Tariq Nelson

Dr Sherman Jackson wrote an interesting piece here.

In point of fact, however, I see Muslims as being just as guilty of high-handed arrogance and blatant disregard for both the sanctity of human life and the teachings of the religion they profess. I am actually writing this missive from the gulf state of Qatar, where I have spoken with numerous Muslims who bemoan what they describe as a frightening and deep-seated sickness that seems to have gripped a segment of the Muslim population. They recognize the horrific political, social and economic conditions under which this segment lives. But they do not condone their wanton, publicly directed violence and terror; and they do not recognize it as part of their religion. 

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And yet violence — senseless, gratuitous, mean-spirited violence — continues to haunt us, in the East and in the West. Perhaps it is time we expand our investigation beyond Islam and ask if there is something about Modernity that pushes so many of us to seek redemption in publicly directed violence.

Hat tip to Hood