The Paris Attack Debate Thread

[The Minsky Moment]

If I'm a little defensive here, it's because I happen to belong to a religion (Judaism) which probably takes the prize for the most violent-themed holy books.

Interesting, I always thought you were an atheist.

I was born into the religion.  As to belief in God, I'm an ambiguist.

[crazy canuck]

What attempts have you made to learn about what actual Muslims believe and practice?

I stopped well short of interviewing millions of practicing Muslims.

Yes you stopped well short of having an informed opinion, but that didn't stop you from expressing one. 

[Valmy]

Yes you stopped well short of having an informed opinion, but that didn't stop you from expressing one. 

Well this is Languish. If we required that well...you know.

[crazy canuck]

Yes you stopped well short of having an informed opinion, but that didn't stop you from expressing one. 

Well this is Languish. If we required that well...you know.

But we have at least reached the point where Hans is ostracized for saying that there are no legitimate climate scientists and Yi is called out for dumb comments about a religion he understands only through the lens of Fox News.

[Valmy]

I would never ostracize my buddy Hans just for screaming probably untrue things about climate change 

[Eddie Teach]

I was born into the religion. 

I was born into Protestant Christianity, but I would not say I belong to it. Though I suppose I am baptized and even became a member of a church back in sixth grade or so.

[Valmy]

I was born into the religion. 

I was born into Protestant Christianity, but I would not say I belong to it. Though I suppose I am baptized and even became a member of a church back in sixth grade or so.

Being a Jew is a little different.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

I think this is a strawman - the issue is not what non-Muslims believe, the issue is what the "certifiable lunatics" believe.

And they believe that they are good and true Muslims.

And I am not sure I am buying this claim that they are some tiny minority - it seems like there are a lots and lots of Muslims who support this kind of violence, even if they are not engaging in it themselves. Indeed, it seems to me like there are lots of Muslims out there who are mostly constrained by their lack of power to impose their religious will on others, rather than being restrained by the lack of ideology stating that said will ought not be forced onto others.

But I have no problem conceding that there are lots and lots of Muslims for whom their religion is no more intrinsically violent than your typical American Christian, and they are perfectly fine neighbors. Most all of them that I have personally experienced, in fact.

The problem, as Minsky mentioned elsewhere in reference to Jewish violence, is one of numbers.  When there are over 1.5 billion adherents to a religion, "lots" in the absolute sense can still be "some tiny minority" in the relative sense.  Unfortunately, as various groups have demonstrated over the past several decades, it doesn't take many people in absolute terms to cause a shitload of death, destruction, and chaos.

[Eddie Teach]

Being a Jew is a little different.

But should it be?

At any rate, many ethnic Jews consider themselves non-religious.

[Jacob]

Being a Jew is a little different.

But should it be?

At any rate, many ethnic Jews consider themselves non-religious.

It doesn't stop people from ascribing various proclivities to Jews, be they religious or non-religious.

[Eddie Teach]

Well, sure, Malthus eats babies, but that's just because he likes the taste.

[garbon]

Being a Jew is a little different.

But should it be?

I'm not sure why that matters.

[Malthus]

Well, sure, Malthus eats babies, but that's just because he likes the taste.

The pain and sorrow of their parents is also an inducement. 

Though that may be more a "lawyer" thing, than a "Jew" thing. 

[Eddie Teach]

I'm not sure why that matters.

Because we're being a little too quick to discard our own cultural heritage.

[The Brain]

Coming up: a baby who eats Jews...?!