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.

[ARA]

There is no excuse.... End of story.... Execute him...

[Savage Beast]

All Hassan has done is tell the world how stupid he is.

[Savage Beast]

"...how these people enslave the minds of the weak and easily led." Yes, in other words, the stupid--also known as fools.

As for the cult of Liberalism: Liberals are all scoundrels and fools. The leaders are scoundrels. The rest are fools.

[okiedust]

Ok, It "happened" but from what I read of the radical islamic movement, (small case intentional, not just anyone gets to be Al Qeada, you have to prove you are worthy, they don't work on your mind till you are numb, it is your job to prove to them you are on board. Perhaps I am wrong, but the dolt can't have it both ways. Brainwashing takes away your will, but radical islam uses your will. Just a thought.

regards

[Savage Beast]

Yes, it's really quite simple. Some see. Some don't.

[Dr.Deth]

Who you calling a pawn, chowderhead?

	Queen to g8. Your move.

[cannonball]

I remember when I was 20 years old. I had a case of frostbite, but felt lucky at that. Aboard ship I was talking to one of my radio guys, about a friend we had lost, just this side of Koto Ri as I recall, and he said something to the effect that "life is a bitch --- then you die." This departed friend never had much when he was growing up. Now he wouldn't have anything worldly. To the John Walkers of this world -- life is a bitch --- then you die.

[Dr.Deth]

Hassan doesn't justify Walker's behaviour, he is just stating how it happened.

I'll tell you how it happened.

Walker is a moron.

Now, go sit down and let Darwin care of this fool's perpetuity.

[grumpster-dumpster]

"In the fall of 1974, I was invited to join a group of fellow students who said they were interested in making the world a better place. Within weeks, I dropped out of school, cut my long hair, and put on a three-piece suit (worn by the group in public, like a uniform)."

He became an AMWAY rep?

[Dr.Deth]

I wasn't saying Walker wasn't a scumbag traitor, but being brainwashed by cults or radical beliefs, happens.

Ah, Roop, I love ya. You keep setting 'em up for me!

If you're missing the joke, check the reply list

[VOA]

bump

[N. Theknow]

Give my middle-fingered regards to Sun-Myung, pawn.

Bump for "Rigid-middle-digit-salute".

[Chick-with-a-brain]

Personally, I believe it's a cult. But if we come to that conclusion, it's definitely WWIII. I don't think anyone's prepared to go there.

I think in dealing with Walker, we don't have to make that decision. I think it's clear that he took up arms against his country and he should be treated appropriately. Now the trial may not necessarily result in a death sentence, especially since he was 16 when he ran away to join these finatics.

[bibarnes]

The definition of a cult is a religion based on other than Christian Principles. Islam is considered a cult because of its rejection of the basic premise of Christianity. Judaism is not considered a cult because it is the ancestor of Christianity and the Jew is God's chosen. Jew's didn't kill Christ, Christ gave His life. As an aside. In the book of Luke we are told about the birht of Christ. He was wrapped in swaddling clothes. The interesting part of that is that because of the high infant mortality rate infants were wrapped in grave clothes just in case. So He really was born to die.

[beckett]

Walker may indeed have indulged in some typical young adult misjudgment and rash action, but "brainwashed" is absolutely the wrong term to describe him. His own impetuosity, guided (misguided, really) by his parents' example, brought him to the camps of the al-Qaeda.

I made plenty of misjudgments when I was his age, and I would hate to have to answer for some of them today. Fortunately for me, however, although some absurd opinions came out of my mouth in those days, I never broke the law.

Walker actually took up arms against his countrymen. Countrary to the view of Mr. Hassan, a legal principle is involved here that is far more "important" than Walker's "personal story." Unless Mr. Hassan wants to jettison the concept of national sovereignty entirely, the legal principle proscibing treason (even Barbara Boxer admits Walker's acts appear treasonable) must be upheld.

Walker should receive, at the very least, a stiff prison sentence. And, in fact, if reports are correct that he met Bin Laden and trained in al-Qaeda camps, he may deserve a military tribunal and a sentence of death.

[craig61a]

I thought it was a very good article

Such Intolerance...

[Sci Fi Guy]

Nothing Personal, but I have a better definition of a cult. I got it from Robert Bowman (a published scholar). It has 2 parts.

The first is any religious group where the leadership has an unhealthy psychological control over its members is a cult.

The second is any group that claims to be the newest, purist, truest, best version of a religion, while denying one or more essential teachings is a cult.

Islam, Judaism are considered to be world religions, not cults. If muslims claimed to be the Christians, then it could be called a cult.