posted 09-12- 12:08 PM               

Anyone who asks what bad religion has done can look to this for proof.

posted 09-12- 01:22 PM               

Catholics and Protestants dont' kill one another in the US but they do in Ireland. Same religions, different people.

posted 09-12- 07:28 PM               

The terrorist' source of power is an artifical strife between segreated groups.

The way to solve the issue to provide oppurtunities to all, so they have what they need.

However, Islamic leaders tell their people not to accept western influence.

By keeping their people seperate, the powerful maintain the power, to the detriment of the their people, and the people of the world.

As someone at work said, the Islamic leaders are using Maslow's theory of "The Hierarchy of Needs" to control people.

(This is my problem with Black Muslim leader Faracon)

posted 09-13- 02:56 PM               

If I may make a leap, I think it simply suits regimes in power to have an internal enemy to point at and blame for their own failings. That group is usually the group which is most readily distinguishable from the masses. For instance, had there been a sizable African-German population before the Second World War, I feel pretty sure that they would have been singled out instead of the Jewish population since by virtue of the color of their skin, they could be identified by the crazies more easily.

Of course my example is far fetched, but you get the idea. They pick on those most easily defined as the "other". It's going on right now as a result of the attacks. While it has brought out the best in us, it has also brought out the worst. Stupid individuals are now going through phone books and threatening any businesses with the word "Arab" in them. They look different so that base Human instinct makes it easier for the foolish to segregate and attack them.

In the US, it's still race even though we have made great strides in the last half century. In Yugoslavia it was religion because as much as many of them there would like to deny it, they are almost all Slavs and therefore of the same ethnic group. Therefore, for people like Milosovic of Serbia and Tujman of Croatia, religion was the difference to be exploited for their own political ends.

To be sure, the people bear some responsibility. Despite being masterfully manipulated by their leaders, ignorance is no excuse. Anyone wishing a remarkable read on this score should pick up "The Fall of Yugoslavia - The Third Balkan War" by Misha Glenny.

We should celebrate our common humanity, not be divided by our petty differences by those who would manipulate us.

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