Thread: The powder keg that is Egypt

I saw this reported by Anderson Cooper on CNN tonight.... so sad to see in such a place so rich with human history.

Condemnation of Egypt protest response mounts - CNN.com

For what its worth, i feel bad for the people of Egypt. The rift between the more westernized youth and the Islamist old guard is just tearing the country apart. I know its not a black and white issue, and although i cant stand Obama and wish he would show more support for those opposed to Morsey, i cant blame him for not taking sides.

On a side note, in reference to the direction another thread took, this might help explain why Christians question "the religion of peace", and are angered when some intellectual elitist brings up the old testament and Gods orders to 'Kill, kill, kill" as if its still practiced en masse today.

Morsy supporters also reportedly attacked a number of Christian churches. It's not clear how many were targeted, but Dalia Ziada, of the Ibn Khadun Center for Development Studies, said Thursday that her group had documented the burning of 29 churches and Coptic facilities across the country.

Just curious when the last time Christians burned down 29 Mosques in protest was?

Also on the fence but don't believe the Brotherhood is the one's at fault, or totally anyways. There is probably some who are causing trouble (like in many large hot topic organizations) and I wouldn't be shocked to find out the military is going overboard on crackdowns. Hell, they raided a mosque (I think it was) being used to identify and pick-up bodies today (and took the bodies).

Originally Posted by deathgodusmc

The other day they had 500 killed in a protest by the military or security force. I forget which. Im on the fence on this so far because it appears muslim brotherhood is sparking the violence. Why we haven't added them to our list of terrorist groups yet i have no idea.

From what is being reported in foreign sources the Brotherhood was killing innocents and using women and children as shields once again. And the army went in and stomped the shit out of them. These strategies on the part of the brotherhood are right out if Yasir Arafat's playbook. Spark violence, hurt women and children and then claim your enemy did it for good PR.

I hate that the western media always ends up a willing accomplice to this crap. Some journalists will have integrity about it but many wont because the story is more compelling or something if its the deposed radical Muslims who are the victims.

We need to stop using the words terror and terrorist.

Originally Posted by triggerhappy2005

We need to stop using the words terror and terrorist.

They have their uses. You should be happy though, the US has really curbed its habit of using those words to describe something as commonplace as say, work place violence. They do slip up now and then like with those politically disgruntled hooligans in Boston.

I prefer crime and criminal.

Originally Posted by TrueKings3

I'm on the fence really.. On one hand a Muslim can not kill another Muslim.. On the other.. Would be nice to see a Caliphate back on the world map...

Now to debate on the comments.

The "religion of peace" is what it is said to be. A religion of peace. Even though churches have been burned, people being kidnapped and murdered, terrorism, and just disgusting things, it does not represent the "Muslim community" and don't look at Saudi Arabia.. That "country" came together because of a tribe called the "sauds" that attacked Muslim for greed from the British Empire. You have to remember most of the "Muslim countries" were conquered in the late 1700's and some of their teachings were altered compare to a Muslim in the USA or Great Britain. Here are some websites you can fiddle through rethink your post scott.

Man Who Set Fire to Ohio Mosque Claims He Got 'Riled Up' Watching Fox News

US probes marine's shooting of Fallujan - Archive - Al Jazeera English

US army adds charges in Afghan shooting case - Americas - Al Jazeera English

US soldier kills 16 Afghan civilians in deadly shooting rampage | Mail Online


Even though most of the sites were about innocent killings.. It does not take a history major to understand that Christians killed more people, within religious history, that any other religion for any issue. Weather it be converting, disputes, or just for the fun.

Dude, i am so glad you chimed in on this one. I'll start by saying that my feelings for the people are genuine, i really do feel bad for all involved. I also understand the acts of "Terror" and "Terrorism" are not representative of the Muslim community. "I" know this. But my point was, and is, that actions as described in the article only firm up peoples belief that Islam is far more sinister under its peaceful guise. The killings/violence you posted as horrible as they are, were not part of the same protest, they were not done in the name of God and they are spread out over years. They simply cannot be compared to what is happening today in Egypt. No one disputes Christian killings throughout history, they did some nasty shit in the name of God, but over the last couple hundred years i think you'll see the faith has adopted a stance 180 degrees in opposition to those mass killings.

Now im not going to get into a battle of "my religion is better than your religion" and start listing mass killings in a tit for tat argument, because that does no good for either side. And im not on a side, i subscribe to no religion and i am not a Christian. That doesn't mean i think im superior to those that are religious (ergo my intellectual elitist remark). So i ask, do you not see how the events unfolding in Egypt can lead most people to form a negative opinion of Islam, or worse, shore up already biased opinions?

The "people" bought into the Morsey campaign and he was elected, then he started forcibly pushing the country toward a Caliphate, one that the "people" did not want, so they recalled him in a way that would send a powerful message. I can see a similarity with Barack Obama in that he told the nation what they needed to hear then reneged on what he said he would do (think Gitmo, The patriot act and transparency in general). There are a shit ton of people on both sides of the isle that are not happy with him, but we didn't riot, we didn't burn down government buildings or churches by the dozens. Western culture is constantly being branded as violent and merciless (and Christian), yet we are chastised for openly criticizing violent and merciless acts committed in the middle east, or by those of middle eastern descent. The culture that allows Christian churches to be burned, suicide bombs and AK toting children is the 800lb gorilla that the Muslim community has to deal with.

In closing, i personally want to believe that Islam is truly a religion of peace. The Muslims that i know personally are great people, some of the most generous and giving people i know. They are IMO great Americans too in the truest sense. But recent history is showing the extremist minority growing, and ignoring them of brushing them off as the fringe is as good as condoning extremist actions.