Shootings and explosions in Paris

[alfred russel]

Even for Central and Eastern Europe, it's debatable. Czechs are not religious for instance.

It is debatable. However, the degree of religiousity in the US tends to be overstated. Most Americans don't attend church services. Among those that do, the services are increasingly devoid of a lot of religious content (a large percentage of non catholics I know that attend church go to a major mega church that from what I understand has services that are basically motivational speeches, and the main action is the singles social events).

In general, there is a stronger church / state separation in the US than in Europe. In general, there is more religiously oriented discourse from politicians in the US than in Europe. It isn't hard to think the differences are connected: conservative minded voters wanting some official acknowledgement of traditional belief may be satisfied with an official church, nominal power to church officials, holidays, and the maintenance of religious references in things like anthems. Without those in the US, those voters must look to politicians to provide them. (Not to mention the very different histories--with european countries needing to politically neuter churches, and thus vague political references to religion sounding reactionary in the wake of those struggles).

[Maximus]

"You're in my prayers" is non-denominational.  It doesn't reference any specific religion.

It doesn't actually reference religion at all.

[Josquius]

Thinking about the crap suicide bombers....not only are we lucky in them sticking to the appointed time but in their core tactics.  As suicide bombers they only get one shot. Just imagine how much worse things could be if they didnt stick to their fundie tactics and instead tried a more drawn out campaign

[Eddie Teach]

Eh, they wouldn't be strapping on the vests if there was a more surefire method. Gunmen often get caught or killed before they've killed anyone too. Also, they require more training to be effective.

[Syt]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1116/742211-belgium/

Shots reported in stand-off in Brussels

Armed police have surrounded a building near a canal in the Belgian capital Brussels.

The stand-off is taking place near the Metro of Graaf van Vlaanderen.

Eye-witnesses have said the police are calling on someone inside the building to come out with their hands raised.

The stand-off is taking place on Ransfort street. It is reported shots have been heard.

Local media say a suspect has been detained.

It is unknown if the incident is in anyway connected to the Paris attacks.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/warning-over-brussels-pitstop-radicals-044452607.html

Belgian Police Raid Brussels Jihadi Hot Spot

Heavily armed Belgian police have raided a new address in a Brussels suburb which has become a focal point for religious extermism and fighters going to Syria.

"A large number of police launched a raid on a building in Rue Delaunoy," state broadcaster RTBF said on its website.

Residents were told to stay away from a street which was cordoned off as balaclava-clad officers stormed the premises.

:: Paris Attacks: A Sky News Tonight Special with Adam Boulton from 7pm

Searches in Molenbeek, which has a substantial Muslim population of mostly Moroccan and Turkish immigrants, have been stepped up by authorities since two of the Paris suspects were identified as having lived in the district.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Belgian police raided several addresses in the district. Seven people have so far been arrested in Belgium in connection with the atrocity.

Monday's fresh raid was carried out as Belgium's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said authorities would be taking  "more action" in the area.

He also urged fellow European countries: "We need to exchange more and more intelligence."

The move came as Belgian national Abdelhamid Abaaoud was named the suspected mastermind of the Paris attacks.

Abaaoud, currently in Syria, reportedly also has links to thwarted attacks on a Paris-bound high-speed train and church.

:: Suspected Mastermind Of Paris Attacks Named

Authorities in Belgium have warned the Molenbeek suburb has become a breeding ground for radical Islamists.

Belgium's Prime Minister Charles Michel, whose coalition government has been fighting an ideological war against Islamists that have recruited more than 350 Belgians to fight in Syria, has described Molenbeek as a "gigantic problem".

A Molenbeek connection keeps coming up in cases of Islamist attacks in Europe going back at least to the 2004 train bombings in Madrid, where one of those jailed for planning them was a Moroccan from the borough.

Mr Michel's words have been echoed by his Interior Minister Jan Jambon, who has declared Molenbeek needs to be "cleansed," not only of militants among Belgium's half-a-million Muslims, but of French radicals using the district as a discreet base from which to lie low and plan armed attacks on their homeland.

A thriving black market in automatic weapons provides potential terrorists access to the means to carry out deadly attacks similar to those that left 129 people dead in Paris at the weekend, it is claimed.

"With 500-1,000 euros you can get a military weapon in half an hour," said Bilal Benyaich, a senior fellow at Brussels think-tank the Itinera Institute, who has studied the spread of radical Islam in Belgium.

"That makes Brussels more like a big US city," in mostly gun-free Europe, he added. "Molenbeek is a pitstop for radicals and criminals of all sorts. It's a place where you can disappear."

With some districts in Molenbeek comprised of a population that is 80% Muslim, and a suspicion of Belgian authorities among many immigrant communities, police have struggled to gather useful intelligence to identify and prevent such militant attacks.

Edwin Bakker, professor at the centre for terrorism and counterterrorism at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands, said that in segregated parts of Brussels where the immigrant population don't feel part of the Belgian state, the police have little grip.

"In such a case it's very difficult to get feedback from the community," he said. "That means while the neighbours may have seen something going on, they're not passing it to the police. Then it becomes very tough for intelligence agencies as only relying on them and not local police is not sufficient."

Young Muslims in the district have have spoken of their shock at the Paris attacks and distanced themselves from fanatics.

"Killing a person is a major sin in our religion," one told Belgian media, adding he had "nothing" to do with Islamic State.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

You can thank Phillipe Moureaux for the fucked up state of Molenbeek.
(apparently a selfdeclared "porteur des valises" for the FLN.)
what he did in Molenbeek I've seen described recently as the local version of the FLN-ideology.

[Tamas]

They have arrested the guy they were looking for, In Brussels.

[Syt]

They have arrested the guy they were looking for, In Brussels.

It's already been denied. They got someone else.

[Martinus]

"You're in my prayers" is non-denominational.  It doesn't reference any specific religion.

It doesn't actually reference religion at all.

I think the opposition to prayers is more about objection to manifesting religion/spirituality in public than actual piety. But let's end this debate as it is unproductive.

[Duque de Bragança]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1116/742211-belgium/

Shots reported in stand-off in Brussels

Armed police have surrounded a building near a canal in the Belgian capital Brussels.

The stand-off is taking place near the Metro of Graaf van Vlaanderen.

Eye-witnesses have said the police are calling on someone inside the building to come out with their hands raised.

The stand-off is taking place on Ransfort street. It is reported shots have been heard.

Local media say a suspect has been detained.

It is unknown if the incident is in anyway connected to the Paris attacks.

This Graaf von Vlaanderen or Comte de Flandre metro station, is known to travelers and backpackers since the Génération Europe youth hostel is not far away, offering a glimpse of that  islamist "hotspot" to people dropping by. I was there once or twice, in 2007 for the first time, and I remember that I was not the only one surprised by the islamist "ghetto" vibe.

edit: year added for perspective

[Valmy]

They never do - it's just not done. The French equivalent is "Vive la France, vive la Republique". 

Well right. It was 'Vive le Roi' even back when the Catholic Church owned half the country.

[Martim Silva]

Name of the terrorist having a French passport has been revealed. [spoiler]• Ismaël Omar Mostefaï[/spoiler]
No real surprise, petty suburban delinquent, convicted 8 times, but still no jail time (bleeding heart judges?), yet listed as radical (classé S). 

He's also of portuguese descent (portuguese mother, algerian father) 

We're really everywhere...

[Josquius]

Eh, they wouldn't be strapping on the vests if there was a more surefire method. Gunmen often get caught or killed before they've killed anyone too. Also, they require more training to be effective.

Planting.multiple bombs in different  places

[alfred russel]

Planting.multiple bombs in different  places

Sort of like the kamikaze pilots. "We will fill your plane with bombs and then you will fly it into their ships."

"Actually sir, if I'm close enough to fly into the ships, couldn't I just drop the bombs from point blank range? Then I could fly back here, reload, and attack again."

"Hmm, interesting point. But...crash your plane into their ship anyway."

[crazy canuck]

Okay. It's like showing rough BDSM porn to a rape victim.

It would be exactly like showing rough BDSM porn to a rape victim if the well-wishers had offered to dress up as terrorists and stage mock attacks to express their sympathy.

I know the Americans meant well with the whole praying thing so I don't get the outcry BUT you do seem unable to understand the European viewpoint:

In Europe unless you are seriously religious, Christianity is A religion. So it seems obvious that when a religiously motivated massacre happens, you don't necessarily want to mention praying.

Now obviously Americans are more accustomed to the thought/general social consensus of Christianity being THE religion, so this doesn't compute for them.

But here's the thing - in north america Christianity isn't "the religion".  We've always had a strong Jewish presence, and our diversity has increased over time with hindu, muslim, sikh and other religions.

"You're in my prayers" is non-denominational.  It doesn't reference any specific religion.

When ever I hear Christians saying that in North American Christianity isn't "the religion" I have to wonder what religion they think is the dominant religion.  Just because religious minorities can freely practice their religion doesn't make Christianity any less dominant.  Here is a small example, Easter and Christmas is still holidays.