A study done a couple of years ago indicated that only 23% of Christian Americans see God as loving with most considering God to be angry and judgmental towards us. While I could not find that exact study, this one was equally disheartening for one who believe in a God of love and a Jesus who set an example of compassion, forgiveness, and, yes, love.*https://www.barna.org/barna-update/faith-spirituality/611-christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees#.VAWizxt0yzk*A friend from my church gave me a disc called God and the Brain. While it only reinforced many of my own thoughts, it presented them in ways I’d not considered. I discovered the series is also on Youtube. Even if you don’t believe in God, you’ll find some of the stats and ‘evidences’ presented to be interesting. *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA8ftVVyB-g*It has always left me aghast to see how many people are willing to do evil and harm in the name of God/Allah. If all one does is read the “Red Words” in the bible, those words accredited to Jesus, there is nothing that justifies the harm we do to one another in the name of God. The Quran is also heavier on words of kindness and compassion than many know.There are a lot of people in the world who wear suits and ties and still feel that killing women and children as a side effect of reaching goals is allowable, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, Asia, or the Americas. There is NOT enough love or respect in the world.Respectfully,C.
You are one of my favorite commentators, Martens. Your comments are always astute and respectful. Once again, I find myself in agreement with you. Thank you.@ Ruff Thank you for your reply Ruff, and as with Martens, I am in total agreement with you.@ old1953 thank you for pointing out that which should be better known in a nation like ours. It is easier to debase an enemy and make them less than what they actually are than it is to admit those against whom we fight might actually be more intelligent than the one disparaging them. Even in GC, we see people who take the position that if you don’t think like “I” do, then you are stupid, lazy, or worse. Thank you for your excellent comment.Sincerely, to everyone,C.
…" is a major drawback to understanding just what has to be done to combat them."
Germany has an ongoing and lauded programme dealing with the Germans tempted to go to fight in Syria/Iraq or are already in Syria/Iraq. They aim to provide counselling for all involved including their families. These programmes all underline re-integration back into society. They have 3 angles or approaches depending on: 1) Families report/fear someone is being radicalised and may leave Germany 2) people who return whether disillusioned/traumatised with what they experienced or they still pose a threat at all (because sometimes their issue does not extend to the German state or the West in general) 3) those who may have committed crimes. (I’m hazy on this last one; it was a radio programme as I drove home)However, I cannot locate this programme on the net…One thing I did note: German laws do not criminalise foreign fighters travelling to Syria. The debate in the UK is very much about criminalising it, passport confiscations…
The sword isn’t nearly as effective as 2,000 pound bombs, “Hellfire” missiles, drones, napalm, or other “smart weapons” directed from miles away, against civilian populations like in Gaza, Afghanistan, or Iraq. Nukes and chemical weapons by the way aren’t really sound tactical weapons, which is why we don’t often use them. (We just sell ’em.)
ConserveGov over 9 years ago
Unless you’re dealing with cavemen that think Allah wants them to kill women and children.I doubt they’ve seen a pen.
chazandru over 9 years ago
A study done a couple of years ago indicated that only 23% of Christian Americans see God as loving with most considering God to be angry and judgmental towards us. While I could not find that exact study, this one was equally disheartening for one who believe in a God of love and a Jesus who set an example of compassion, forgiveness, and, yes, love.*https://www.barna.org/barna-update/faith-spirituality/611-christians-more-like-jesus-or-pharisees#.VAWizxt0yzk*A friend from my church gave me a disc called God and the Brain. While it only reinforced many of my own thoughts, it presented them in ways I’d not considered. I discovered the series is also on Youtube. Even if you don’t believe in God, you’ll find some of the stats and ‘evidences’ presented to be interesting. *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA8ftVVyB-g*It has always left me aghast to see how many people are willing to do evil and harm in the name of God/Allah. If all one does is read the “Red Words” in the bible, those words accredited to Jesus, there is nothing that justifies the harm we do to one another in the name of God. The Quran is also heavier on words of kindness and compassion than many know.There are a lot of people in the world who wear suits and ties and still feel that killing women and children as a side effect of reaching goals is allowable, whether in Ukraine, the Middle East, Asia, or the Americas. There is NOT enough love or respect in the world.Respectfully,C.
BaltoBill over 9 years ago
Like fake Sean Connery said on SNL fake celebrity Jeopardy: “The penis mightier”.
chazandru over 9 years ago
You are one of my favorite commentators, Martens. Your comments are always astute and respectful. Once again, I find myself in agreement with you. Thank you.@ Ruff Thank you for your reply Ruff, and as with Martens, I am in total agreement with you.@ old1953 thank you for pointing out that which should be better known in a nation like ours. It is easier to debase an enemy and make them less than what they actually are than it is to admit those against whom we fight might actually be more intelligent than the one disparaging them. Even in GC, we see people who take the position that if you don’t think like “I” do, then you are stupid, lazy, or worse. Thank you for your excellent comment.Sincerely, to everyone,C.
OmqR-IV.0 over 9 years ago
…" is a major drawback to understanding just what has to be done to combat them."
Germany has an ongoing and lauded programme dealing with the Germans tempted to go to fight in Syria/Iraq or are already in Syria/Iraq. They aim to provide counselling for all involved including their families. These programmes all underline re-integration back into society. They have 3 angles or approaches depending on: 1) Families report/fear someone is being radicalised and may leave Germany 2) people who return whether disillusioned/traumatised with what they experienced or they still pose a threat at all (because sometimes their issue does not extend to the German state or the West in general) 3) those who may have committed crimes. (I’m hazy on this last one; it was a radio programme as I drove home)However, I cannot locate this programme on the net…One thing I did note: German laws do not criminalise foreign fighters travelling to Syria. The debate in the UK is very much about criminalising it, passport confiscations…
Dtroutma over 9 years ago
The sword isn’t nearly as effective as 2,000 pound bombs, “Hellfire” missiles, drones, napalm, or other “smart weapons” directed from miles away, against civilian populations like in Gaza, Afghanistan, or Iraq. Nukes and chemical weapons by the way aren’t really sound tactical weapons, which is why we don’t often use them. (We just sell ’em.)