June 15, 2007
WANNA COMPARE BODY COUNTS?:
Double Standard Seen Among Terror Critics (HEATHER ROBINSON, June 15, 2007, NY Sun)
Jessica Stern's lecture and those of other participants sought to promote "new thinking against violent extremism and radicalization," according to papers circulated at the conference by the EastWest Institute, a think tank hosting the event in Manhattan.Dr. Stern opened her remarks by saying that, while it may be true there is presently more violence being committed in the name of Islam than in the name of other religions, "all three major monotheistic religions have produced violence."
She then drew a parallel between what she characterized as violence in the name of Islam and violence in the name of Judaism and Christianity, as well as in official responses to such violence on the part of leaders of all three faiths.
"I've heard a lot of bashing of Muslim clerics for not stepping up to the plate and condemning extremist violence," she said. "But Catholic priests are not stepping up to condemn those who kill abortion doctors…[and] rabbis are not condemning the violent settlers' movement."
Given 45 million dead Americans, why aren't abortionists the violent extremists? Posted by Orrin Judd at June 15, 2007 6:03 AM
I've only heard of one guy who targeted abortion doctors. Anyone got a higher list?
Posted by: Robert Mitchell Jr. at June 15, 2007 11:19 PM"all three major monotheistic religions have produced violence."
One of them has certainly taken a clear lead in recent decades, though.
"I've heard a lot of bashing of Muslim clerics for not stepping up to the plate and condemning extremist violence," she said. "But Catholic priests are not stepping up to condemn those who kill abortion doctors…[and] rabbis are not condemning the violent settlers' movement."
Yes, Ms. Stern, these are all clearly equivalent: 1) Tens of thousands murdered by organized groups of thousands, supported by millions, all committed to a worldwide theocratic dictatorship. 2) A handful of nuts who've killed a handful of doctors over one law they don't like. 3) One party in the endless Middle East land squabbles, with a similarly low body count and narrow aims. Who can ever tell them apart? Why oh why have there not been identical public reactions?
Posted by: PapayaSF at June 15, 2007 11:30 PMIt was one crackpot who isn't even a Christian who was killing abortion doctors.
Of course, the cross-eyed Christian haters probably weren't praising Bush for his speech at the killed-by-Communists memorial.
How many people did Jesus encourage his disciples to kill?
Mt 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Posted by: Randall Voth at June 16, 2007 3:15 AM"I come not to bring peace, but to bring a sword"
Posted by: oj at June 16, 2007 7:11 AM