How cults can produce killers

The Irish Times ^ | Jul 16 2005 | Dennis Tourish

[Man50D]

My error. I incorrectly pasted into the post. The site exists.

Islamic Scholar Warns U.S. of Two Faced Muslims

[tsomer]

Suppose the son had just blown up a loaded school bus?

The rock would be the moral reply.

[JasonC]

I was addressing the claim that knowledge of morality begins with religion, made by a prior poster, and that we have no knowledge of morality prior to or independent of religion.

This is a frequent claim these days put forth by sincerely religious people who think religion is the only port in a storm of relativism. They tend not to notice how recent an idea it is, however.

There is no trace of it in the great religions at their founding, whether in scripture, the fathers or traditional commentators, etc. All of which assume that moral truth is directly visible, and indeed argue theological points on that basis.

In other words, the claim that the only basis of morality is religion is denied by religion itself.

[tsomer]

So then where does morality begin?

Is it "enlightened self interest?"

Is geneticaly encoded?


How did we acquire this universal and objective standard of right and wrong?

[JasonC]

We transpose the nominative and the accusative. Which is a high falutin' way of saying we stand in the other guy's shoes. The golden rule is universal morality - do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Religion acknowledges and supports it. Its truth predates any particular religious teaching. It isn't an accident, however, that those who taught it are revered.

[tsomer]

Which is a high falutin' way of saying we stand in the other guy's shoes.

I see. Empathy, as in "I feel your pain."

[AdmSmith]

I will post articles in this thread about cults especially Islamic cults.

A good article about recruiting procedures and possible countermeasures:

As a cult expert, Hassan suggests offering radicalized youth the same treatment he offers his clients. He says the universal way to free someone from a cult's clutch is to dissipate their phobias that by leaving, they are betraying God or Allah. “A lot of people get into these groups following a dream or following an ideal. If people can see that the dream is not going to be a part of this group movement, that would help somebody reevaluate,” Hassan says.

Weddady, meanwhile, says that while the support of the West is necessary, “to a larger extent, this is a Muslim problem that only Muslims can solve.” He says his moral compass ultimately led him down a path very different from some young Muslims in the world today.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/08/11/path-to-terror-alienation-isolation/

[AdmSmith]

Child Abuse: The New Islamic Cult of Martyrdom

In another study by Stern, principals of Madrassas were interviewed. At one school, the Jamia Manzoor ul Islamyia – with an enrolment of about 550 students – the principal was asked if he had a favourite book. His response was the “Koran.” When asked about a popular Sufi singer – Nusrat Fatah Ali Khan – his response was “I don’t need music. Music is for those who have an addiction within them.” Questioned about Albert Einstein, the principal remarked “that he saw no need for science.” Stern met two children who wanted to become doctors. Embarrassed, the principal remarked “by the time I've worked on them for a year, they will want to be Mujahideen too.”

After being indoctrinated at a Madrassa, many students go on to further their fundamentalist education at militant training camps. A typical day at these camps begins at 4:00 am, with prayers and a small breakfast consisting of bread and tea. This is followed by a full day of rigorous drills teaching the manufacturing of bombs, and the use of sniper rifles, rocket launchers, and communications equipment. This daily process is interrupted for only a single meal – consisting of rice – and daily prayers. Sports, music, and literature are forbidden, and only pre-screened newspapers are allowed to be read. The final exam for this programme consists of a three-day hike through rugged mountainous terrain with no food or sleep. The best of these graduates are selected for ‘martyrdom’.

The implications of this systematic indoctrination are vast and dangerous. As stated by one Mujahid, “A person addicted to heroin can get off it if he really tries, but a Mujahid cannot leave the jihad. I am spiritually addicted to the jihad.” Another Mujahid stated that “we won’t stop – even if India gave us Kashmir… we’ll also bring jihad here. There is already a movement here to make Pakistan a pure Islamic state. Many preach Islam, but most of them don’t know what it means. We want to see a Taliban-style regime here.”

http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/faultlines/volume16/Article3.htm

[AdmSmith]

Cults and Terrorism, Part 1 – The Problem of Definition

The is the first article of a six-part series on Cults and Terrorism. Throughout the week, the remaining articles will be published; Cults and Terrorism – Lessons of History will follow.

http://brainblogger.com/2010/05/23/cults-and-terrorism-part-1-the-problem-of-definition/

[tsomer]

Since belief in morality and the existence of real moral claims binding on all men is not something they philosophically accept, they look for anything else. And hurl their denunciations at anyone who seems certain of themselves

I scroll through this site several times a day because occasionally, buried under a lot of chaff, I find pearls of insight.

I've found one today.

Thank you.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks AdmSmith.

[grey_whiskers]

I say to you again, well played indeed, sir!

Consider yourself highly commended.

Cheers!