[SuziQ]

Both John's father, Frank Lindh, a strict Irish Catholic, and his mother, Marilyn Walker, a Buddhist, were supportive of their son's new faith.

I have a hard time believing his father was a STRICT Irish Catholic; if so he wouldn't have whole heartedly supported his move over to Islam. His parents are divorced, and I think the young man was just looking for something, anything to fill the void. I said on a different thread the other day that Islam for this him was like a cult. The mosque was a welcoming place for him; something that must have been lacking in his life. As the saying goes; when you don't believe in SOMETHING you'll fall for anything. His parents had obviously not instilled any strong faith beliefs in him with ANY religion, so Islam filled that longing which is in everyone; as one of the saints (Benedict or Ignatius of Loyola ? )said, "Our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee"

[RedBloodedAmerican]

His dad was quoted as saying he wants to go see his son in Afghanistan and give him a big hug and kick him in the rear for not telling him he was going to Afghanistan, or he would not have given him his permission.

Huh? He wired him money while over there. Hug? Give him a kick on his fanny? The parents are as foolish as the son. Firing squad.

Did not the parents aid and abet the son to commit these acts? They parents are terrorists.

[Elihu Burritt]

I have a hard time believing his father was a STRICT Irish Catholic;

That married a Buddhist and let his kid be raised into Buddhism? Hardly. Next time, think a moment before you write.

[independentmind]

I have a hard time believing his father was a STRICT Irish Catholic; if so he wouldn't have whole heartedly supported his move over to Islam. His parents are divorced, and I think the young man was just looking for something, anything to fill the void. I said on a different thread the other day that Islam for this him was like a cult.

I see many others here have picked up on the "strict Irish Catholic" characterization. I am probably one of the few posters here who actually feels sorry for the kid; it's his parents that deserve the outrage.