incidental.<

I think its fundamental. Yes there will be people behind the scenes manipulating that mentality for political reasons, but I think the actual mob were whipped up by exactly that. And yes being irrational and prone to crazy mob behaviour isn't confined to Islam..but given the way the Koran is written, and various ideas such as iconoclasm..I'd say given the right cultural situation and historical context, as anhaga has referred to, it's not that difficult to tap into the 'nutjob'.