“In other words, this assumes that their motives are purely political and not apocalyptically religious.
Their own words tell us that this isn’t so.”
Their words say it is exactly so:
“Why are we fighting and opposing you? The answer is very simple:
(1) Because you attacked us and continue to attack us.”
From the Late Sheik, himself.
RE: (1) Because you attacked us and continue to attack us.”
From the Late Sheik, himself.
_____________________________
The late Sheik (and by this, I assume you’re talking about Bin Ladin ) also told his followers that the existence of the west is a cultural cancer that must be excise from the world. He wanted the Muslim world to “awake” to this insidious threat.
In other words our mere existence, with our value on human rights and the liberation of women poses an evil example to the Islamic world.
How do I know this? I was in the Philippines when the leader of their version of Al Qaeda — the Moro Front, made the exact argument to his followers in the island Mindanao.
The so-called “because you continue to attack us.” is but a pretext.
I Believe what he tells his followers. What he tells the world is but a political taqiya.
Therefore, it is not true that if you leave Al Qaeda alone, Al Qaeda will leave you alone.
Militant Islam seeks DOMINATION the same way their founder envisioned it.
First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.