General Discussion

BainsBane

(56,510 posts)

205. How is it that people think religion is the only

Mon Apr 22, 2013, 04:28 PM

Apr 2013

problematic justification for murder? It MAY HAVE provided those boys with an ideology for justification, just like democracy and American superiority do for the most militaristic society in human history. The US justified murder in Iraq by spreading democracy. We kill more Muslims every single day than the number of Americans those two boys killed in their entire lives, but somehow people here refuse to interrogate their only society's role in mass murder and instead target Islam. Because hate is so much easier than actually thinking, and because most enjoy nothing more than cultivating hatred for an Other while refusing to examine their own actions or those of their own society. That's what imperialism is all about. Kill us and it's an outrage. We kill someone else and people make a million excuses.

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On Boston suspects: Maher To Defender Of Islam: Equating Christianity And Islam "Liberal Bullshit" [View all] The Straight Story Apr 2013 OP

As a faith...? It does need to grow the fuck up. alphafemale Apr 2013 #1

Christians killed 200,000 people in Iraq BainsBane Apr 2013 #117

No. That was not a faith based action. alphafemale Apr 2013 #118

so that makes it okay? BainsBane Apr 2013 #121

That's not what she said, was it? Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #126

Who here is justifying the Iraq war or saying Dorian Gray Apr 2013 #139

to identify Islam as a source of violence BainsBane Apr 2013 #140

Christianity went through it's dark ages, Taliban fundie types are still working through theirs snooper2 Apr 2013 #177

This message was self-deleted by its author cui bono Apr 2013 #238

How about the killing of 762 to 3,500 refugees in Sabra and Shatila? Chathamization Apr 2013 #145

George Bush did use the "Crusade" word to describe the mission. n/t Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #153

But the word used "figuratively" OwnedByCats Apr 2013 #158

Christianity is so interwoven with our politics Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #163

Quite possibly true in reference to OwnedByCats Apr 2013 #164

Bush invoked religion more times than I can ever remember a siting US President. npk Apr 2013 #216

But GWB doesn't know the meaning of the words he speaks. n/t cui bono Apr 2013 #239

I don't think that's so clear, really. Marr Apr 2013 #180

Now you are broad brushing our culture. Deep13 Apr 2013 #228

Only if you agree with the RW that we're a Christian nation NickB79 Apr 2013 #195

How is it that people think religion is the only BainsBane Apr 2013 #205

Holy crap you think we went to war in Iraq because we are Christians? dkf Apr 2013 #226

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #244

They do still bomb health clinics and murders doctors sometimes. cui bono Apr 2013 #236

Christians gravitated to nationalism as the main social identity... Deep13 Apr 2013 #240

Christianity calls for the extermination of humanity AgingAmerican Apr 2013 #2

that is not a central tenet of Christianity cali Apr 2013 #6

Educate myself? AgingAmerican Apr 2013 #7

evangelical christians are hardly cali Apr 2013 #34

You are 100% correct. MsPithy Apr 2013 #63

The Majority of Christians in this world do not believe in the rapture. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #70

You would have to look very hard to find the word 'rapture' in the Bible. ryan_cats Apr 2013 #115

You can read scripture many different ways but the rapture is a 19 century invention by hrmjustin Apr 2013 #133

John Darby. Premillennial Dispensationalism cali Apr 2013 #148

It goes back much farther than that Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #222

well, yes and no. cali Apr 2013 #223

There are a lot of powerful ones in our government AgingAmerican Apr 2013 #146

They are central to certain fundamentalists- not even all of them cali Apr 2013 #98

wow the Resurrection isn't a central tennet of Christianity? azurnoir Apr 2013 #40

nope. not as practiced by many branches of Christianity. cali Apr 2013 #55

I'm not a Christian but at least you admit it is central to some brands of Christianity azurnoir Apr 2013 #57

how azurnoiresque. Admit? No, I'm not "admitting" to anything. cali Apr 2013 #94

well of course your not lol azurnoir Apr 2013 #97

I'm attempting to inform cali Apr 2013 #101

well of course you do azurnoir Apr 2013 #102

no, just noting behavior. cali Apr 2013 #104

well yes of course you are :) azurnoir Apr 2013 #106

You are wrong about this dsc Apr 2013 #62

the Resurrection is portrayed as happening as a part of Armageddon azurnoir Apr 2013 #65

Revelation may mention the resurrection dsc Apr 2013 #74

well what is the Resurrection azurnoir Apr 2013 #81

The Resurrection refers to the immediate aftermath of the crucifiction dsc Apr 2013 #86

well then my mistake in terms I was thinking of the second coming azurnoir Apr 2013 #90

This message was self-deleted by its author Union Scribe Apr 2013 #187

ack. you should stop digging, hon. you really don't know what you're talking about cali Apr 2013 #95

ack I noted my mistake in terms down thread perhaps you should read more:) azurnoir Apr 2013 #100

Seriously, if you don't know about something- and you've demonstated that you cali Apr 2013 #103

I'm simply replying to you azurnoir Apr 2013 #105

Ah, DU theology classes. Union Scribe Apr 2013 #186

yes any mention of Islam seems to really bring out the azurnoir Apr 2013 #200

But Christians do not, as a whole, go out to purposely murder others. randome Apr 2013 #38

just like rogus Apr 2013 #61

Christians definitely have their nutcases. randome Apr 2013 #93

I believe it's Christians in Uganda who proposed Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #155

I get your point but that's still an isolated situation. randome Apr 2013 #169

What? Many believe it is prophecy, they don't call for it. n/t Skip Intro Apr 2013 #45

Where does Jesus say anything about Extermination? hrmjustin Apr 2013 #49

Hmm.. Pelican Apr 2013 #165

With all do respect this is not an answer. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #175

You're overthinking it... Pelican Apr 2013 #189

You're confusing "Christianity" with "What I would like Christianity to be". Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #128

You're misunderstanding the concept of Armageddon marshall Apr 2013 #132

Some parts of it do. Deep13 Apr 2013 #231

George W Bush was famous for stating Jesus Christ was his favorite philosopher Fumesucker Apr 2013 #3

He was trying to get votes in a majority-Christian country. UrbScotty Apr 2013 #12

You're going with the "No true Scotsman" argument? Fumesucker Apr 2013 #13

Does anyone *really* think W (or any Republican politician) would talk about God/Jesus if America UrbScotty Apr 2013 #17

Obama did the same thing Fumesucker Apr 2013 #21

But his actions are more in line with actual Christian behavior. Dubya? Not so much. UrbScotty Apr 2013 #37

I know a great many Christians who think Bush was the bees knees n/t Fumesucker Apr 2013 #39

So, which one of them is the true Scotsman? Nuclear Unicorn Apr 2013 #172

Can you show how they are? I don't see it. cui bono Apr 2013 #250

Do you think Bush followed the teachings of Christ? I don't! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #51

I think very, very few people follow all the teachings of the Christ n/t Fumesucker Apr 2013 #107

I thought he indicated, even said pangaia Apr 2013 #46

I was curious so I looked it up MrBig Apr 2013 #76

Well, that's your view of Christianity. Deep13 Apr 2013 #233

Bush pulled Jesus' name out of his ass at a debate Tanuki Apr 2013 #178

You don't think Bush was a Christian? Fumesucker Apr 2013 #179

He might try opening a History book once in a while. eShirl Apr 2013 #4

He's talking about now, not 800 years ago RZM Apr 2013 #9

Huge difference. Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #19

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition... awoke_in_2003 Apr 2013 #89

You might want to read post #8 below. (nt) jeff47 Apr 2013 #84

I wish there were more good popular history books on Islam. Deep13 Apr 2013 #234

Maher nails it, as usual. sagat Apr 2013 #5

Northern Ireland, the KKK, etc. One need not look far to see Christian terrorism in action. Xithras Apr 2013 #8

But the media do not REPORT those terrorist acts tblue37 Apr 2013 #14

This. curlyred Apr 2013 #25

That's absolutely right. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #156

Terrorism by Christians isn't "Christian terrorism" Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #229

The KKK wasn't a religious group? Xithras Apr 2013 #245

No, the KKK wasn't a religious organisation. Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #246

Lol. Xithras Apr 2013 #248

You know what they'd call you in Ireland? Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #249

I'd say they both have a point. MNBrewer Apr 2013 #10

You don't need to 'split the baby' to see that, do you? randome Apr 2013 #41

Bill Mayer is BM n/t whatchamacallit Apr 2013 #11

I'm not seeing people bombing in the name of Christianity Aerows Apr 2013 #15

No, we're just bombing the fuck out of everyone else over "our beliefs" whatchamacallit Apr 2013 #18

Amen, brother n/t Fumesucker Apr 2013 #22

They are bombing people for $$$ and nothing else. nt Lucky Luciano Apr 2013 #79

God Bless America Fumesucker Apr 2013 #184

For sure. Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #16

Nazism was a Christian phenomenon. Their aircraft, for example, had two Christian crosses byeya Apr 2013 #30

Spanish Inquisition, Crusades, Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #42

Christians are at war with women's health care facilities and have committed murder and byeya Apr 2013 #50

Correct, but Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #66

#1) We just claim secular reasons for those alerts. jeff47 Apr 2013 #91

So all that added security Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #110

There's more locations in this world than airports. jeff47 Apr 2013 #114

Hey Jeff Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #123

I'm not apologizing for them. That's your desperate attempt to dismiss me. jeff47 Apr 2013 #124

Are you paranoid much? Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #159

Seems like you are unable Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #199

The fact that you don't hear what Christians do in Africa, Asia jeff47 Apr 2013 #87

Are Christians planting bombs in Africa, Asia? Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #116

Yes. jeff47 Apr 2013 #119

Wow. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #157

Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #201

As I've pointed out elsewhere Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #207

Very telling admission. Jack Sprat Apr 2013 #213

That's fine, Jack. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #214

If being opposed to anti-Muslim bigotry makes me a 'terror apologist', put me on ignore too... Violet_Crumble Apr 2013 #218

If being against bigotry gets DUers a place on your ignore list, add me also. uppityperson Apr 2013 #220

Rude, crude, and bigoted remarks nt Laura PourMeADrink Apr 2013 #219

People in these parts pipoman Apr 2013 #20

I am still waiting to see the severed heads Dreamer Tatum Apr 2013 #23

I really do have to weigh in here... EnviroBat Apr 2013 #182

Stop reading propaganda and try getting to know actual Muslim people CrawlingChaos Apr 2013 #26

You forgot the sarcasm smilie. snagglepuss Apr 2013 #32

Bravo !!! pangaia Apr 2013 #56

Well I know Muslims and I've never met any one of them SpartanDem Apr 2013 #31

Remember, given the history of Islamic retaliation for even minor pipoman Apr 2013 #47

Absolutely. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #160

I could also say that ... pangaia Apr 2013 #54

So Islamic countries don't practice extreme misogynistic abuse of women?... pipoman Apr 2013 #134

You think there's no extreme misogynistic abuse of women in this Christian country? Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #161

It isn't legal or socially acceptable...of coarse you knew that.. pipoman Apr 2013 #170

I'm happy to learn Africa and India don't exist. jeff47 Apr 2013 #92

American Christians supported the Iraq war. redgreenandblue Apr 2013 #151

I know a lot of Muslims and none of them is murderous. Deep13 Apr 2013 #232

+1000 smirkymonkey Apr 2013 #253

Maher is a longstanding anti-Muslim bigot and hatemonger CrawlingChaos Apr 2013 #24

Maher makes like they're all a bunch of primitive savages. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #29

If so, it's ironic his show was yanked after he said the 9/11 hijackers weren't cowardly. SunSeeker Apr 2013 #125

If you noticed he doesn't like any religion at all. Yes he harps on Muslims a bit more but he hrmjustin Apr 2013 #242

Muslims DO respect other faiths though.... Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #27

They only do that to certain Christian and Jewish figures. They certainly do not confer peace on snagglepuss Apr 2013 #35

Are you talking about Kashmir? Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #67

No I'm talking about non-Abrahamic faiths like polytheism snagglepuss Apr 2013 #71

I don't know where you are getting that from. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #75

It's true. Peace Be Upon Him ("swt") is reserved for "prophets of the book" Recursion Apr 2013 #154

You are wrong. It's also used as a sign of respect for other faiths. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #192

Sorry, my years in the Middle East must have misled me Recursion Apr 2013 #193

Must be, because the Americanized ones expand it. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #194

I have no doubt some do Recursion Apr 2013 #196

I know a Jewish woman who uses it for anyone who has passed away. Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #197

We-e-ell, they often respect other people of different religions... Deep13 Apr 2013 #237

"The Muslims who teach my language classes are all very respectful, warm, and very nice people." Spitfire of ATJ Apr 2013 #241

"guy proclaiming himself to be universally bigoted shows slight inconsistency in the universalism of MisterP Apr 2013 #28

I'd like a non white, non christian (or affiliated), non western male to make said assessment ... uponit7771 Apr 2013 #33

Religion is at the bottom of all terrorist acts RVN VET Apr 2013 #36

This is a very good reply. GaYellowDawg Apr 2013 #167

yep Maher would know about that wouldn't he? azurnoir Apr 2013 #43

Christianity is a violent faith. LWolf Apr 2013 #44

The crusades was centuries ago. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #53

Centuries ago. LWolf Apr 2013 #59

The iraq war was not a war of christianity versus islam. It was Bush's war. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #64

Of course it was. LWolf Apr 2013 #69

I could not disagree with you more. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #72

You're free to disagree all you like. LWolf Apr 2013 #78

Well I am going to say is not all chistians are what you think we are. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #80

Well, you should probably think about that and LWolf Apr 2013 #83

fair enough! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #85

Psst....there's this place called "Africa". You might just read a bit about it. (nt) jeff47 Apr 2013 #96

Enlighten me! hrmjustin Apr 2013 #99

Post #8 has a high-level summary. jeff47 Apr 2013 #112

Ok you got me on that one. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #113

In proper perspective... LeftyChristian Apr 2013 #252

It could be argued Sgent Apr 2013 #227

Muslims need to have a modern day reformation. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #48

I agree with that. randome Apr 2013 #52

I agree with Bill. Apophis Apr 2013 #58

Inaccurate. davidthegnome Apr 2013 #60

Maher ripped that dude to shreds. MrSlayer Apr 2013 #68

Christian denial of Climate Change has DOOMED the planet!! ErikJ Apr 2013 #73

Not all devout Christians believe in the rapture, but yes too Many Christians have turned their hrmjustin Apr 2013 #77

Suicide Religion ErikJ Apr 2013 #129

The rapture is 19th century invention. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #131

But End Times theology has been around forever. ErikJ Apr 2013 #137

Yes it is and to get back to your orignial point fundamentalist Christians are not helping with hrmjustin Apr 2013 #138

This message was self-deleted by its author Union Scribe Apr 2013 #183

In a narrow context he is correct, but only that. I'm much more worried about this: freshwest Apr 2013 #82

Islam does have some hangups that Christianity doesn't starroute Apr 2013 #88

Most of the Muslims I know are secular Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #162

When are folks going to wake up - Maher is a clown. closeupready Apr 2013 #108

What we like to think is that all religions are peaceful and we can all get along but Vietnameravet Apr 2013 #109

You mean how like Christians want to kill gays? Hugabear Apr 2013 #111

You missed out the words "a tiny fraction of". Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #130

It's a false equivalency, one born out of privilege here in the US... MellowDem Apr 2013 #120

I disagree with the entire argument, Equating Terrorism with Religion is "Atheist Bullshit" Dragonfli Apr 2013 #122

+1 Jamaal510 Apr 2013 #136

well said. BainsBane Apr 2013 #141

gee.. I wonder what manifest destiny was all about? G_j Apr 2013 #127

I think Maher is correct about this rollin74 Apr 2013 #135

Maher made the distinction that we are talking EmeraldCityGrl Apr 2013 #142

Wiki List of Islamist Terrorist Attacks Zorra Apr 2013 #143

Rioting against a cartoon is better than rioting in support of pedophile enablers Chathamization Apr 2013 #144

maher is a fucking tool. smarmy, creepy, arrogant. and *stupid* though he fancies himself HiPointDem Apr 2013 #147

Whose tool? He's certainly not a tool of conservativism. Zorra Apr 2013 #173

'truth to power' = lololololol HiPointDem Apr 2013 #198

Whose tool? nt Zorra Apr 2013 #203

14. tool HiPointDem Apr 2013 #204

Ah, I see. You couldn't really answer the question, so you made something up. Zorra Apr 2013 #206

i answered the question. a tool = a dick. you just choose not to accept the answer. HiPointDem Apr 2013 #209

Sorry, I couldn't find that definition in any dictionary. Zorra Apr 2013 #215

Not a fair comparison... YoungDemCA Apr 2013 #149

Agree how much of religious radicalization has to do with the Ghost of Tom Joad Apr 2013 #166

Dear Mr. Maher. I always enjoy listening to you. I understand your perspective. However,... redgreenandblue Apr 2013 #150

I'm generally a fan of Bill Maher Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #152

Isn't Bush a 'Christian'? How many did he kill over his eight year reign of terror? sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #168

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2013 #171

Tell that to Dr. George Tiller One of the 99 Apr 2013 #174

Rwanda? Bosnia? LittleBlue Apr 2013 #176

They're clearly not identical players as of today, no. Marr Apr 2013 #181

This message was self-deleted by its author Union Scribe Apr 2013 #185

DU relativism. Union Scribe Apr 2013 #188

Someone up thread said it best. Blue_In_AK Apr 2013 #190

I'd settle for concentrating on the last fifteen years marshall Apr 2013 #210

Keep your pen handy Zax2me Apr 2013 #212

Liberal bullshit? The meme, 'both parties do it' is not exclusive to the Left. Rex Apr 2013 #191

equating all or most Christians Muslims with gejohnston Apr 2013 #202

What's Al Qaeda's favorite religion, again? Quantess Apr 2013 #208

The (very real) lower level of violence in Christianity is not the merit of Christianity. 2ndAmForComputers Apr 2013 #211

Just watched this version of Real Time. Maher was a complete prick to his guest. Buzz Clik Apr 2013 #217

I think both were right, but Maher went overboard with that "liberal BS" statement. alp227 Apr 2013 #221

Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #224

That is not true. hrmjustin Apr 2013 #225

Gross over simpification. Deep13 Apr 2013 #230

Maher blows his timing sometimes -this was a weird one olddots Apr 2013 #235

I think all religions have their fanatics. We can all go through modern day crimes by members of all hrmjustin Apr 2013 #243

It's ironic, I got into a FB argument just an hour ago with someone cecilfirefox Apr 2013 #247

As an converted Athiest, HockeyMom Apr 2013 #251

We haven't, but that really isn't the point, or at least not the whole point. Deep13 Apr 2013 #254

I was a little frustrated with Maher. Alva Goldbook Apr 2013 #255

This is a tough one... I would have to review the numbers before forming an opinion ecstatic Apr 2013 #256