Not quite. Bin Laden demanded submission because he really believed we are commanded to by his faith, and his role was divine enforcer, also as mandated by his faith. It is the “moderates” who exploit Western norms to advance their faith, without the comparable scrutiny Scientology faced for instance. Few still think Islamic exceptionalism is a myth, few are assuaged by the notion the West’s concerns would be mitigated by more Islam, and fewer still would admit to observing this. Getting people to say things they know to be untrue, through systematic fear and intimidation, will result in a sudden and shocking move to equilibrium, or in their view, something akin to a declaration of war.
Former IRA volunteer and ex-prisoner, spent 18 years in Long Kesh, 4 years on the blanket and no-wash/no work protests which led to the hunger strikes of the 80s. Completed PhD at Queens upon release from prison. Left the Republican Movement at the endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement, and went on to become a journalist. Co-founder of The Blanket, an online magazine that critically analyzed the Irish peace process. Lead researcher for the Belfast Project, an oral history of the Troubles.
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Not quite.
ReplyDeleteBin Laden demanded submission because he really believed we are commanded to by his faith, and his role was divine enforcer, also as mandated by his faith. It is the “moderates” who exploit Western norms to advance their faith, without the comparable scrutiny Scientology faced for instance.
Few still think Islamic exceptionalism is a myth, few are assuaged by the notion the West’s concerns would be mitigated by more Islam, and fewer still would admit to observing this. Getting people to say things they know to be untrue, through systematic fear and intimidation, will result in a sudden and shocking move to equilibrium, or in their view, something akin to a declaration of war.