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Originally posted by George Smiley I can see where you are coming from, but you are overlooking the important role of religion in all this. No, they are not fighting to overturn a grave injustice, but that is from our perspective as democratically unreligiously(?) minded people. I dont know what makes the mind of a religious fanatic tick, cos I'm not even religious, let alone fanatical (apart from over Sheffield United that is)! For all we know, they could be just as highly motivated and determined as those fighting against a grave injustice, due to their religios beliefs. Religion over rules logic and reason where religion is intense enough. Look at other religious fanatics like the Settlers in Israel (sorry but its a good example even if it is an Israeli example!!). They believe the West Bank is rightfully theirs because it was promised to them by God. Is that any different than al-Qaida's ideology in principle? And there have been plenty of examples of Jewish terrorism from Neo-Zionist organisations (not as much as Islamic terrorism, but then, they have a sovereign country doing their terrorism for them many would argue) Just because in our minds, al-Qaida is not fighting a 'just cause', it in no way means that they wont be just as determined as we would expect if we thought their cause may be considered just. In fact, due to their religious beliefs, they might (probably) think that their cause is as much of a just cause as what we might consider a just cause in their minds, which is what is important here.

Ok, I see your point, to them they probably are fighting a grave injustice. However, despite the degree of their perseverence or conviction it does not give rise to any justification for society to even rationally humor their demands. They could be mindless zombies attacking in wave after wave of suicide attacks for all I care ... the simple fact remains that they're attempting to impose their minority political ideaologies on all of society in the entire middle east. Not an independant state with self-governance that is desired by the majority as your Palestinain example entails. IF their viewpoint were shared by the majority, then you would see a much more radicalized Middle East with the masses calling for Iranian style theocracies rather than what's currently happening ... a progression towards more westernized, secular states along with greater ties to the US and Europe. They cannot democratically accomplish what they are trying to do so they resort to force. And the civilized world, in keeping with the tradition of following the aggreggate will of the people as well as the preservation of the accepted societal methods for affecting change, must use force in response.

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