Why oh Why..

[Lifetime]

Here's a question that I've been pondering on for a while..
Why is it that people of the Islamic faith are so strongly devoted to their cause? They (at least the ones I know) lead very disciplined lives, are faithful to a fault, and live their lives to the very letter of their holy text. Some are even willing to kill or give their lives for the religion..
So my question is, what makes these people tick? Not just the Taliban, or terrorists, but Muslims in general. Can anyone give me some insight into this?
I realise its not REALLY war related, but I thought it would be more appropriate here than in the GD.

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No-Name Face

Originally posted by Lifetime: Here's a question that I've been pondering on for a while.. Why is it that people of the Islamic faith are so strongly devoted to their cause? They (at least the ones I know) lead very disciplined lives, are faithful to a fault, and live their lives to the very letter of their holy text. Some are even willing to kill or give their lives for the religion.. So my question is, what makes these people tick? Not just the Taliban, or terrorists, but Muslims in general. Can anyone give me some insight into this? I realise its not REALLY war related, but I thought it would be more appropriate here than in the GD.

I think it has to do with 'walking the walk not just talking the talk'. It is oh so easy to pay lip service to a belief system, whether it is Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Paganism, whatever. It is *much* more difficult to actually live by your convictions. Some shining examples succeed and bedazzle and bewilder the rest of us.

The Amish are another group I can think of. They have consistently remained true to their convictions of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' according to the Bible. Sure, like the rest of us, they slip up or have members who disagree and so leave the community, but essentially they remain true to their faith.


Garnet

[250]

Originally posted by Garnet: I think it has to do with 'walking the walk not just talking the talk'. It is oh so easy to pay lip service to a belief system, whether it is Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Paganism, whatever. It is *much* more difficult to actually live by your convictions. Some shining examples succeed and bedazzle and bewilder the rest of us. The Amish are another group I can think of. They have consistently remained true to their convictions of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' according to the Bible. Sure, like the rest of us, they slip up or have members who disagree and so leave the community, but essentially they remain true to their faith. Garnet

but how do they do that? especially Mulisms are such a a large population

[skywalker]

I think it is because they believe there is a better place than here on earth. That all that matters is the "life" that comes after they die. For the radical terrorist types, to die for their God will be their greatest achievement and reserves them a place in Heaven.

Mark

Originally posted by skywalker: I think it is because they believe there is a better place than here on earth. That all that matters is the "life" that comes after they die. For the radical terrorist types, to die for their God will be their greatest achievement and reserves them a place in Heaven. Mark

I'm not sure how much I agree that this is the reason. Big part of it, perhaps, though.

Look at it this way: the manner in which you conduct your everyday life is an advertisement for your beliefs--be it in God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever. You retain a clear idea of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' and strive to act accordingly. nOt only do you feel a personal satisfaction at having acted in a 'right' way, but your mind is assured that others perceive your actions as reflections of the Power and Glory of your god. Combine that concept with the belief that 'right' actions will assuredly result in a struggle-free after existance, and this is a very powerful incentive.

But, IMO, it is a combination of the satisfaction of having lived according to their beliefs as well as the promise of a cozy afterlife that entices.

Simplistically said, of course.

Garnet

[DragonMage]

I think it also has something to do with initial isolation of a population with one belief system. For example, the Amish have little to do with the 'outside' world. They are raised with no other beliefs than those of the Amish faith. The same holds true, I believe, for the Muslim faith. They don't really (in the Middle East anyway) mingle much with anyone who doesn't believe as they do. They are brought up that any other belief is wrong. As a result, they are less likely to be swayed by other views or beliefs.

It's harder, imo, for Christians, etc. to hold so very tightly to their beliefs because they are 'out and about', mingling with other faiths. That makes it easier to start questioning if what YOU believe is true when you meet so many others who believe other things.

This is just my opinion of a possible reason.


[This message has been edited by DragonMage (edited 10-18-2001).]

[250]

Originally posted by Garnet: I'm not sure how much I agree that this is the reason. Big part of it, perhaps, though. Look at it this way: the manner in which you conduct your everyday life is an advertisement for your beliefs--be it in God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever. You retain a clear idea of what is 'right' and what is 'wrong' and strive to act accordingly. nOt only do you feel a personal satisfaction at having acted in a 'right' way, but your mind is assured that others perceive your actions as reflections of the Power and Glory of your god. Combine that concept with the belief that 'right' actions will assuredly result in a struggle-free after existance, and this is a very powerful incentive. But, IMO, it is a combination of the satisfaction of having lived according to their beliefs as well as the promise of a cozy afterlife that entices. Simplistically said, of course. Garnet

no one asks what you think man...

hehe, sorry, the remark is a little harsh, but you got the idea
we are talking about what THEY, the muslims, think is right

[DragonMage]

Originally posted by 250: no one asks what you think man... hehe, sorry, the remark is a little harsh, but you got the idea we are talking about what THEY, the muslims, think is right

You are right in one thing only 250 - you WERE harsh.

I thought Garnet answered the question just FINE. You were rude.
Until someone of the Muslim faith answers this, there is nothing wrong with giving our opinions.

[250]

Originally posted by DragonMage: You are right in one thing only 250 - you WERE harsh. I thought Garnet answered the question just FINE. You were rude. Until someone of the Muslim faith answers this, there is nothing wrong with giving our opinions.

ok, sorrie

but heck, the post was about what the muslims think. so why bother giving our judgement before even fully undertsanding their grounds? I mean, it is like asking "Why do they chinese believe Buddhism, Taoism, Confusim?" then someone answers: "To have a relationship with God is the true way to peace and love."

Got what I mean?

[Silver Cheetah]

Originally posted by Lifetime: Here's a question that I've been pondering on for a while.. Why is it that people of the Islamic faith are so strongly devoted to their cause?

Well actually, loads of them aren't!! This is just so much crap, if you'll excuse me saying so, a misconception fostered, as per usual, by the media, which thrives on stereotypes, cos it means they have to do less work (less taxing on tiny brains..)

The muslims I know are mostly pretty moderate. Some of them even drink alcohol. A lot of them couldn't give a good stuff about the religious side, - it's more a cultural bond. Girls smoke cigarettes where their parents can't see them..... Of course, this is in Britain, not in the Middle East. However, in the Middle East also, there are many different ways of practising Islam, many of which are a lot more laid back than the popular conception believes.

There's also a lot of hypocricy. For example, wealthy arabs come over from Saudi and such like places, and have cocaine and drinking parties. I've been to some of them, so I can tell you this is gospel truth. These are men who in their own countries wouldn't even touch a alcopop.

However, what IS happening, right here, right now, is that lots of 'moderates' are becoming a lot LESS moderate as America continues bombing Afghanistan.

Temperatures are rising, and right wing groups are quick to use the bombing as an excuse to incite people to a more fervent practice of their faith, to 'see of the invading infidel - it could be their turn next... etc etc rant rant'.

If this continues, moderate leaders will be pushed out as hardliners garner more and more support from peoples who are becoming more and more extremist, swayed by right wing rhetoric which blames all troubles on the West. The bombing of Afghanistan plays right into such leaders' hands. Arafat is in serious trouble right now, for example. He's not hardline enough for many of this people, and he may lose control very soon. Similar problems in Pakistan, where the leadership are caught between the rock of their people's thought, and the hard place which rejection of America will land them in.



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Most Ecstatic and Exotic Mistress of the Illuminati