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Great post I saw on another board:
Someone read this and explain to me, exactly, what the difference between the Taliban and the fundamentalist Christian (i.e., the American Taliban) in this country is. This is a comparison of the position of Al Qaida/Taliban, the American Taliban, and the Progressives (Liberal) in this country. I am seriously wondering what Christians feel the specific differences between them and the Taliban might be.
Basic belief structure of the fundamentalist Talibani and Christian
Total rejection of rationality; therefore, the fundamentalists try to popularize their beliefs after mobilizing the emotions of people.
Not believing in human reason, they rely on the divine power to lead humanity on the right path.
They are not ready to have any compromise about their beliefs.
As they regard themselves true, rightly guided followers of religion, they treat all others as their enemy.
Once they monopolize the truthfulness and declare all others as sinners they loose all respect for the democratic institutions, human rights, and human values and fanatically make attempts to thrust their religious views on others even by force if necessary.
Let's look at a comparison of some issues that demonstrate the similarities:
Religion in government Al Qaida/Taliban: One and the same American Taliban: One and the same Progressives: Separation of church and state
Religious freedom: Al Qaida/Taliban: 'Think like us, or we'll whip you and/or chop off your head' American Taliban: 'Think like us, or we'll condemn you to hell' Progressives: To each his/her own
Foreign Policy: Al Qaida/Taliban: World domination - do it our way or we attack American Taliban: World domination - do it our way or we attack Progressives: Peace and international cooperation
Executing Minors: Al Qaida/Taliban: Executing Minors OK American Taliban: Executing Minors OK Progressives: Find this to be a barbaric and embarrassing practice
Pop Culture: Al Qaida/Taliban: Hate it... kill it American Taliban: Hate it... ban it Progressives: Laugh at it... boycott it
Self-image: Al Qaida/Taliban: Belief in their own infallibility American Taliban: Belief in their own infallibility Progressives: Willingness to consider other viewpoints
God: Al Qaida/Taliban: God is on our side and will help us kill our enemies American Taliban: God is on our side and will help us kill our enemies Progressives: God may or may not exist and will not help us kill anyone
Stem Cell Research: Al Qaida/Taliban: No Stem cell research American Taliban: No Stem cell research Progressives: Stem cell research
Leaders: Al Qaida/Taliban: God choose Osama Bin Laden to defeat the Great Satan American Taliban: God choose George W. Bush to lead us Progressives: God didn't choose anyone
Use of Force: Al Qaida/Taliban: As a means of propagating a world view American Taliban: As a means of propagating a world view Progressives: As a last resort
Bush's War in Iraq: Al Qaida/Taliban: Love it! American Taliban: Love it! Progressives: It's a disaster
Press: Al Qaida/Taliban: Control of the Press American Taliban: Manipulation of the Press Progressives: Freedom of the Press
Free Speech: Al Qaida/Taliban: Anyone who disagrees with us is an infidel and must be silenced American Taliban: Anyone who disagrees with us is a traitor and must be silenced Progressives: Anyone who disagrees with us is in for a spirited discussion
Individuals: Al Qaida/Taliban: Conform or else American Taliban: Conform or else Progressives: Embrace diversity
Cooperation: Al Qaida/Taliban: You're either with us or against us American Taliban: You're either with us or against us Progressives: We're all in this together
Tolerance: Al Qaida/Taliban: Death to the infidels American Taliban: Kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity Progressives: Live and let live
Conscience: Al Qaida/Taliban: Obedience to authority American Taliban: Obedience to authority Progressives: Critical reflection
Origins: Al Qaida/Taliban: Universe and man created 6,000 years ago by God American Taliban: Universe and man created 6,000 years ago by God Progressives: The Universe began as we know it at least 14 billion years ago, maybe more
Leaders: Al Qaida/Taliban: Subservient to will of its leaders American Taliban: Subservient to will of its leaders Progressives: Will served by Representative government
Fear: Al Qaida/Taliban: Life is scary and uncertain, seek refuge in moral absolutes and scorn those that threaten those absolutes American Taliban: Life is scary and uncertain, seek refuge in moral absolutes and scorn those that threaten those absolutes Progressives: Life is scary and uncertain, seek refuge in accepting that respect for our fellow man and the individual choices he/she makes is eminently moral
Women: Al Qaida/Taliban: A woman's place is in the home American Taliban: A woman's place is in the home Progressives: A woman's place is wherever she wants it to be
Women, Part II: Al Qaida/Taliban: No school, must cover entire body, no rights American Taliban: Government control over reproductive freedoms, hostility to Title IX, hostility to working women Progressives: Equality of the sexes
Marriage: Al Qaida/Taliban: Marriage is only between a man and a woman American Taliban: Marriage is only between a man and a woman Progressives: Marriage is between any two people who love each other
Homosexuals Al Qaida/Taliban: God hates them and they deserve to die American Taliban: God hates them and they deserve to die or at least be confined to 2nd class status Progressives: Human beings just like everyone else
Schools: Al Qaida/Taliban: Religious indoctrination. Run by clergy. American Taliban: School prayer. Religious indoctrination (creationism and "intelligent design"). Private religious school system. Progressives: Leave religious teachings to parents and sunday school.
Torture : Al Qaida/Taliban: Torture them or chop off their heads American Taliban: Torture them or homosexually rape them. Progressives: No torture
Medicine and Science: Al Qaida/Taliban: Faith-based world view American Taliban: Faith-based world view Progressives: Reality-based community
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