I recently did a group research paper and presentation on The Growth of Radical Islam. I learned many things, including that only 15-20% of Muslims are Radical (many are peaceful, unlike this group). Islamic countries take male war orphans and train them in their fundamentalist schools, where they learn death chants and dream of dying young. One such line is, "Sharpen my bones into swords, for I am a bomb" (Shoebat - last name of author of two books I've read, who grew up in a radical Muslim family but later converted out of Islam).
Today I found this
video on msn.com, and it totally goes along with the information I've been finding.
Comments (3)
Dear Amber: Think of what "only" 15-20% of a faith that encompasses one BILLION followers entails. If we accept those statistics as valid, it means that 150 to 200 million people around the world accept fanatic militarism and terrorism as part of their religion. If this were taken in ratio to the total Christian population and if Christians were likewise accepting of death as their creed, then it would be the equivalent of a population equal to that of America in arms against the world. If anyone believes that the War On Terror is only a localized "contingency" operation and not a World War in itself, they had better take the blinders off! Radical Islam is every bit as huge a threat to civilization as were Communism, Fascism and militant reactionism in the previous world wars of the 20th Century.
@STEVENPILL - I think it's a very real threat. They do include all babies born into their families, though, unlike Christianity. It's hard to get an exact number, as well. But, I do think that those who think they will stop terrorism by "negotiating" are terribly ignorant about the radical faith.... the only way they stop is through fighting. And they will only stop as long as someone is fighting. But, I guess people will have to learn the hard way. Even Obama is not even instantly withdrawing the troops like some wanted him to and thought he would.
Dear Amber: You're right about the "hard numbers". Recall, also, that apostasy in many Moslem nations (including some "moderate" ones) is a potential capital offense! Could you imagine being stoned to death for changing your religious affiliation? Yet, this is exactly what Sharia Law proscribes. And, even in some areas of America, Sharia operates among the Islamic immigrants. A Christian or Jew in the Middle East can be legally persecuted. But, should one born to an Islamic family convert to Christianity... well, God help him. This is indicative of the kind of threat we face.