Saving the 'American Taliban' [[I cannot believe this stuff]]

page A19 of the Boston Globe ^ | 12/19/2001 | Steven Hassan: director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center

[rface]

WHAT COULD have driven an educated young American from a loving and prosperous family to embrace the Taliban cause?

His parents have said that he was brainwashed. I have not met John Walker Lindh, who was recently captured in Afghanistan, but I believe his parents are probably right. In fact, I had a similar experience as a student at Queens College in New York City when I was 19 - Lindh's age. I never participated in actual combat, but I was engaged in a holy war on the streets of New York.

[mvpel]

So now they're claiming that radical Islam is a "cult?" Gee, that's tolerant of them.

[gcraig]

"WHAT COULD have driven an educated young American from a loving and prosperous family to embrace the Taliban cause?"

Who the hell cares? Why should any of my tax dollars go toward analyzing why this moron hates me? Why should I feel any sympathy toward him after he fired an automatic weapon against my fellow uniformed servicemen? What is it with liberals who think they should justify this? This process will be simple. He will be found guilty and executed, and rightfully so.

[boycott]

Just another one of the liberal excuse makers.

[Chick-with-a-brain]

I think Steven Hassan was on Fox News the other night. I can't remember if he was on O'Reilly or Hannity and that other guy. (Actually Colmes has been acting very much like a conservative during this whole 911 thing and I've enjoyed watching them both work together in support of our country these last few months.)

I was busy baking Christmas cookies and didn't hear the whole interview. But, it did sound like he has had a lot of success helping families regain their children from the clutches of various cults.

[oyez]

It called responsibility. Has everyone forgot? Or is in not being tought any more. Everyone is responsible for their actions. Joining a cult, a Talibun or the Democratic Party is an action. If the deal goes south, the individual is still accountable. I guess the guy that was bombing the abortion clinics managed to get brain washed somehow, so they need to give him a free pass as well. Put that in your pipe and smoke it Mr Hassan or have you been smoking too much contraban in it?

[Anamensis]

So now they're claiming that radical Islam is a "cult?" Gee, that's tolerant of them.

Whoa, good call! I hadn't even picked up on that!

[fm1]

I am glad this was published. It substantiates the fact that liberals are typically weak-minded, devoid of a conscience and easily brainwashed.

[a_witness]

Steve Hassan is a brilliant ...

But does he have personal experience taking up arms against the United States ? If so, I know someone in the FBI who wants to discuss his personal experience.

[Anamensis]

Well, like mvpel said, we have to decide, then, whether we are going to regard Islam as a cult. After all, the Taliban is not that tiny, and was recognized by two other countries. Moreover, Muslims all over the world are cheering Al Qa'eda. If fundamentalist Islam is a cult, it's a damned big one. Where does one draw the line between a religion and a cult? And who draws it?

[Righty1]

I agree. This is where the CC $0.02 response is superior to phony "moral" hand wringing. Maybe we could even harvest a useful organ from his wasted life.

Ma ma first said it was hash, then brainwashing, next it will be a traumatic toilet training. Wish we could pop her and daddy tailibang in the dock with USBL Jr.! I would really like to see him keel hauled now so that he never has to set foot on satan soil again. It sure would be fun to roll him in bacon fat before his swim.

[angkor]

Idiot. By this "rationale," all Isalmist terrorism everywhere is excusable as the "Cult Of Allah."

[angkor]

Where does one draw the line between a religion and a cult?

Religions don't corporately engage in terrorism, murder, extortion, kidnapping, drug running, and embezzlement.

Cults often do. al Qaeda always does.

[Chick-with-a-brain]

I do disagree with several points Hassan makes in this article.

Walker was an educated young American. He dropped out of high school at 16 and converted to Islam. I'd hardly call a high school drop-out educated.

Hassan calls Walker's family loving and prosperous. Prosperous maybe, perhaps even loving. But, definitely missguided. I heard a report where his mother encouraged her son to experiment with different religions. A news program showed the California community where Walker grew up (after leaving the D.C. area). This community had a mosque, a Budhist temple, a group where witches worship, etc. Walker was encouraged by both his family and the community to try on different religions and see what fit.

Hassan may compare his experience in the Moonies with Walker's in the Taliban, but the author never took up arms against his country. Anyone who takes up arms against his country is a traitor and should go on trial for treason.(that's a period)

[PatriotGames]

I agree with the writer of this article 100% when he says that Walker deserves a fair trial. That's OK with me. Give him a fair trial THEN hang him!!!!

[Publius6961]

Steven Hassan: director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center

If you had anything to say that I might be even remotely interesting in hearing, I will call you, don't call me.
Your opinion isn't even useful enough to pick up dog doo doo with.

[Dr.Deth]

Steve Hassan's war on cults

You know, I don't think the cults are taking this declaration seriously enough. When was the last time you saw a Hare Krishna diving down a manhole for cover?

Maybe we need someone who isn't an ex-addle-brained lackey to make this statement. C'mon GW, help us out. If you can wipe ut Al-Qaeda, what chance does Mr. Tambourine Man-in-a-muu-muu have?