tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162431493776686444.post4831323477386155400..comments2023-10-29T05:13:15.825-05:00Comments on Another War-on-Terror Blog: Al Shabaab May Be Running Somalia Now: Just What We NeedBrian H. Gillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13209697542675181894noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162431493776686444.post-72704482246568963712009-03-23T22:25:00.000-05:002009-03-23T22:25:00.000-05:00Politics and the Future, Thanks for the kind words...Politics and the Future, <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the kind words, but I'm afraid I can't agree with you, regarding Islam. <BR/><BR/>There are very many varieties of Islam. Some, like the wild and wacky version that's used to run Saudi Arabia, may very likely be a threat. <BR/><BR/>Indonesia, with some recent exceptions, has been an example of an "Islamic" country which is quite civilized. <BR/><BR/>I think an analogy might be Christianity: particularly Protestantism. The claim that there are 30,000 may be an exaggeration. (There's an interesting defense of that number <A HREF="http://forums.catholic.com/showpost.php?p=2625524&postcount=14" REL="nofollow">here</A>.) <BR/><BR/>Arbitrarily limiting "Christian" to mean Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian-Reformed (I don't), the number goes down to 100 to 110 - the actual count varies from year to year, but has stayed within these limits since about 1960 (<A HREF="http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/faculty/sutton/Design/Assets/Sutton%20&%20Chaves%20JSSR%2004.pdf" REL="nofollow">Explaining Schism in American Protestant Denominations, 1890–1990<BR/></A>, Sutton and Chaves). <BR/><BR/>There's quite a lot of diversity in the beliefs of that limited set of denominations. When you add the tiny denominations with a dozen or so members, there's even more imaginative theology in play. <BR/><BR/>I think it's arguable that this is the case with Islam. <BR/><BR/>Given that assumption, I don't think it's reasonable to assume the Al Qaeda is a representative example of Islam as a whole, any more than I think the KKK of the sixties was typical of Christianity. <BR/><BR/>Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and like-minded people: Yes, those are a very real threat. <BR/><BR/>Most Muslims I've corresponded with, no more of a threat than I am. <BR/><BR/>About Somalia being a threat: There's a recent post that addresses a related issue: "<A HREF="http://anotherwaronterrorblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/somalia-minnesota-and-common-sense.html" REL="nofollow">Somalia, Minnesota, and Common Sense </A>" (March 22, 2009).Brian H. Gillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13209697542675181894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162431493776686444.post-21996699226989081392009-01-27T23:16:00.000-06:002009-01-27T23:16:00.000-06:00I don't think Islam's the threat. It's the homicid...I don't think Islam's the threat. It's the homicidal extremists who are the threat. But other than that you've got a good point there, P and F.Brigidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4162431493776686444.post-36825815690318828202009-01-27T17:34:00.000-06:002009-01-27T17:34:00.000-06:00"The War on Terror is very real, it isn't somethin..."The War on Terror is very real, it isn't something that can be safely ignored, and it isn't 'over there.' It's every place where people aren't living quite the way that the Taliban or Al Qaeda - or Al Shabaab - think they should."<BR/><BR/>Good job with this statement, While many will think it is only overseas they are wrong. The media and Americans ignore the own battle in our land. <BR/><BR/>Somalia is a real threat I think I believe them to be a threat to America and to the war on terror. <BR/><BR/>"Who's running the country does make a difference"<BR/><BR/>Islam is I believe, but not publicly maybe, Islam is rapidly growing and is considered a threat. <BR/><BR/>but please don't qoute me I'm only stating my views I would love to hear other views.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com