Can joined religious leaders bring a solution?

[pelastration]

I just asked myself if a serious message of a Conference of Religious World Leaders could make a difference. I know some years ago we had something similar, but the message was not that powerful. A retry?

I see now a self-powering circle of violence. The beheading was predictable. This is a new individual drama on one of the sides, but there are many of drama's.

On the two sides you have extremes, both choose the violent way, each with a proper agenda and strategy.

The newcons in the US and the Islamic extremists on the other side.

This is not the 'clash of civilizations' but the 'clash of extremists'.

In a newcon document of 2000 http://www.newamericancentury.org/RebuildingAmericasDefenses.pdf you can read that the unresolved conflict with Iraq provides the "immediate justification", (but that) the need for a substantial American force presence in the Gulf "transcends the issue of the regime of Saddam Hussein". 9/11 was the trigger, not the reason. And the revenges God of the newborn Christians was also involved.

The other side - easily called Al-Qaeda - have primary religious reasons which transcends civil issues and values. The goal is a religious society were individual rights are less important. For them it is important to have powerful show-cases like 9/11 and Berg's execution.

Where are the moderated voices of both sides or better ... of the joined religious world leaders?

Would such a Conference make a difference in your opinion?

 

[Adam]

First, what right does any religious leader have to present any form of guidance for anyone?

 

[pelastration]

First, what right does any religious leader have to present any form of guidance for anyone?

Top religious leaders happen to have an influence on "their" people. And they have a sort of morale authority.

 

[member 5645]

First, what right does any religious leader have to present any form of guidance for anyone?

Do you have a point?

 

[Adam]

I'll make it simpler: Apart from the "We're all sheep" response, why look to those people for any sort of guidance?

 

[member 5645]

I'll make it simpler: Apart from the "We're all sheep" response, why look to those people for any sort of guidance?

Because, despite your constant reminder of how you are against religion, these leaders hold a viable power of morals within certain groups.
The shiite leader (damn, I can't remember his name) in Iraq is the main reason we are able to operate so smoothly in much of the country. He could wave his hand and we'd have falluja x100 if he wanted. Religious leaders have also negotiated the release of many hostages.

 

[Adam]

I am aware that religious leaders have power over their followers. The questions was: Should they?

 

[pelastration]

Because, despite your constant reminder of how you are against religion, these leaders hold a viable power of morals within certain groups.
The shiite leader (damn, I can't remember his name) in Iraq is the main reason we are able to operate so smoothly in much of the country. He could wave his hand and we'd have falluja x100 if he wanted. Religious leaders have also negotiated the release of many hostages.

Indeed. You see also how the moderate clerics in Najaf pressing al-Sadr out.

That shiite leader: Ali Sistani
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3033306.stm

His site:http://www.sistani.org/html/eng/main/index.php?page=1&part=1.

 

[pelastration]

I am aware that religious leaders have power over their followers. The questions was: Should they?

Wrong question, maybe good question in another thread.
They have.
Real question: So can we do something with that to solve some serious actual problems?

 

[member 5645]

Real question: So can we do something with that to solve some serious actual problems?

Absolutely! We should already be in meetings with these moderate clerics finding out "What is it that we can do for you?"

 

[studentx]

but the foreign fighters' religious leader is Osama.
I think the moderate ones could shift popular opinion in favor of the Americans. But do they want to, and how clearly can you think with all the bombs going off

 

[Adam]

I'm aware of no religious leader named Osama.

 

[member 5645]

I'm aware of no religious leader named Osama.

Usama, if you will then.

 

[Adam]

I'm not aware of a religious leader named Usama either.

 

[ray b]

BTW what is the real difference in farrightwing religious nuts be they taliban, ortho jew, or bible thumping christian, in the overall threat to freedom and progress of civilrights
all hate gays
all want to censor, movies, books, music ect
all have sex hangups
all want to control goverments to shape laws to suit their religions ideas
all are anti-womans rights
all are anti-abortion
all think anyone not in their CULT is evil

the threat to freedom from religion is the root problem, not just one religion all are evil
so the last thing we want is for them all to get together and work on their common goal