Wtf?!

[Solver]

Doesn't matter what you call it, as long as you eliminate the mother****ers responsible for causing it.

Which hasn't been done so far because every European country feels obliged to moan and whine as soon as Israel eliminates a single terrorist leader. Of course, these double standards of Europeans are stupid. OK, France at least condemns Israel and opposes war in Iraq. But when USA got Saddam, all of Europe were cheerful. If/when they capture/kill bin Laden, all of Europe will cheer. Now, we eliminate Yassin, everyone bi***s about it.

[Atahualpa]

As long as ppl go on in an eye-for-an-eye fashion down there, we'll probably see even more stupidity comming.

Personally I only shake my head.
I mean what would a father do if his 2 kids quarrel about something. "If you cant agree then neither of you should have it". At least I would handle it that way.

[East Street Trader]

Did you read it?

"This is another horrific example of how the Palestinians use their own children to spread terror against Israelis," David Baker, an official in the prime minister's office, said in response.

"These children are turned into human time-bombs for the purpose of spreading as much terror against Israelis as possible," Baker said.

The article couldn't attribute motive any clearer than that.

Of course I find the thing as sad as everyone else who has posted. But that is because I am the product of a humanist upbringing in a humanist society with a Judeo/Chritian (humanist) culture. Over and over we have had it explained to us that arabs, with their wholly different religious and cultural influences, simply don't share the same values.

What is said is that for a muslim to die by violence while pursuing a holy cause is the highest and best thing that such a person can hope for. So well does God think of such a person that they immediately enter heaven.

If parents believe that, and the boy believes that, I don't agree that the willingness of these youngsters to die heroically can just be shrugged of as evil.

I have a strong suspicion that the doctrine would turn out - if we knew a bit more about it - to be open to different interpretations. Religious doctrine rarely turns out to be hard and fast. So I would be very interested to hear from a Muslim scholar about it. But even if I am right that the idea is, in fact, more complex I doubt that it would make much sense to try to talk the youngster or his parents out of their belief.

Instead it would be a very good idea to find out what it is that they believe makes their targets the enemies of their God.

I have recently seen some stuff which suggests that the Koran says that Jew and arab must remain in conflict until judgment day. If so it is difficult to see how the flow of teen-aged would-be martyrs can be interupted.

Although the wit of man is considerable. Equally as intractible problems have sometimes been worked around.

And in case anyone might want to contend that Christianity has never gone in for anything as daft, well remember the Children's Crusade?

[Shogun Gunner]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
While certainly sending children to die is to be condemned, this alleged attack cannot be classified as "terrorism."

You have to be kidding.

Then nothing can be called "terrorism". Those 9-11 hiijackers were freedom fighters. And those Spanish civilians riding the trains were lawful combatants.

[Ben Kenobi]

And in case anyone might want to contend that Christianity has never gone in for anything as daft, well remember the Children's Crusade?

Practice is different from doctrine.

What about the passage saying that I am the Good shepherd, who lays my life down for the sheep? Pastors are supposed to take care of the children the congregation, not make bombs of them.

To assert that Christianity affirms such actions is to ignore entirely their doctrines on the sanctity of the human person.

[debeest]

Well said, EST.

[Imran Siddiqui]

You have to be kidding.

Then nothing can be called "terrorism". Those 9-11 hiijackers were freedom fighters. And those Spanish civilians riding the trains were lawful combatants.

I believe he was refering to the fact that the child was being sent to kill soliders, not civilians.

[Solver]

I believe he was refering to the fact that the child was being sent to kill soliders, not civilians.

What then, bringing the explosives to help some construction workers blow up an old ruined house?

[Edan]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
The PFLP is engaging in suicide bombing now?

They've used suicide bombings in the past.

[East Street Trader]

I suspect that those who promoted the Children's Crusade could quote a whole bunch of Christian doctrine Ben.

I rather imagine that their doing so explains why all the kids set out and why their parents went along with it.

Much as in this case.

From some of your posts it is my impression you have a good grasp of core Christian values. What practice could such a Christian recommend to the principals in relation to what has been going on in the middle east?

[our_man]

~~~

[Saint Marcus]

And the entire Europe of course condemns fighting this evil

and you'd be all to happy to fight any Palestinian boy that comes to close to your troops. Regardless of whether they are carrying bombs, or stones.

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
Stuie,

From the link in the OP.

Mea culpa.

Stupid IE search functionality.

[Ben Kenobi]

I suspect that those who promoted the Children's Crusade could quote a whole bunch of Christian doctrine

I would sincerely be interested in how they justified their actions, which would make a much more substantive critique of Christianity.

What practice could such a Christian recommend to the principals in relation to what has been going on in the middle east?

It's a tough question.

I would say that it starts with the one Jewish family who takes the trouble to invite a Palestinian family for dinner. It is only with the interaction of both people, will they learn to love each other more than they hate each other.

I know both sides say they have suffered, but the first step has to be taken by someone, who is willing to trust where no such trust has been earned.

[Shogun Gunner]

So, if using "children bombs" against soldiers during peacetime isn't terrorism....it must be because a war has been declared against Israel and the Palestine people are fighting with whatever they can...

So when Israel retaliates in a military fashion, why is that denounced? It's war after all and war is a terrible thing. Both sides have to want to stop before the war can stop. Why would this be solely Israel's fault?