Christian Fundamentalists, Islamists, and The Designation of Most Evil
There is no explanation for evil. It must be looked upon as a necessary part of the order of the universe. To ignore it is childish, to bewail it senseless.
-W. Somerset Maugham
An Iraqi woman has confessed to having 80 young women raped in order to get them to submit to becoming suicide bombers which led to countless deaths and carnage. Yet, to some, these schemes are less “evil” than Christian fundamentalists, considered by some, as the “most evil”.
According to News.com.au, Samira Jassam, 51, has confessed to an incredibly evil scheme, having 80 young women raped in order to “shame” them into becoming suicide bombers. Jassam was able to “convince” the women that martyrdom was their only “escape”. Jassam is alleged to have planned and carried out “dozens” of successful attacks, attacks which have left scores of innocent Iraqis, including children, dead or mutilated.
This seems to fly in the face of those who claim Islam is a “religion of peace” and not a cult, a cult whose members are coerced into such incredibly evil and horrific schemes. Yet there seems to be those who believe that Christian fundamentalists are the “most evil” of all:
“January 17, 2007
by Doug Soderstrom, Ph.D.
I have come to the conclusion that the Christian fundamentalists, also known as the religious right, are the most evil people in the world. Others (such as those of various Islamic terrorist groups) were considered, but after due consideration, the Christians won… hands down. In fact it was no contest.
However, in order to support my assertion that those of the religious right are such a nasty crew, it is necessary that I clarify what I believe it means to be evil. The minimal test of evil is, of course, one of awareness, an intent, an abject willingness to be malicious, a willingness to go out of one’s way to harm others, a lack of concern for the welfare of another person, an unwillingness to place one’s self into that of another’s shoes, a grudging reluctance to acknowledge the pain one may have caused another. Such is bad, but not as bad as having slipped to the point of having become psychically blind, effectively unable to face up to what one has done. Such is more depraved since it represents a loss of integrity, an existential unwillingness to take responsibility for one’s behavior. And, of course, worst of all are those who go to the extreme of regarding themselves to be shining examples, paragons of how to live a good and decent life, while having chosen to disregard the fact that they have lived life in such a despicable manner. And as we will see, the Christian fundamentalists seem to exemplify such folks at the apogee of evil, the nadir of civilized life, in that they preach to the world while yet living the life of a barbarian!”
Doug, a fellow with a Ph.D., believes that Christian fundamentalists “win hands down” the “evil test” Doug has devised. Here are just some of the “sins” Doug has found that have catapulted fundamentalists to the top of his “most evil” list:
~ Using the Bible to justify their support for capital punishment
~ Used the Bible to justify America’s “right” to go to war
~ Used the Bible to justify slavery
~ Used the Bible to justify their ongoing subjection of women
~ Used the Bible to condemn homosexuality
~ Use the Bible to justify the use of corporal punishment
Capital punishment is a touchy subject, there are many who object to capital punishment as government sanctioned “killing”, while there are others who view capital punishment as fitting the crime. Either way, capital punishment is doled out in the courts by juries and judges, not from the pews of fundamentalist churches.
Doug argues that the Bible justifies slavery, yet I’m unaware of any current legislation being implemented by Christian fundamentalists to bring back slavery. I’m also concerned that Doug seems to ignore historical factors regarding the slave trade and slavery which was abolished over a hundred and forty-four years ago plus the fact that slave trading is flourishing in countries where Islam is the main “religion”.
Doug also ignores the plight of women and girls who live in countries such as Saudi Arabia where women are not allowed to drive, have driver’s licenses, nor travel alone or in the company of men not related to them. Women have been beaten or spent time in prison for such “transgressions”. Women have been put to death for having affairs yet Doug doesn’t find this to rise to the level of the Christian fundamentalist’s evil “reign” here in the United States. I would say to Doug, as a woman who is an American, I find the plight of women across the globe to be equally important as my own here in America, especially women, as the recent case in Iraq, who were raped in order to force them into becoming suicide bombers.
As for homosexuality, in some Islamic countries such as Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, members of the gay community can and are thrown into prison, far more egregious than the current fight over gays getting the right to marry. Yet to Doug, fundamentalists’ actions rise to the level of “most evil” and not the systematic use of suicide bombers, beheading, and other methods of “terror” employed by Islamists in the name of their religion.
I could be absolutely cruel here in regards to Doug. Doug’s refusal to even acknowledge the ongoing worldwide activities of Islamist fundamentalists, such beheadings, rapes, beatings, burning of Christian churches, bombings, ect., reveals a man who is essentially a coward.
Doug has chosen to draw his figurative sword against an “evil” which is milquetoast and not apt to issue a fatwa on his head. It’s far easier and much safer for Doug and his ilk, to call fundamentalists the “most evil” because they’re less apt to retaliate. In fact, Doug can safely call fundamentalists anything he so chooses because he knows there will be absolutely no repercussions other than spirited discussion. He won’t have to go into hiding nor retract any statements. In the meantime, Doug ignores the very real evil that exists, where young girls and women are raped then forced into performing as suicide bombers. This is, at least to me, far more “evil” as it involves using religion in order to coerce innocents into horrific consequences of carnage and terrorism in order to obtain a goal.
Not only are Islamists currently waging a war of terrorism against the “imperialist” United States but they are also waging terrorist “war” across the globe against Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and Animists. Their goal, eventual “domination” of the world. This is real, tangible “evil” which affects the lives of millions.
The irony is thick, if Doug were a resident of Saudi Arabia or Iran, and called Islam the “most evil”, he’d be picked up by the religion police and most likely beaten and sentenced to a stint in prison. So Doug, and those like Doug, who call Christian fundamentalists “more evil” than Islamists, are very aware that their “fighting” words will never come back to bite them in the butt or result in losing their freedom or heads. A very courageous lot, these “evil fighters”, at least to themselves and in their own minds. If they ever had to live “outside” their heads, they may come to a different conclusion, that a far greater “evil” exists, an evil where people are forced into lives of martyrdom and horror in the name of their religion, the so-called “religion of peace”.
By LBG
Image – Evil
This is indeed evil, raping and then brainwashing women using their religion to convince them to become suicide bombers.
Here is where I disagree with some of the post. Just because someone claims there are a Christian or a Muslim, a Jew or whatever religion you want to choose, does not mean that they adhere to the principles or teachings of said religion.
People will use religion to rob you of your money, your property and your life.
Anyone who claims to be a Christian, which I assume would mean they follow the teachings of Christ and not the Old Testament Law Givers, and takes a life under any circumstance has failed to adhere to some of the basic tenants of His teachings.
So to say just because someone claims to be something or follow something does not mean that they actually do or understand what they claim to adhere too is rather simple.
To use the actions of one person to indict others who have nothing to do with those person or agree with their actions is fear mongering and religous bigotry.
Was Jim Jones who forced hundreds at gun point to drink poison koolaid representative of every “Christian” pastor?
Jesus said to be mindful of how you judge others because you will be judged by the same standard you used for others.
Peace & Blessings
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LBG1 Reply:
February 7th, 2009 at 14:30
Thanks for your insightful post, Scotty, you raised a valid point about the correlation between actual adherents to a religion and those who use a religion in order to bring harm to others.
There are numerous incidents across the globe where adherents of Islam are engaged in numerous acts of extreme violence against other religions and against their own followers. This is more than “six degrees of separation”. There are people are have been forced into hiding for daring to criticize Islam while governments have sentenced people to prison sentences for attempting to expose the radical side of Islam.
Moral equivalency doesn’t mean much to the people who are suffering now from these atrocities.
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janine Reply:
February 8th, 2009 at 11:59
All formal and dogmatic religions are detrimental to those who misinterpret or are too intimidated to question them- and most are misinterpreted.
I asked a Muslim friend of mine how he can allow himself to be so directed by his religion- he is very intelligent and a good soul all around..(Though I “hear” his predjudices loud and clear and know and understand these to be much less “religious” than cultural).. And I might ask the same question of a Catholic or a Pentacostal Christian or a Jew..”How can you allow yourself….?”
We do know that few Christians, follow the path of Jesus just as few Muslims follow Mohammed; they are diverted by the “persuaders” ,the fringe radicals, in every case, those who would convince them that their “Word is God/Allah” and their faith is the one true religion. Like Catholics throughout history, they delight in belonging to an annointed crowd with a one way ticket to paradise. Lately, by the way, one of the most deceitful people I have come across is a self-proclaimed Buddhist of all things. So, c’mon, these are meaningless titles, “Christian Muslim Buddhist,” meaningless.
Unfortunately, religions of every stripe are inherited.. Now does that make any sense at all? “Belief”, the meaning of the word “religion”, simply cannot be inherited.. Woe is us as every day more are born to these so called soul-saving travesties whatever they might be. I am convinced these are the root of all evil.
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