The Kamikaze weren't acting out of religious beliefs. Their motivations could best be described as patriotic. I imagine, just like the hijackers, their religious beliefs made it much easier for them to act, but that doesn't equate to their reason to act; only their willingness.
From Wikipedia:
In 1944–45, the Japanese were heavily influenced by Shinto beliefs. Among other things, Emperor worship was stressed after Shinto was established as a state religion during the Meiji Restoration. As time went on, Shinto was used increasingly in the promotion of nationalist sentiment. In 1890, the Imperial Rescript on Education was passed, under which students were required to ritually recite its oath to offer themselves "courageously to the State" as well as protect the Imperial family. The ultimate offering was to give up one’s life. It was an honor to die for Japan and the Emperor. Axell and Kase pointed out: "The fact is that innumerable soldiers, sailors and pilots were determined to die, to become eirei, that is ‘guardian spirits’ of the country. [...] Many Japanese felt that to be enshrined at Yasukuni was a special honour because the Emperor twice a year visited the shrine to pay homage. Yasukuni is the only shrine, deifying common men, which the Emperor would visit to pay his respects".[26] Young Japanese people were indoctrinated from an earliest age with these ideals.
I would say that the 9-11 hijackers were "more" religious - or, more passionate - about their cause, but to say that the Japanese didn't fly suicide missions for any religious reason is not accurate.
The only reason that one could indict Islam for the attacks is if it specifically compelled them to act. They had a variety of reasons, and while probably the defense of Islam was one of them, that doesn't make the religion itself dangerous. Any religion can make people do damn-fool things.
I didn't "indict Islam" or say that Islam is dangerous. What I said is that the hijackers used Islam as the reasoning for what they did.
Very similar to what I just explained, Rudolph denies that Christianity compelled him to act. The thing is, much like the hijackers, he was convinced that the Big Guy would take care of him because he was doing God's work, protecting the precious little lambs from being slaughtered.
Well, I never heard about anyone complaining about Christian churches being built in the areas that be bombed. Did you?
You're making my point.
Emperor worship. Nationalist sentiment. Oaths to offer themselves "courageously to the state, as well as to protect the imperial family." Honor to die for Japan and the Emperor. "Guardian spirits of the country." Enshrined where the Emperor would pay them a visit.
None of these reasons are directly related to Shintoism. Shintoism was merely a bonus and a convenient means of getting the people riled up. If some people use religion, be it Christianity, Islam, or Pastafarianism to convince the simpleminded to do something naughty, it's not the religion that's to blame. Eric Rudolph blew shit up, and while he wasn't acting on the behalf of God or scripture, he does view himself as blessed. None of these are different than the Muslims currently deflowering their virgins.
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I didn't "indict Islam" or say that Islam is dangerous. What I said is that the hijackers used Islam as the reasoning for what they did.
Saying that the community center/mosque shouldn't be built because it is a symbol of Islam and [allegedly] the reason behind the attack
is an indictment of Islam. And again, there's a huge difference between a reason and a justification.
Well, I never heard about anyone complaining about Christian churches being built in the areas that be bombed. Did you?
That's my whole point. Nobody cares about the Christian maniac because he's a maniac and not a christian. People get high and mighty about Muslim maniacs because they're Muslims; not maniacs.
Topic: Islamic community center to go up near New York's ground zero (Read 30031 times)