RE: Why Do People Act In Opposition To Their Internal Desires? The Theory of Reaction Formation
Further extreme professions of religiosity would be consistent with the picture
True. Good point.
I think the major problem with the Islamic terror issue is that so many people take this an an either/or situation
Islam is a violent, xenophobic religion and all of it's adherents are dangerous
versus
Islam is a religion of peace, and anyone who questions that is a racist
My own opinion is that Islam has doctrinal definitions...which do make it xenophobic, violent, and tyrannical...BUT that people are still people and the majority of Muslims are NOT xenophobic, violent,or tyrannical.
The best ...ahem..intimacy I ever got was from a "devout" Christian lady married to someone not me. While I am ashamed I allowed that, it does prove (to me, at least) that people can be defined culturally by their religion without being all devout about it's doctrines.
I am working on a blog about the "Muslim vs Islam" perspective I mentioned
I don't agree with that at least no more than most other religions - it is the narrative that we have been fed by the MSM and world governments to justify their own agenda in regards to limiting freedoms.
If you look at history nearly all religions have justified acts of extreme violence on the basis of religious dogma and on the basis of being good Christians/Muslims/Jews/Hindus or whatever.
I think the assumption that Islam is somehow unique in this regard is a mistake and I would be cautious of those who attempt to spread that idea because I believe there is an agenda behind it.
Indeed it serves the agenda of those who are trying to spread the extremist type of thought by creating divisions and making people more polarised.
That isn't to say there is no problem.
What we have right now is a particular definition of Islam which is ultra conservative and dangerous. The reasons for this are complex and in part rooted in the attempts to fight communism at the beginning of the 20th century as well as a variety of imperial interventions in international politics.
I find it worrying that nobody takes action against Saudi Arabia which seems to be encouraging and supporting this kind of thing.
I don't think it can last forever though.
Yes that is true of most people. Sadly those that are cause havoc for everyone else.
Nested Reply:
I believe in g*d, but I have no clue about who/what he is. I was once hostile to organized religion, but i have become more tolerant towards Christianity and more hostile to Islam over the last few years.
I used to do a mockery of Christianity on access TV called "The Satanic Tent Revival"...even my Christian friends liked it ;>
maybe a survey of issues? include every example you can think of. People's interest on Steemit tends to come and go, so why not! You've already laid the groundwork in this post, so the next one could just be a followup with more deatil on the example you choose.
I probably won't be a gadfly ;>
I bet you were popular with that - people don't like any kind of criticism of religion - although I think in part that is what makes it more funny because I think it releases tension. I think in general we need to laugh at ourselves and life it makes it easier to cope!
Interesting thanks for the suggestion - I will have a think as to how I can do it. Maybe I could combine the two so that those that don't have their own examples can discuss it.
Right now I have a few other topics that I have been working on plus I am trying to get up to speed for returning to work too. It never seems like there is enough time!
and it leads to the "guilt by association" problem.
While I will stand by my statement, I'll argue the point on the post I'll publish.
I hate it when folks derail my blogs (even when there is good discussion ;>) so I'll take my penny off the tracks now!
Lol no problem and I am not saying you are wrong. We all have our different points of view.
To be honest I tend to fluctuate between being an atheist and agnostic with anti-organised religion stance.
What do think about a post on some other less controversial examples of reaction formation? If found a study which had an interesting effect on racism (people overcompensating) and feminism but I'm not sure if people will be interested.