The Atheist Buses

I was on the tube behind the one that exploded short of Aldgate station. If I had been two minutes earlier that morning I'd almost certainly be dead because I always stand in the front carriage. You ignore these people at your personal peril.

And if you think politics had anything to do with 9/11 etc you are sadly misled. This is the spin that decent muslims, of which there are many millions, put on things to excuse the extremists. The twin towers were not blown up in the name of George Bush, they were blown up for Allah

---

I certainly do not want to de-rail your thread into a discussion of terrorism, so I will be brief.

2001 was just one in a line of Al Qaeda attack on US soil and interests. The 1993 WTC bombing was planned by a man who claimed it was to end US ties to Israel. The 1998 embassy bombings are believed to have been a ploy to draw the US into Afghanistan.

This all goes back to 1979 when the USA helped fund Afgani resistance to the Soviet Union invasion. Once this was achieved the organisations continued to function for jihadist purposes.

Bin Laden himself has said "Terrorism against America deserves to be praised because it was a response to injustice, aimed at forcing America to stop its support for Israel, which kills our people."

Of course many people disagree on the true motives for both Bin Laden and Al Qaeda, but most agree he wishes strikes and terroism against the USA and US interests, and Israel.

In relation to July 7th in London, Shezad Tanweer said "What have you witnessed now is only the beginning of a string of attacks that will continue and become stronger until you pull your forces out of Afghanistan and Iraq. And until you stop your financial and military support to America and Israel."

How you can claim terrorism has nothing to do with politics is beyond me. It has EVERYTHING to do with politics.

I would also urge you to read the 9/11 Comission Report which has very in depth and interesting background reading on Bin Laden, Al Qaeda and the attackers as well as recent history in Afghanistan.

---

Lets just agree to disagree.

Middle eastern 'politics' is just religion dressed up. Islamic terrorism may achieve 'political' change in that sense, but it is a religious conversion they are really seeking.

---

I don't even like to say I'm an atheist. I just don't want to be labelled with regards to religion. I'm not a fan of religion and I don't push my views on anyone and I don't expect it back. Tha's my thoughts anyways :D

---

Live and let live. As long as no-one gets hurt, people can believe whatever they want.

---

That's the route to an eternity burning in the flames of hell though Ed :)

I agree with the last two posts, sums up my approach to religion.

Over Christmas I sat and listened to family members talk about a Christian church service they'd just attended. One of the main points they talked about was how well the service integrated the concept of Santa Claus for the children to be able to understand. They made a big point of "putting Santa Claus in his place" and making the kids understand that the day is actually about celebrating the birth of Jesus.

Now, I couldn't help but see a delicious irony in what they were saying - this character from stories who you often hear about doing amazing and impossible things is actually not real and the real meaning of Christmas is to celebrate the birth of someone you read about in stories who did amazing and impossible things.... oh, no that doesn't quite work.

:)

---

RELIGION:
why must it insight such emotion, vause such heated discussions and rows.
Its such a shame, I would never push my views on anyone and hate to have them forced upon me in the street and at my door. I have no problems with others and what they believe in just as long as it hurts no one !! Not sure any belief can truly claim that tho !!

---

The 'probably' is there because without it it would be a fundamentalist statement, closed to discussion and refusing to acknowledge that any other point of view has validity. That would make it as bad and hypocritical as all the worst aspects of religions.

---

i just like to believe even if it is not exist. At least i have something to think of.

---

interesting !!

:nod:

---