US Army Muslim Shoots Up Fort Hood: 13 Killed, 30 Wounded
I made a video in which I talked about my opinion concerning the threat of Islamic militants to New Zealand. I mentioned in this video that sometimes disturbed individuals convert to a fanatical literalist interpretation of Islam (although this person was from a Muslim family, not that it makes a difference). Apparently the shooter, who made online postings supporting suicide bombers, was also personally disturbed.
The situation in New Zealand is not the same as in America, however. The Bush administration did a lot of harm in initially invading Iraq (amongst many other things) and there doesn’t seem to be the same amount of prejudice in New Zealand toward Muslims as there seems to be in America. I also made a video (2nd one) about my impression of how Muslims’ felt in New Zealand society and mentioned some of my opinions about how the threat of Islamic militancy should be handled.
Bellow’s commentary on the shooting from the Young Turks that I appreciate. I like the calm way Cenk deals with the issue and think he does a good job putting it in perspective (ignoring his appeals to nationalism).
There were a bunch of events indicating this guy was potentially a supporter of militant Islam, all of which I think should have lead to pro active intervention (not necessarily disciplinary). Here’s an example from the relevant Wikipedia page, where you can also read more of the same:
Hasan had come to the attention of federal authorities at least six months before the attacks because of internet postings he appeared to have made discussing suicide bombings and other threats, though authorities at the time had not definitively attributed the postings. The postings, made in the name “NidalHasan,” likened a suicide bomber to a soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save his colleagues and sacrificing his life for a “more noble cause.” No official investigation was opened.
I think it is wrong, in general, to ignore serious issues that our species faces. Such issues, as literalist Islam poses, have consequences for peoples in New Zealand and abroad. Such issues have consequences too for those who profess such views.
In my opinion: Reacting to events such as this shooting is not enough. It would be well to take pro active measures in order to reduce the threat of such events taking place.
The decisions we make as groups and as individuals are important. However, many people are ignorant of basic facts of life and of the world around them. Such as the fact that we evolved, and that energy is conserved within a system. Many people are also ignorant of the methods by which such facts have been established. Such knowledge and methods could aid people in the important decisions they face politically and in day to day life.
In New Zealand, for example, many people seem to have huge difficulty distinguishing between medical practice and mystical healing. There is a plethora of religions, other dogmas, mystics (including academic mystics), and psychics etc. Stick some scientific jargon in an advertisement or news article and many people will leap to very doubtful conclusions concerning a product or issue.
It can only be hoped that our societies will become better educated. That citizens will be empowered with the knowledge and critical thinking skills necessary to make progressive decisions that are more likely to aid our specie’s welfare; including our nations’ welfare and that of the individual’s in them.
Islam is not the only dangerous dogma. An ideology does not have to provoke violence to be damaging to our specie’s prospects.
Note: I don’t think that education is the only answer needed to Islamic militancy.
