Like most of humanity, I have been stunned by the sheer savagery and cruelty of the Islamic State. Yet, thousands have flocked to the ISIS forces from the West. For me, it has been a particularly shocking phenomenon. The images that repel us, attract them. Religion is clearly a release for these people. A release from the obligations of decency and humanity. Images show Islamic State fighters laughing and enjoying the torture and murder of captives. Muslim clerics with ISIS assure them that they can treat non-Muslims as lower than animals and commit rape as an Islamically pure act. It has been an incredibly depressing time for those of us who believe that humans can aspire to true greatest of spirit and caring. This Christmas, however, my daughter showed me the YouTube clip below of a man named Matt Harding who goes around the world getting people to dance with him. After watching him, my faith in humanity was restored.
What is so striking about the Islamic State and other extreme Muslim groups is that they most hate joyous expressions from dancing to singing. They throw acid on little girls trying to become educated and destroy the houses of worship of other groups.
Nothing could be a greater antithesis to the hate of these extremists than Matt Harding and people like him:
What is even more reassuring is that he is not alone. Around the world, people are spontaneously singing and dancing. These are a few clips shared by our readers this year. Watching them restores some of the faith in the future that these extremists really cannot extinguish the joy in the world.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwqh4wQPoQk&w=420&h=315%5D
Nick, I am not ridiculing anyone. Insanity is a condition, not a value judgment. And this condition applies to everyone. It’s the “Insanity of Humanity.” Having a belief in a god or gods was probably a positive evolutionary trait that gave those who had it the emotional strength or courage to endure adverse conditions and survive when those without it did not. But this trait has a really bad side to it, too, as evidenced by Man’s propensity for killing and making war, for example. While I may disagree with your or anyone else’s conclusions on the existence of an intelligent higher power in the Universe, I don’t disrespect you for making that choice. Our live experiences have caused us to see things differently, but each perspective is equally valid without complete knowledge of everything.
Pogo, you’re right. Mankind itself is to blame for its bad behavior. Religion and government are just tools Man has used for both beneficial and destructive purposes, and my criticisms of humanity are in using them for power and control instead of only for the betterment of everyone. I believe forming groups and using those tools against others is the real problem. Condemning the tools is an inaccurate shorthand to express this, so I will see how I can revise my terminology in the future. Thanks.
Pogo, do you like anyone who isn’t in your small circle of acceptable religion and ideology? Are you a typical conservative and or Republican? Or are you more extreme than most? Not saying you’re extreme, just wondering if there are more like you out there.
on 1, December 28, 2014 at 1:22 pmPogo Hears a Who
Atheist liberals have a belief in government to replace faith in God.
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Such utter and completed baloney. Propaganda. Again with the liberal bashing….yawn. Pogo you are sounding like a broken record, “liberal…liberal…liberal…liberal…liberal…”
“He is irredeemably flawed, a sinner.”
What mindless twaddle. What other animal is irredeemably flawed? We are living organisms thrust into competition with each other and we will do what it takes to survive. That’s not a flaw, and we aren’t “sinners” because we possess that trait.
You Christians are cut from the same cloth as muslims, the difference being that Christianity is a doomsday cult openly pining for the extermination of all humanity so that your fictional messiah will return.
Neither religion nor government is to blame, but man himself.
My experience in over 50 years is that describing those you disagree with as being mentally ill is very likely to be taken as prima facie evidence of bad faith.
What you see as evidence that people are committing horrors “…in the name of their religions and governments” is to others evidence that man relentlessly pursues power over others, and will use any excuse to gain it.
Neither religion not government is to blame! but man himself.
He is irredeemably flawed, a sinner.
Religion is meant to repair that, or limit it.
But man can abuse any tool in his pursuit for profit or power, faith or the state or marriage or charitable organizations or a restaurant.
I don’t blame the hammer when a man uses it to kill.
Tyger, I am always careful to differentiate between organized religion and people’s personal religious beliefs. Anyone familiar w/ history knows more people have been killed in the name of God, than saved in his same name, thanks to organized religion. I have the same disdain as you. That said, I have a deep faith in God and would NEVER ridicule anyone for believing in a force greater than themselves.
Pogo, I’m expressing my opinions in saying that belief in religion or government is insane. I formed these opinions over the last 50+ years from seeing what goes on in the world around me every day. The constant wars, pain, suffering, hunger, starvation, sickness, misery, anger, and all the horrible behavior of humans in the name of their religions and governments is the proof I would point to. I’m constantly amazed that more people have not come to the same conclusions, but I have realized this is normal for the human species. It’s just that we live in a worldwide society that is sick and criminal for causing or allowing these things to exist so prevalently. I’m sorry if you feel this is not a discussion in good faith. I try to state my opinions honestly and openly.
To be honest, I’ve only read 3 or so of his comments. You could be correct. Someone who chooses “ararchist” as their nom de plume is not someone to be taken seriously.
“Their religious beliefs, or lack of them, obviously did not necessarily cause, and certainly did not prevent, these acts,”
I disagree, their atheism was central to their ability to kill millions without concern.
I think, that is.
Think Anarchist is a bot, a college sophomore-level protest post generator.
No true Scotsman would have killed 200 million!
Thanks, Tyger, my faith in humanity is restored.
I think anarchist is a recycled, disgruntled, old regime bomb thrower.
The state murder of 200 million you refer to, Pogo, was committed by people who believed in governments. Their religious beliefs, or lack of them, obviously did not necessarily cause, and certainly did not prevent, these acts, so that fact is irrelevant to whether or not either type of belief is insane. Some, but certainly not all Atheists may believe government is good, but that’s crazy, too.
Nick, um, what?
“You’re like small children, should just be quiet and let adults speak.”
It’d be nice if you actually demonstrated intellectual superiority or maturity before claiming it.
Even once would be useful.
Correct grammar in your reply would be a bare minimum.
I think if Tyger and Gilbert take a step back, they will find they have much more in common than exhibited in the last few minutes. Just sayn’.
Atheist liberals have a belief in government to replace faith in God.
I wouldn’t say it’s insane or mentally ill.
Just terribly wrong.
“Islam is much worse than all others.”
Nonsense. Look at the fundamentalist Jews in Israel publicly calling for the genocide of the Palestinian people, or look at the history of Christianity. You people that like to maintain that Islam is some unique evil are just victims of Western media. When you can be trained to an opinion like a barking seal (which you obviously can), you just show that anything that comes from your mouth is suspect. You’re like small children, should just be quiet and let adults speak.