Religious hatred flourishes on web

[CShine]

The number of extremist websites espousing violent or racist views has grown by more than a quarter since January, according to a global study of "hate" sites. The unprecedented 26% increase in the first four months of this year was almost as much as the growth in extremist sites during the whole of 2003, according to SurfControl, a British-based web filtering company.

Religious hatred appears to be flourishing on the web, with an increase in American religious sites advocating extremist views and a growing number of militant Islamist sites.

The number of violent and extremist sites monitored by the company's researchers in 15 countries, including the UK, has risen by almost 300% in the past four years. They detected just 2,756 hate sites in 2000, compared with 10,926 recorded in April 2004. Researchers also noted a convergence between sites advocating hate and those directly promoting violence.

Steve Purdham, the chief executive of SurfControl, said most of the extremist sites were created by American groups. "There are two basic reasons for the growth. One is the relative growth of the internet. The other is the impact of headline news, in particular with regard to Afghanistan and now Iraq. In times of unease you tend to get extremist views forming and the internet is a global forum for this."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1213726,00.html

[rebellious woman]

1. No surprise after 2000 and the USSC saw fitly to do their bidding!

[loathesomeshrub]

2. This world and the people in it are bound for hell! No question. n/t

[joefree1]

6. S'cuse me, leave earth and us earth lovers out of it

Condemnation and fear are for the apocalyptic folk. We were here before them and we'll be here long after they've gone to their respective "heavens."


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PaganWarrior/

[Just Me]

8. I'm with you, joefree1!!! The armageddon folks brew many troubles. n/t

[crossroads]

13. So am I!

Religious fanatics are the cause of most of the pain I see. Especially those self-righteous hypocritical judgmental types like Rush! :puke:

[Mountainman]

12. It must be a shock to the religious when they see some pagans

cavorting and having fun in the after life! Being a devout pagan I can't wait to see the look on their spiritual faces.

[mhr]

3. Could It Be The Reich Wing And Republican Party Is Paying For The BW

(BW = bandwidth) and web hsoting?

[President Jesus]

4. what's with "on web"?

isn't religious haterd flourishing everywhere? and hasn't it always?

[coltman]

5. don't hate religion....

just hate the people who turned it into what it is today a multi-million dollar cult.

[PurityOfEssence]

7. Does it deserve any responsibility?

The tacit assumption in this society and most others is that having religion is morally and ethically better than not having it. Is this valid?

The major religions generally claim to know how the universe works, and will brook no dissent. Doesn't this mindset promote bigotry and marginalization of others?

My claim is this: prejudice and xenophobia aren't odd offshoots or unfortunate misinterpretations of religion, they stem from the very heart of the doctrines. The default assumption is that religion is good; I say that this doesn't bear scrutiny. Filling in the blanks of a complex universe may bring calmness, joy and the ability to go on to some, but it brings wildness, insanity and mayhem to many others, both in and out of these religions.

Religion doesn't kill people, people kill people; unfortunately, those concealable, semi-automatic religions with the big clips are REAL trouble.

[SpiritsDad]

10. Where else?

I sometimes wonder which other organizations we humans would use to express and justify the hatred that so many of us carry.

Some of the Freepers come to mind....

[crossroads]

14. I hear ya

Welcome to DU SpiritsDad! :yourock:

[Caution]

9. it's been that way for a very VERY long time.

Just take a look at the history of the Catholic Church (who are by no means the worst). Throughout history charlatans and "priests" have used religion as an excuse to extort money, exercise the power of life and death over people, and to subjugate any and all minority groups.


I am not a fan of organized religion (and yes there have been wonderful people who have done great things in the name of organized religion) and I think saying this is something new is a vast misrepresentation.

[damnraddem]

11. Religious hatred flourishes ...

everywhere.