J'accuse!

[Khandro]

Has boring rationalism, secularism and atheism squeezed out the very life of our society leaving a vacuum which is now being readily filled by Islam?
I read in an article written by a worried mother on her son's 'conversion'; Spectator 4:10:14.

"...Our boy had never shown any interest in religion before he found Islam at 16. We're atheists, and we raised him to be tolerant of all faiths but wary of anyone selling easy answers ....."

She seems to fail to see that there just might be some connection.

[naomi24]

Khandro, I read the OP. He might not have shown any interest in religion, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t interested or curious. His parents raised him to be tolerant of all religions which would suggest that, although unbelievers themselves, they harbour respect for religion. It rubs off you know. ;o)

[birdie1971]

Khandro - "... Empty vessels is in quotation marks and refers to how such a boy would be perceived by Islamists. I have not said, nor implied that all atheists are empty vessels..."

OK. I concede that.

However, that still doesn't address my central point. You've stated that, "... I have searched the web and can find no examples of real Christians, of any variety, Hindus, Buddists, Jews, Taoists or followers of any religion having become jihadists...".

I have already given you one: Samantha Lewthwaite. There are many others but 'proving' they've become jihadists is obviously rather difficult. Most jihadists, by their nature, are violent, cowardly thugs who like their hide their real identities by wearing masks. They are rather like the quintessential school bullies - pathetically weak when seriously challenged and deeply insecure nobodies who crave attention and 'respect' while showing zero respect to the people they're victimising.

However, by claiming that no 'real' Christian/Hindu/Buddhist/Jew/Taoists, etc. have converted to Islam and gone on to become jihadists, you're using the same two logical fallacies that Keyplus uses regularly - the argument from personal incredulity and 'begging the question'.

[vetuste_ennemi]

Khandro and Birdie probably share a hate for the Islamification of Europe.

[birdie1971]

vetuste_ennemi

I always think it's best to ask people what their opinions actually are if you have the opportunity. Since you have that opportunity, do you have a question for me?

[vetuste_ennemi]

No.

[Khandro]

v_e; In case you haven't seen this, I wouldn't like you to miss it. I am, by the way, on her side, what a lady!;

[vetuste_ennemi]

I have seen it, Khandro. Also read a couple of books by her. This led me in turn to Robert Fisk's book on his experiences as a reporter in the Lebanon 72-82 - Pity the Nation.

[birdie1971]

Khandro

That's quite a video.