islam, the religion of love...

Originally Posted by Janus X

then religion is the primary motive. LEt's just hope that muslims don't do the same. After all, they could reclaim spain...

Actually, the primary reason for the crusades was the consolidation and expansion of papal authority over the Christian states of Europe. The history of the Roman Catholic Church leading up to Pope Urban II's proclamation at the Council of of Clement is one of massive power struggles, both within the church and between the church and other powers. Suggesting Urban II's reasons for begining the Crusades were anything other than those above is just silly.

Just thought I'd, you know, clear that up. Go on back to fighting a losing battle now.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Pangalin

Desperate people do desperate things. This is basic! Do people rob banks because of their religion? Do they hold people for ransom based upon a philosophical dogma? Mostly no. They do it because they feel that their situation is unbearable and will continue to be unbearable unless they get some fucking money.

Suicide bombings occur largely because they are the most effective tool that disenfranchised, desperate people have to work with.

Could you go into a little more detail here? I honestly don't understand the comparison between robbing banks and suicide bombings. I can see their both done out of some severe desperation, but other than that I'm afraid I'm lost.

Robbing banks and holding rich motherfuckers for ransom leaves some hope for personal advancement, wheras suicide bombings do not. While I agree that it's silly to blame solely Islam on the readiness of those who strap explosives to their chest I'm afraid I can't follow how you're drawing such a hard line (or so it seems) between Bonnie & Clyde and Sajida Rishawi.

It's obvious there's something in the middle-east aside from personal depseration driving people to do these things, and while it's not necessarily religion I think you're trying to oversimplify the situation.

There's nowhere I can't reach.