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09/13/2010, 08:57 PM
#313
 Originally Posted by Fisack23
I would like to see that actual statistics to verify this statement.
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"My mind's made up - don't confuse me with the facts!"
Well, I don't have hard numbers to back this up. If I did we could finally put to rest to debate of the percentage of the Islamic world that is on the side of, or is directly involved in, terrorism.
So let's appeal to common sense. First, a simple definition of religious terrorism. Could we agree that it is the direct action of creating an extreme social disturbance, be it through destruction of property, economy, or life, in the name of religion. I'm sure that this def could be expanded ot challenged, but I'm trying to keep things simple.
So, we can look at the world's major religions. For argument's sake, let's say Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Fair? Now, looking at Buddhism and Hinduism, I can find sporadic examples of religious terrorism, but really nothing very significant or comparable to the other 3. So let's count them out.
Let's begin with Judaism. Here again it depends on the cultural viewpoint, but I'm sure that an objective bystander could see some of the acts against Palestinians as terrorism. There are a good number of incidents in the West Bank and Gaza that can be construed as religious terrorism directed towards the Palestinian people. However, I've had trouble finding any incidents of militant Jews raining terror down upon another state. And many of the attacks on Palestinians are defended by the Jewish constituents as defending their right to exist. Obviously the Palestinians have a right to exist as well, but the majority of the attacks seem to be more politically based, with religion intertwined.
On to Christianity. A lot has been made of abortion clinic bombings as terrorist attacks performed by Christians in the name of Jesus. These stats taken from Wiki, the most reliable source on the web.
In the U.S., violence directed toward abortion providers has killed at least eight people, including four doctors, two clinic employees, a security guard, and a clinic escort.[5]
According to statistics gathered by the National Abortion Federation (NAF), an organization of abortion providers, since 1977 in the United States and Canada, there have been 17 attempted murders, 383 death threats, 153 incidents of assault or battery, and 3 kidnappings committed against abortion providers.
According to NAF, since 1977 in the United States and Canada, property crimes committed against abortion providers have included 41 bombings, 173 arsons, 91 attempted bombings or arsons, 619 bomb threats, 1630 incidents of trespassing, 1264 incidents of vandalism, and 100 attacks with butyric acid ("stink bombs").
If you consider this Christian terrorism, it obviously pales in comparison to the attacks perpetrated by Muslim extremists. I would have to agree that, for the most part, it is Christians that execute such attacks. So, ignoring any arguments to the contrary, let's call it that.
You also have terrorist acts committed by the Ku Klux Klan, although I would argue that those actions are motivated more by racism than by religion, but we'll include it. The conflicts in Northern Ireland are also a good example, so we can include them as well, even though the majority of the violence was directed at two battling Christian factions. I'm sure you can come up with more.
On to Muslim terrorism. Well, really not difficult to find an example, but let's use a couple. 9/11. Nearly 3000 dead, including people in the towers, the pentagon, and on the planes. Twin towers destroyed. Pentagon severely damaged. I honestly could list another couple hundred or so more during the last year, but I'll let you have fun checking them out. I'm sure you won't have any trouble.
On top of these acts, there are also statements by religious and or political leaders that call for individuals to be killed if they go against religious law, aka calling for those who burn the Koran to be put to death. Yada yada yada, I could go on and on.
Over-simplified argument I know, but really, if you want to prove that other religions are just as prone to terrorism, I'd love to see the argument.
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