Do Religious Moderates Validate Religious Extremists?

**Red Panda** · 08-22-2010 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by xezene

They treat religion and religious extremists seriously, as though their side is only slightly less sophisticated then the atheist position. They do this with good intentions, to create a civil argument. But the fact is that the religious/extremist side should not be taken seriously, and it is not sophisticated at all.

It takes two to have a debate/argument. If people were to just disregard the religious extremist position as nonsense, and not give the religious extremists anything to fight against, the religious extremists would not be enabled.

That's not completely true, because extremists act on the society as whole not just a debate or argument. Unless the society changes to the way they want it to, they won't stop, that's their goal.

**Raichan** · 08-22-2010 12:41 PM

No. The majority of religious moderates (including myself) are not responsible for religious extremists who are motivated by greed and insanity in the disguise of religious zeal.

There are many religious moderates who have tried their best to denounce evil and contribute meaningfully to society. To hold them responsible for the crime of others is ridiculous.

**xezene** · 08-22-2010 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Krou

That's not completely true, because extremists act on the society as whole not just a debate or argument. Unless the society changes to the way they want it to, they won't stop, that's their goal.

Good point, worth listening to.

Extremists are very one-way in their thinking.

**Garrett Petersen** · 08-22-2010 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by izzie

No. The majority of religious moderates (including myself) are not responsible for religious extremists who are motivated by greed and insanity in the disguise of religious zeal.

There are many religious moderates who have tried their best to denounce evil and contribute meaningfully to society. To hold them responsible for the crime of others is ridiculous.

Are they motivated by greed and insanity? I don't think so. I think flying a plane into a building is an entirely moral action (moral here meaning "motivated by ideas of right and wrong").

I don't think that extreme good or evil actions should be differentiated from each other as much as they are. The thought processes that went into the holocaust and the 9/11 attacks are not different from the thought processes that go into many charity efforts.

I think that the very same people who were willing to sacrifice their lives to fight the perceived "evils" of Western society would have been willing to dedicate their lives to combating AIDS or poverty had they only met different people.

**Zic** · 08-22-2010 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Garrett Petersen

Do religious moderates enable religious extremists? Discuss.

They do, in a way. By not reacting to extremists, it boils down to a silent agreement.
"You're either with them, or against them." It does concern moderates. At least it should.

Until we all start to take responsibility, until we do all we can to improve the character of our communities, we'll never break the cycle of violence and indifference.
Carrie P. Meek

**Raichan** · 08-22-2010 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Garrett Petersen

Are they motivated by greed and insanity? I don't think so.

I think flying a plane into a building is an entirely moral action (moral here meaning "motivated by ideas of right and wrong").

So claiming to know better about the unseen intentions of terrorists mean that we can freely criticize all religious moderates for the extremists?

I don't think that extreme good or evil actions should be differentiated from each other as much as they are. The thought processes that went into the holocaust and the 9/11 attacks are not different from the thought processes that go into many charity efforts.

I think that the very same people who were willing to sacrifice their lives to fight the perceived "evils" of Western society would have been willing to dedicate their lives to combating AIDS or poverty had they only met different people.

Fyi, the usual good moderate religious person won't include murder of innocent people in their thought processes when they give charity or do other religious acts.

Blaming moderate religious people for extremists is still ridiculous, if that's what you indicate (I said IF).

The reality is, it is just too easy for a minority to twist an ideology that's used by a majority for the greater good.

**Zic** · 08-22-2010 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by izzie

The reality is, it is just too easy for a minority to twist an ideology that's used by a majority for the greater good.

And it seems to be near impossible for a majority to speak against and work on preventing such acts; it is, after all, easier to state that "it's none of my business".