Do Americans see the world in Black and White?

From what I understand about Muslims (which is pretty limited) the jihadists are not just extremists but sacrilegious.. I believe the Quran has its roots in the Torah (much like the Christian bible) all of which hold a religious law expressly prohibiting the killing of other men..

The impression I was given is that its the job of a god, profit or the messiah to rid the world of the non-devout at the end of days (rapture, whatever).. Making the act of killing men on religions grounds an attempt to act as a false god, messiah, or profit..

I believe that jihad (as any ethnic cleansing) is an attempt to prematurely bring on the end of days (the job of a profit, messiah, god, whatever) which would additionally be sacrilegious..

Then there is the violation of the religious laws against suicide, in regards to the suicide bombers...

I am not a particularly religious sort, and may be laboring under some misconceptions here.
This is likely just a view I had developed as a product of having served in the military and a strong belief in religious tolerance.. But its simple and rational so it works well for me...

 

I can honestly say I have never heard that excuse before.
I have heard a similar claim made against the USA and Israel (via their obvious religious foreign policy).
I think you are giving Jihadists far more credit than they deserve.
I think it far more likely it is the far more human desire for power/resources and land.

 

You cant help people you don't respect (at least you cant do much a job of it) .. Most Muslims are respectable people, they just have obvious cultural differences.. To them religious law and social law are one in the same, not something easy for most Americans (and likely Europeans) to fully appreciate. (its counter-intuitive to our culture).
I have met Jewish fundamentalists in that past that were willing to sit down with me for a few hours and debate a bit about their appreciation of religious law. I am sure its that exposure that makes Muslims much easier for me to accept.. Though I would like to think I would be tolerant regardless, as I have a real issue with repression in general..

My earlier argument could be used in all situations involving ethnic cleansing or religious war of any sort between all your major accepted religions (Jewish, Islamic, and Christian).. Predominantly because they share similar laws in regards to murder, suicide, and false gods/prohibits (whatever)

Because I am personally not religious my individual analysis is that religion is simply a tool for the manipulation of the masses..
As such I can certainly appreciate the perspective of it being used to gain wealth and resources through the abuse of its leaders..
However I feel that those at the lower levels, the true believer/follower draw a profound sense of spiritualism from their involvement, which I can respect...
Spiritualism is powerful and profound like a sense of enlightenment, 2 things that are rarely experienced this day in age... I just wouldn't feel right depriving someone of either..

I do realize that its a kind of a mute point as my argument would never hold up to anyone who has true faith in their religion anyway.. That's the power of faith....

 

I am American and I see the world as a double NO Triple rainbow OMG it's a triple rainbowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

 

I don't understand this part.

Imho, I agree, that is what is the norm in Muslim countries.
I'm not sure most/moderate/normal Muslims seeking a life in "western" countries are seeking to supplant their home countries system onto their adopted home...it might even be why they are moving in the first place.
That's the basic premise of a fundamentalist, isn't it? Move in/Take over.
I'm sure the UK and US has a few "religious laws" too.
Plus we accommodate some Jewish and Muslim law through the Arbitration Act.
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&biw=...=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=991f2ea502ba5f9a
I do get your point, though.

True. But, imho, it is generally one sided (OBL invoking Jihad against the west and we don't retaliate with a Christian "Jihad")...or moderation over fundamentalism of the same religion within a country (Afghanistan/Iraq).

I agree.

Seriously? I disagree. I find it completely unacceptable and hypocritical...it's an excuse.

 

What I meant was that I have found ways to respect people, makes it much easier to do a good job/take pride in being as helpful as I can be for them.. I feel that if you lack respect for them, it becomes difficult to be productive/helpful..

I think many immigrants move as a financial strategy more than a social/religious one... The standard of living is much higher in American and European countries than many of those in the east.

I do agree that here in the U.S. our legal system seems to show favoritism towards Christianity.

Social and political climate does seem to pick and choose which religious wars they single out/draw attention too (and which they look the other way about)

I don't agree with religion being used as a tool for personal, political, or economic gain.. Only can see how it might be used that way...

I use the word "appreciate" to describe a position of understanding rather than welcoming..

 

I see. Fair enough.
I guess I am the same way when people thrust their religion in my face.
I guess I can have a baseline of respect untill they cross the line.
That goes for most people, actually.

On balance, perhaps...but we have our fair share of shit holes too (pardon my French).

In many ways it is a slave to it.

Who?

Fair enough.

I hoped that is what you meant.

 

I think in this environment often people look for ways to respect/be respectful of others (which I think is great) however i fear that in less liberal settings it may be less common..

(How did the French get that reputation?)
We have some rough neighborhoods/communities around here too, but for the most part I think we have it pretty good..

Being that I am not Christian I'm not familiar with their current plight/hardships.. I am a bit curious about their repression now...

Religious/ethnic wars in general.. Mostly in Eastern countries and/or prior to current time.. The crusades would be a good example.. Native peoples around the world.. Whomever you don't hear about (because history is written by the victors).

I may take a bit of liberty in my use of many words at times.. I tend to play a bit on irony and/or sarcasm too.. It occasionally provokes some pretty interesting discussions..

Whats the extent British interest/rule in places like the Falkland Islands? Especially in light of the oil and natural gas discoveries?
Will they let another Iran slip through their fingers?

 

Did anyone already point out that the question "Do Americans see the world in black and white?" is an incredibly black and white question?

If so, my work here is done.

 

It was a question not a statement.
The answer can be yes, no or maybe.
If the answer is no, there is an explanation why, or there should be.
If the answer is yes, there should be an explanation why.
You get the idea.
How should I have worded the question?

The British interest/rule is total/absolute.

Francophobia.

 

how do americans see the world, perhaps?

would have been a completely different discussion then, but less black and white i suppose..

 

How do Americans see the world? Yes, I like that. I think my OP question was based on my own observations (not prejudice). But, yeah, that's a better question.
If you say: "They see the world in a fairly black and white way" I'll do time in prison, I honestly will.