Jumpin' Jesus on a pogo stick!!! Check out this poll on American Muslims!!!

[Gawain of Orkeny]

"Can the bombing of civilian targets be justified in the defense of freedom?"

1/4 of American Muslim men believe that suicide bombings are justified!!!

These two statements are not comparable. Of course the bombing of civilian targets can sometimes be justified in the defense of freedom. But these guys arent defending freedom. How about asking how many americans favor wiping out all the arabs. That would be a closer comparison. Or would we be justified in bombing Iran. Your not going to find many americans that will back the intentional slaughter of innocents.

Thats a generalization right there. Not all followers of Islam are prone to violent actions,

Where? He said he wanted to make a poll he didnt give the results.

There are those groups within a demographic population that are prone to violence, but you will find them in any religion, save the pacifist ones.

Now were getting down to the real nitty gritty and where all this Islam -Christain comparison today falls flat on its face. What percentage of Muslims are violent vs Christians today in the name of their religion? Its not even close.

[FactionHeir]

Now were getting down to the real nitty gritty and where all this Islam -Christain comparison today falls flat on its face. What percentage of Muslims are violent vs Christians today in the name of their religion? Its not even close.

Maybe the better question is what triggered this difference. Maybe some recent invasions?

[Ser Clegane]

These two statements are not comparable.

I was not comparing my question to the second statement (which is incorrect) but to the original question from the poll:

Can Suicide Bombing of Civilian Targets
to Defend Islam be Justified?

I already commented in post #10 why I believe that the comparison of answers to these two question would make sense.

[FactionHeir]

Three out of four people surveyed said the decision to go to war in Iraq was wrong, and 48 percent said using force in Afghanistan was wrong. Five percent of those surveyed had a "very favorable" or "somewhat favorable" view of Al Qaeda, while 58 percent had a "very unfavorable" opinion of the terror group.

Thats a rather flawed question. Why would anyone say "The invasion of my country was good, kill all my neighbors and friends and their friends."
While Al Qaeda is considered a terrorist group by most western countries, its also notable that at the same time the US actively supports islamic militants and terror groups in Iraq as long as they fight against Al Qaeda or anti-American groups. Strategically a sound idea. Ideologically and morally a step backwards if you are actively pursuing a "war on terror". That's like saying if you are a terrorist you are fine as long as you don't mess with the US and Israel.

Note that many of the islamic militant groups that end up labelled as terrorist due to their way of fighting were only created or became active after the invasion of Iraq to drive out what they deem occupiers, which is totally understandable. I mean if all Muslim countries united and invaded and occupied the States, how many Americans would take up arms and fight back? Possibly even with suicide bombings if they did not have enough funds/training? That needs to be put in perspective.

That said, its common knowledge now that there was no legal reason to invade Iraq and that it has brought nothing but strife and has not made the world a better nor safer place. Some may argue bringing democracy there justifies the war, but I ask what this fuss about democracy is about anyway. Why impose a system of government on a country's people just because you think they'd be better off that way? Some systems work better in certain countries than others. One does not have to wonder why this anti-bushism has popped up all around this country.

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Back on topic

Im sorry I missed this before

I think if you would ask:
"Can the bombing of civilian targets be justified in the defense of Christianity?" you very likely would get (significantly) lower percentages of "positive" answers.

Significantly doesnt do this justice

But back to your original question

Can you defend the use of suicide bombing in defense of your religion. Not if your religion is a religion of peace you cant.

PS is it only me or do any others of you feel better that we have the patriot act after looking at this?

[ajaxfetish]

PS is it only me or do any others of you feel better that we have the patriot act after looking at this?

Considering the others who have posted comparisons to polls of Americans in general on the subject . . . nope.

Ajax

[Gawain of Orkeny]

Considering the others who have posted comparisons to polls of Americans in general on the subject . . . nope.

So you answer for all now. Also I wasnt aware that any of these polls claimed 100% support for anything so some may well agree with me. Im no big fan of the patriot act but knowing we have so many people here in the US who believe this scares me more than that does. Not only that I put little stock in these polls. Ive conducted them too many times for SUNY. They get the answers they seek.

[ajaxfetish]

So you answer for all now. Also I wasnt aware that any of these polls claimed 100% support for anything so some may well agree with me. Im no big fan of the patriot act but knowing we have so many people here in the US who believe this scares me more than that does. Not only that I put little stock in these polls. Ive conducted them too many times for SUNY. They get the answers they seek.

Huh? I answer for me. When did I say I answer for all? And if you don't put much stock in these polls, why does it make you feel better about the Patriot Act?

Ajax

[KukriKhan]

Temporarily closed, pending staff consultation.