Extremism

“I would remind you that extremism in defense of liberty is no vice, and let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” – Barry Goldwater

Agree?  I do!  Loved than man!  Let’s look at various forms of extremism. 

Extreme meat haters are called ’veggies,’ and the very thought of ingesting meat makes them retch.  That’s their prerogative, and no one is harmed.  Vegetarians are less extreme ’veggies, but no one is harmed.

Extreme railroad, airplane, boat, or whatever extremists, remember numbers, routes, dates, history, weights, sounds, destinations, etc of their respective hobbies.  They have fun, and no one is harmed.  Car extremists spend huge amounts of time and money restoring, building hot rods, or in some way enjoying their hobby.  No one is harmed.

Extreme athletes spend their lives running, jumping, exercising, body building, and playing sports.  Sports extremists, spend their time and even lives, keeping track of and watching football, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and other events.  They can recite records and dates endlessly, and this makes them happy.  No one is harmed.

There are literary extremists, who can recite, read, and write till the cows come home, and no one is harmed.  Film extremists, know every flick, when they were made, who directed and starred.  There are extremists in every field of endeavor or hobby, and no one is harmed.

Then we have religious extremists.  Christian extremists often become ministers, or pastors.  They may become missionaries, and go to foreign lands to convert people to their particular beliefs.  Jewish extremists will eat no pork, cook their dairy and meats in different pots, and maintain a strict kosher kitchen, in addition to going to synagogue often.  Neither Christian not Jewish extremists cause harm, and neither do Buddhists, Taoists, or whole host of other denominations cause any harm by being extremist in their beliefs.

Then we have the Muslims.  Extreme Muslims kill, maim, and destroy.  Extreme Muslims commit wholesale atrocities such as building bombs to trap the unwary.  Extreme Muslims believe that by killing a non-Muslim, they will achieve instant paradise and 32 virgins.  The Muslim holy book (Koran) says that all non-believers should be put to death. Extreme Muslims are basically anti-feminine, and want their women to cover themselves totally, except for a couple of peepholes, not drive a car, and be slaves to their husbands.  Extreme Muslims will drink no alcohol, shave no beards, and must bow down and pray five times a day.  When we were in Istanbul, the loud, ear shattering calls to prayer were deafening.  Christians sing hymns and do not deafen people with huge loudspeakers.

While I don’t argue with Muslim outrage of America and others invading their lands, isn’t there a better way to stop this?  How about cease trying to kill non-Muslims? When an Army major kills a dozen because he fears going to Iran, and it seems to be his way of confronting the situation, isn’t there something awfully wrong with that religion in its extremist sense?  Islam is growing like weeds, and as a Christian, I worry about that. I am sure that 95% of Muslims are not of the extremist mode, but if the Koran says that all infidels should die, does that give any Muslim permission to murder, if conditions make that act easy to commit?

Extremist members of other religions and their holy books, do not advocate death for non-believers.  Christian extremists are urged to love and care for others, not kill them.  Their rewards are resurrection, heaven, or other, depending on the denomination, but not instant paradise and 32 virgins for committing suicide, and taking a few others with them.  Christians are totally different than Muslims in beliefs and rewards for conduct.