6 ms·

Iran can be secular and pragmatic, but this dispute stems from religion. Iranians practice Shia Islam, which makes them heretics in the eyes of the (Sunni) Isla

by ggreer 12y ago

Iran can be secular and pragmatic, but this dispute stems from religion. Iranians practice Shia Islam, which makes them heretics in the eyes of the (Sunni) Islamic State. The Islamic State interprets certain bits of Sura 47 to mean they should behead disbelievers and heretics. Until ISIS reads the Qu'ran less literally, the two sides simply cannot coexist in peace.

bostik 12y ago
This strikes a chord with a pet peeve of mine. For nearly 20 years I've said that organised religion is just another way of asserting power over people. Quoting from you: > [...] two sides simply cannot coexist in peace. That is divide and conquer played out to near perfection. The two sides are supposedly the same, but due to their own religious dogmas, they hold an existential grudge against one another. Those who wish to maintain and exploit the situation can pick any number of small clashes and turn them into straightorward propaganda. And while the strategy is from the Roman emperors, the tactics are (as stated in the article) definitely from Stasi: surveillance, suspicion, paranoia, disappearing people and assassinated leader candidates. Even potential ones. I wouldn't be surprised if the IS forces allowed a small number of individuals to escape from each of their massacres. What better propaganda than the rumours spread by few lucky survivors? As to their units' training and composure... Again: isolation and suspicion, coupled with unwavering loyalty. There's a dirty word for that, and it starts with B. Which, incidentally, would complete the circuit and bring us back to religion.
- takatin 12y ago
  > The two sides are supposedly the same, but due to their own religious dogmas, they hold an existential grudge against one another. Reminded me of this Emo Philips bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D88DQIJmxRI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D88DQIJmxRI
- cubancigar11 12y ago
  I am not a native English speaker. What is that word?
  - wsc981 12y ago
    Again: isolation and suspicion, coupled with unwavering loyalty. There's a dirty word for that, and it starts with B. I think he means brainwashing, judging by the context. But I'm not a native English speaker either.
    - bostik 12y ago
      That's the word. The dirtyness comes from context. And I'm not a native speaker either, btw.
aikah 12y ago
> Until ISIS reads the Qu'ran less literally That's the point of extremism, you do not "compromise". If one believes in the Quran,why would one take a part literally and another part figuratively ? Or is it a limitation of language ? the fact that men invented it(along with books) therefore it is impossible everybody agrees on its semantics anyway? which makes the Quran imperfect ,since it relies on devices men invented, languages and books.

by ggreer 12y ago

bostik 12y ago

This strikes a chord with a pet peeve of mine. For nearly 20 years I've said that organised religion is just another way of asserting power over people. Quoting from you: > [...] two sides simply cannot coexist in peace. That is divide and conquer played out to near perfection. The two sides are supposedly the same, but due to their own religious dogmas, they hold an existential grudge against one another. Those who wish to maintain and exploit the situation can pick any number of small clashes and turn them into straightorward propaganda. And while the strategy is from the Roman emperors, the tactics are (as stated in the article) definitely from Stasi: surveillance, suspicion, paranoia, disappearing people and assassinated leader candidates. Even potential ones. I wouldn't be surprised if the IS forces allowed a small number of individuals to escape from each of their massacres. What better propaganda than the rumours spread by few lucky survivors? As to their units' training and composure... Again: isolation and suspicion, coupled with unwavering loyalty. There's a dirty word for that, and it starts with B. Which, incidentally, would complete the circuit and bring us back to religion.

takatin 12y ago
> The two sides are supposedly the same, but due to their own religious dogmas, they hold an existential grudge against one another. Reminded me of this Emo Philips bit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D88DQIJmxRI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D88DQIJmxRI
cubancigar11 12y ago
I am not a native English speaker. What is that word?
- wsc981 12y ago
  Again: isolation and suspicion, coupled with unwavering loyalty. There's a dirty word for that, and it starts with B. I think he means brainwashing, judging by the context. But I'm not a native English speaker either.
  - bostik 12y ago
    That's the word. The dirtyness comes from context. And I'm not a native speaker either, btw.

aikah 12y ago

> Until ISIS reads the Qu'ran less literally That's the point of extremism, you do not "compromise". If one believes in the Quran,why would one take a part literally and another part figuratively ? Or is it a limitation of language ? the fact that men invented it(along with books) therefore it is impossible everybody agrees on its semantics anyway? which makes the Quran imperfect ,since it relies on devices men invented, languages and books.