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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIsis has reached new depths of depravity. But there is a brutal logic behind it
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/08/isis-islamic-state-ideology-sharia-syria-iraq-jordan-pilotIslamic traditions are filled with stories of mercy and tolerance. But it is not enough to tell these stories in isolation from other dark chapters in Islamic history that feed groups such as Isis. Isis uses these stories, combined with ideas and concepts accepted by the mainstream, as part of an ideology and a political project in the making. Muslim clerics speak in the realm of theory; Isis practises through stories and action.
What the group does is to match its practices with the practical history of Islam, even though many rightly view these practices as contradictory to Islamic teachings. The genius of Isis is that it makes people compare between its acts and those of early Muslims, rather than between its practices and the jihad on paper.
This is why when you go on the religion forum, you hear the "no true soctosman" fallacy discused. It is not enough tio say that a religion does not allow atrocity, because the actions of it's leaders will be treated as the example to follow, especially if they won for a period of time. It is why, despite all the "heritage, not hate" stuff, we have every right to dislike the confederate flag, because our equivalent to isis, the KKK and Neo-Nazis, will look upon the action of a Nathan Bedford Forrest and say "well they burned black people on a fire, and they were GOOD Christians!"
and lest you think I pulled that example from thin air:
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/billboard-honors-kkk-founder-historic-selma-bridge-article-1.2140326
Note the line describing the tactic to "put the skeer on em." That was the tactic used against black people by Mr. Forrest, and by his followers TODAY. No, you cannot just quote where the religions advise not to do evil, you must show example where followers opf that relgion actively STOP atrocities! It goes for Isis and their brtethren in soul, the KKK, as well as the common "Good hearted people" that are inspired by them.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)(literally) clothed in the garb of religious conservatism.
Their tactics and attitudes aren't that different from other nihilist movements that cloak themselves in Maoist, Marxist, fascist, nationalist etc. ideology.
It's just the latest iteration of a certain mentality.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,262 posts)http://www.iep.utm.edu/nihilism/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/415081/nihilism
Which nihilist movements are you thinking of "that cloak themselves in Maoist, Marxist, fascist, nationalist etc. ideology"?
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)Look at the Australian kid who joined Isis and blew himself up. Twenty years ago he would have been a prime candidate for a Columbine style event.
muriel_volestrangler
(101,262 posts)It makes them people who are happy killing people not like them. They, and the other groups you list, have pretty specific beliefs about what is 'moral'.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)In the 60s and 70s all the guerillas were marxist this and maoist that. We created the mujahideen in the 80s to fight the evil godless commies. Now those "freedom fighters" have morphed into a purely destructive force that attract people with a heart of darkness.
phil89
(1,043 posts)doesn't come close to making sense to call them nihilists.
CJCRANE
(18,184 posts)sociopaths and misfits, mostly adolescents with little knowledge of history or religion.
They are bullies, nothing more.