The World Trade Center Attacks

October, 2001
Volume 4, Issue 10
Long Island S ecul ar Human ist s
Box 119, Greenlawn, NY 11740
The World Trade
Phone 516 742-1662 Fax: 516 742-4618
Email LISecHum@aol.com
Center Attacks
LISH MEETING
The War Between Secularism and Theocracy?
By Gerry Dantone
INFORMATION
On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, everything changed for the
On Friday, October 19, @ 7PM, Ron Barrier of people of America. We have witnessed, in essence, the opening
American Atheists will be speaking at the Plainview-
salvo in a war that few have been able or willing to define prop-
Old Bethpage Public Library, 999 Old Country Road, erly: A war between secularism and theocracy.
Plainview. His topic will be “Don't you believe in any-
Is this really the case?
thing?" We’ll take a wild guess that the answer will be
YES! This promises to be an outstanding forum.
If the suspected terrorists ADMIT that they are religiously mo-
The Friday, November, November 16, 7PM @ the tivated and do it in the name of their God and religion, then it IS
Plainview-Old Bethpage Public Library, meeting will about religion. Apologists who claim that this is not the true way
feature blues-folk singer songwriter and local legend of their religion are doing what the terrorists also do – laying claim
Sonny Meadows! If you have never seen Sonny per-
to an absolute truth. Excuse us for wanting more evidence on ei-
form, you cannot afford to miss this opportunity! If you ther side. Otherwise it is just one opinion against another. Look-
have seen him, no further advice is necessary.
ing at the scriptures or other religious sources may prove embar-
Note: Tuesday, October 9, 2001 at 3pm, at Kean
University in Union, NJ, it's the Kean University God-
rassing to moderates who otherwise should be proud they’re not
Debate between Joe Zamecki and Rick James of the Cam-
fundamentalists.
pus Crusade for Christ. The debate will be held in the
Consider this “exchange” between Afghan Mullah Mohammed
East Campus Theater on Riverside Dr. in Union, NJ. It Omar and the President:
will not be on the main campus on Morris Ave.
Omar: “We are confident that no one can harm us if God is
Note: Also, Ron Barrier will be addressing the with us. Almighty God is helping the believers and the Muslims.
Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island, 38 Old God says he will never be satisfied with the infidels… America
Country Rd., Garden City, on Sunday, Oct. 7 at their
11:00AM
meeting, 516-741-7304, website:
ha

s taken Islam hostage. America controls the governments of the
WWW.EHSLI.ORG. The topic will be: American Athe-
Islamic countries. The people ask to follow Islam, but the govern-
ists 2001. He will present an overview of the organiza-
ments do not listen.”
tion; it's direction, vision and accomplishments.
Pres. Bush: “Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty have al-
Visit LISH on the web: http://www.homestead.com/
ways been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between
lishweb and also at http://wwwhumanist.com
them.”

As Richard Dawkins says, there is an elephant in the room, that
What Do We Do
Pg 3
many are trying to ignore or rename, but theistic religion it is and hate is
By Sally Morem
what it is creating.
Jihad Pg
6
What is precisely the grievance of those who would kill thousands
By Ibn Warraq
of innocent civil-
Look Who Agrees with bin Laden
Pg 8
SECULAR HUMANISM is the phi- ians? Is it the
By Gerry Dantone
losophy of life guided by reason and sci-
cause of the Pales-
Is Islam Different?
Pg 9
By Gerry Dantone
tinians? Answer:
ence, freed from religious and secular dog-
Mindless Hate - American Style
Pg 11
Not at all! Yasir
mas, motivated by an appreciation of life
By Gerry Dantone
Arafat, though
and the lives of others, seeking to reach
Letters to the Editor
Pg 2
largely to blame
goals of human happiness, freedom and
(Continued on page 5)
understanding on this earth, in this life.

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 2
A Thumbs Up Publication
Letters to the Editor
Editor: Gerald Dantone
Re: SPECIAL LISH QUESTION brought to justice.
Art Design: John R. Wilmarth OF THE MONTH: What are your But we should
thoughts regarding the recent terrorist
never forget that the
All articles in this newsletter may be reprinted attacks on the US? LISH will publish murders of thousands of
by organizations affiliated with the Council for a special issue devoted to the topic and innocent American citizens did not
Secular Humanism or the American Humanist the views and feelings of the humanist occur in a political vacuum.
Association, with a reciprocating reprinting community are sought. Also, aside America's blundering and idiotic
agreement with LISH, so long as the article is from charitable donations and volun- foreign policy in the Middle East from
used in full and with complete crediting. Edited teerism, is there anything the humanist its use of the CIA to overthrow the
versions can be used with written permission.
community should do in the wake of government of Iran in 1953 to its pre-
the tragedy?
sent "Israel ueber alles" posture, and
Become a Member of LISH
9/12/01 Just wanted to point out -- its murderous decade in Iraq should
Membership in LISH has its benefits! as I

'm sure you're painfully aware -- have exposed its folly by now for all to
Membership entitles one to: use of the LISH the irony of "President" Bush con-
see. Robert E. Nordlander via Internet
Freethought library (contact librarian Bill Mohr-
demning fanatics and then quoting
Response: It is clear that a callous
man, 516 795 3318; for a catalogue and re-
from the Bible -- New Testament, attitude toward civilian casualties will
quests, or if you want to register a book for oth-
even. Every time some lackey calls forever haunt any nation, the US in-
ers to borrow); voting rights; mailed newsletters; for "prayer," I can't help but point out
cluded. G.D.
invitations to non-public functions, dinners, and that "prayer" -- if this was indeed an
9/15/01 My response to the LISH
perhaps movies and plays as well!
attack from Muslim extremists (which
Question regarding the recent terrorist
Let us grow into the humanist voice of Long I'll admit is not proven by evidence at
attack is this: All religions should be
Island! Only $40 for membership for one year, this point, but go with me here) -- is declared "Mental Illness."
$5 more for each extra family member who how this whole thing probably started!
Another sad observation is how
seeks voting rights, or $12 per year for the news-
Not praying, but hoping, Grady via many churches are exploiting the trag-
letter only. Send a check with your name, ad-
Internet
edy by scheduling "candlelight vigils."
dress and phone number, to LISH, Box 119,
Response: You're 100% right - the Regards, Rob via Internet
Greenlawn, NY 11740.
problem is that prayers WERE an-
Response: Something that is impor-
swered - the supposedly Islamic funda-
tant to understand is that even reli-
mentalist prayers, as is assumed.
gious fanatics are not necessarily men-
Help Wanted!
President Bush, who is fairly funda-
tally ill in any organic way. They sim-
Volunteers to coordinate and assist in set-
mentalist himself, will fail to realize ply are not able to think rationally and
ting up a Campus Freethought campaign are this. G.D.
compassionately from years of indoc-
needed!
9/15/01 The tragic events of Sep-
trination. As for the response from
Those interested or with suggestions please tember 11, 2001 have shown that churches, they are well meaning but
call Gerry Dantone at 516 742 1662!
America is not immune from attack by
ironic in a way that escapes the vast
those who would harm her.
majority of persons. G.D.
Be Sure to Watch
This fact was obviously forgotten
9/15/01 Before this suicide attack, I
"Humanist Perspective"
when the Clinton administration led had begun to sympathize with the Pal-
Hosted by Joe Beck, on Cablevision Public NATO's terrorist bombing attacks estinian point of view, I saw the injus-
Access on channel 71 on the Woodbury sys-
against Yugoslavia and when Made-
tice of Israel moving them off the
tem, channel 70 on the Hauppauge system line Albright casually dismissed the lands that they had owned and lived on
and channel 70 on Brookhaven Cablevision, deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children during for generations, I just never agreed
every Wednesday @ 6:30 PM.
her infamous interview with Leslie with their methods. Now, the only
Stahl on Sixty Minutes on May 12, homeland I wish for them would be in
1996.
HELL! Jim via Internet
NEW YORK AREA SKEPTICS
Nor should we forget that American
Response: It probably is important
(NYASk)
tax dollars and F-16's are enabling the
to divorce the Palestinian question
The New York Area Skeptics is a terrific Israelis to murder Palestinians with from the terrorist act for a simple rea-
organization that should appeal to many impunity.
son: They are not necessarily inte-
secular humanists. The group deals with
Why America's political leadership grally related. What was just for Is-
claims of the paranormal, medical quack-
should believe that it has the right to rael and Palestine remains just. How-
ery and any other topic that calls for a criti-
bomb the hell out of everyone else in
ever, the need for a secular solution
cal examination. There is no meeting in the world and not expect retaliation should have been reinforced, though I
August. Plainview-Old Bethpage Public only shows its arrogance and stupidity. doubt many political leaders under-
Library, 999 Old Country Rd., Plainview,
The criminals who perpetrated the stand this. G.D.
Nassau County. For info visit the website World Trade Center bombing and the 9/15/01 Please accept my sincerest
@ www.nyask.com.
attack on the Pentagon must be
(Letters on page 3)

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 3
relativism is dead. Equivalence theory is
- must be named by us as secular human-
What Do We Do?
dead. We know evil when we see it. The
ists to be the grandest political, economic,
By Sally Morem
Islamic extreme fundamentalists are evil. cultural, and social invention in human
We now know that the terrorists have
They would kill every single American if
history. Why? Because it will help our
tried to do very serious damage to Amer-
they could, Israel or no Israel. They movement and because it is true.
ica many times in the past, each time would stop at nothing. Why? Because
We are at war. This war will take
thwarted by our security forces. This we Americans are sinners in their eyes years. We secular humanists must take
time the terrorists succeeded. I am very with our freedom, our wealth, our culture. sides. Folks, I tell you, cultural evolution
sad and extremely furious.
We stand in their way merely by existing.
has brought us to this: The world can ei-
The terrorists ripped into America,
So they believe Allah orders geno-
ther choose the Enlightenment West led
erasing thousands of our fellow Ameri-
cide.
by America, or it can choose the terrorists
cans' lives from the universe.
We are at war. What, besides dona-
with their promises (threats) of theocratic
As secular humanists, we can't give tions can we do?
tyranny. There is no longer a third way.
their families religious comfort by prom-
We can engage in a secular humanist
I realize humanists normally consider
ising life after death for their loved ones. wartime propaganda blitz. At every op-
the Christian religious right as our ulti-
We can only give meaning to this horren-
portunity, we can use our humanist con-
mate enemy. This is no longer true. Our
dous travesty by accepting the challenge nections around the world to spread the religious right is a pitiful joke -- witness
history and the terrorists have flung at us:
word against promises of God's virgins in
Falwell's and Robertson's recent sick
The systematic tracking down and de-
heaven to murderers of Americans. We statements, practically excusing those
struction of every terrorist organization in
can repeat over and over again how secu-
attacks on our country. Our new ultimate
the world. We are the only nation with lar America is THE force for good in the
enemy is the Islamic religious right. They
the military and technological know-how
world, for freedom, democracy, and a are the ones who are willing to slam air-
for the job. We must take the responsibil-
satisfying moral life. We could link our-
planes into buildings full of people. Fal-
ity. We can't duck it the way we did after
selves again and again to the moral vir-
well and Robertson are only willing to
World War I. I believe our Jewish friends
tues of secular America. We could end flap their yaps.
will not mind if we borrow their saying, any semblance of anti-Americanism
It's time we secular humanists choose
"Never Again."
we've ever engaged in. We may remain
America -- our beloved democratic and
Appeasement is dead. Pacifism is critical of specific problems, but America
free secular nation. Our beloved home.
dead. Cultural relativism is dead. Moral
-- after accounting for all human frailties -
(Sally Morem is President, Humanists of
Minnesota.)
(letters from page 2)
without helping the Taliban. The women
against the Western world should we car-
condolences for the losses suffered by in Afghanistan have lived in terror ever pet bomb ANY nation in the Middle East.
New Yorkers and others during recent since the Taliban has taken over.
The US needs to think through the best
days. Joe Beck, Council for Secular Hu-
This is the horror that religions are ca-
way to deal with Israel, the Middle East-
manism via Internet
pable of and is not confined to the Tali-
ern governments who on our side, the
Response: Thank you. G.D.
ban. As has been proven over and over UN, and the rest of the world's govern-
9/15/01 It's a shame that something like
again and again in history, religions of the
ments in finding the proper and effective
this has to happen in order for the US to
world have aimed to control the lives of method of ending not only the action of
go above and beyond the call of duty to people, and particularly women, the Tali-
these religious fanatics, but the poor con-
take care of this evil that has been poison-
ban has been particularly good at it.
ditions of the Middle East which leads to
ing humanity for such a long time. And it
I also think we should not be taking the making of such murderers in the first
has to take something on this scale to revenge. (It is always amazing to me how
place.
"bring" New Yorkers together. When people who believe in Jesus and in
The world is a small place Mr. Presi-
will the average New Yorker realize New
"turning their cheek" are always so war-
dent; we cannot withstand any biological
York will be such a more beautiful place
like.) It's not that I don't feel anger, as I
or nuclear warfare. I am afraid for all
if we all acted as one community with one
most certainly do, and it's not that I Americans, and indeed the human spe-
cause. To respect and love others as we wouldn't like revenge, as I most certainly
cies. We need a UNITED WORLD. We
would our family. Lou via Internet
do, but I think that will not solve this need you to calm Americans down before
Response: We have proven it can be problem of terrorism in the long run. E jingoism blinds us to the horrors of war.
done. Why not everyday? G.D.
Jetter via Internet
We need you to be a rational leader in this
9/19/01 I think that we should figure
9/16/01 You are right in that the focus
time of great crisis. We need you to fol-
out how to get rid of the Taliban in Af-
must be justice and prevention. G.D.
low the footsteps of a past Republican
ghanistan. According to a post from an
9/16/01 To President Bush: In the next
leader we all respect - Abe Lincoln - and
Afghan who has lived here for 35 years, few hours and days, please consider that
this time, end this war BEFORE it begins
the Taliban is holding the country hostage
there are most likely hundreds of terror-
for we cannot wait for any god to bless
and the people of Afghanistan are unable
ists-to-be RIGHT NOW in the USA, Can-
America, we need to save ourselves, our
to get rid of the thugs. I do not recom-
ada, and Europe just waiting for a good countrymen, and our world ... ourselves.
mend a military war but certainly there excuse to unleash more acts of violence, Concerned, scared citizen, Barry Seid-
may be some way to help the Afghans chemical warfare and/or nuclear warfare
(Continued on page 4)

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 4
(Letters from page 3)
country by doing the best I can to MOVE
Center For Inquiry’s
man, via Internet
FORWARD rather than join others in
Re: Unfortunately, this may be a war blaming and downing what we have done
International Conference:
that has already begun whether we want in the past.
Science and Religion: Are They
it or not. It is hoped that our President,
Nobody "deserves" this type of terror-
Compatible?
not known for his intellectual curiosity or
ism, despite of what we have done to oth-
The Center For Inquiry has planned a
depth of understanding, is capable of dis-
ers or helped others to harm their ene-
conference international in scope, to take
cerning the nuances of the task ahead. mies. We all need to be proactive in our
place November 9th through 11th, @ the
G.D.
political, ethical and social thinking and Atlanta Airport Marriot, Atlanta, GA.
9/16/01 Religiously and culturally di-
in providing assistance to others. We
Guest speakers will include Norm Al-
verse cities, when suddenly stripped of all
need to be more serious in the care we len, Jr., Hector Avalos, Susan Blackmore,
those varied perspectives, and left solely give ourselves. Annita via Internet
Ed Buckner, Vern Bullough, Antony
in the moment of a terrible and shocking
Response: In the spirit of moving for-
Flew, Tom Flynn, Kendrick Frazier,
event, take one common course - they ward, perhaps it is also time to reassess Adolf Grunbaum, Ray Hyman, Barry
come together.
everything – our country’s goals, values Karr, Paul Kurtz, Joe Nickell, Massimo
It re-affirms my belief in the human and policies towards the rest of the world. Pigliucci, Steven Pinker, Gary Posner,
race, that though we are able to convince
We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes Eugenie Scott, Wole Soyinka, Vic
ourselves, through religious, political and
of the past and allow religious zealots to
Stenger, and David Willey! Noted
economic reasoning, to commit such hor-
seize on resentment against us to build “Intelligent Design” theorist Michael
rible acts at the ones we saw on Tuesday,
their ranks. We must promote hope in the
Behe will also appear.
and even the ones America commits on world to the best of our ability. Where
Registration is $149, $79 for students.
foreign soil, some of our purest, most hope is lost, people look to martyrdom in
Call early for special hotel rates ($89/
visceral reactions appear to be compas-
the next life, and the US is an inevitable night) and optional luncheon and dinner
sion, empathy, selflessness and heroism,
target unless we provide the hope. G.D.
events (at extra costs). Call 1 800 458
as we've seen in New York. Steve
9/19/01 We are at war, and we must 1366 for details or to register for the con-
DeVries, Center for Inquiry-Metro New respond accordingly, causing maximum ference and 404 766 7900 to book a hotel
York via Internet
damage as quickly as possible with mini-
room.
Response: Sadly, evil is easy, good is mum risk to and loss of American lives.
T h e w e b s i t e i s : h t t p s : / /
difficult. A handful of evil persons have We must deliver an ultimatum to Iran, secure15.cedant.com/secularhumanism/
overwhelmed numerous well-intentioned Iraq, Syria, the Sudan, Libya and Af-
conference/index.htm
persons. G.D.
ghanistan: within seven days, disarm your
9/17/01 God's punishing us for our sins
military, destroy all terrorist camps within
want to live: we do. Let's remove their
(Falwell and Robertson), God help us (my
your borders, and allow constant inspec-
threat so promptly and so decisively that
mother), God bless America (everybody).
tions henceforth to guarantee that you do
no one will think of making it again - and
The association between God and country
not again become a threat to American then get on with our lives. Dianne Du-
has never been stronger. As a secular citizens.
rante, Ayn Rand Institute via Internet
humanist, I am struck by the irony of it
If these countries fail to comply--which
Response: When did Objectivists begin
all. Aren't we going to war to protect our
is extremely likely, given America's re-
to care so little about individuals? The
way of life? Aren't those ways, secular cord of vacillation and weakness in the indiscriminate demolition of Afghanistan
humanist ways? I guess the religious spin
face of decades of terrorist attacks -- we (or Iraq and other countries) would
is predictable and relevant to a great ma-
must unhesitatingly bomb the terrorist surely kill many innocent people indeed.
jority of people. So I'll bite my tongue camps to rubble, AND raze the capitals of
After the Taliban is gone, we need to
and support my country to defend our the countries in question, starting with leave them with hope, not bitterness and
secular freedoms. John Lucania via Inter-
Afghanistan. Blow them out of the 21st hate, or the problem will return. G.D.
net
century and back to the period that had no
9/19/01 The goal of this war is a cold,
Response: Perhaps it is time to STOP respect for life, liberty and property: the practical necessity: to eliminate a threat to
biting your lip. If the death of 6,000 of Dark Ages. What about the "innocent civilization.
our innocent neighbors does not allow us
citizens" in those countries? Many
1. We must have a clear grasp of the
to point out the danger of religious fanati-
danced in the streets with delight at the means, ends, and morality of the war we
cism, what will? G.D.
news that thousands of American civil-
are about to wage.
9/17/01 I think that the best thing for ians had been burned and crushed to
2. We must not regard these attacks as a
me to do since last Tuesday, is try to death. If there are any true innocents criminal matter. The perpetrators are not
know even more about myself; my wants,
among them, let them take those seven just lone individuals, but the governments
my needs, what makes me cry and why I
days to flee the capital and the country, or
that support them.
laugh.
to rebel.
3. We must eliminate the terrorist head-
The more I know and take comfort
To retaliate against a country whose quarters and training camps in Afghani-
from my own diverse ways, the deeper I government aids and abets terrorists is not
stan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Sudan.
can appreciate them in others. I will con-
vengeance. It is not bloodlust. It is not
4. We must also depose these govern-
tinue to do my best to honor my chosen murder. It is self-defense. They do not
(Letters on page 5)

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 5
(Continued from page 1)
nate the real threat of terrorists who
It is time to prevent what undoubt-
for the collapse of peace talks and state-
would not hesitate to kill millions of peo-
edly would lead to the mass deaths of
hood for Palestine, is a secularist (relative
ple, if only they could, to advance a totali-
millions of Americans via future terror-
to others in the region) himself and does
tarian way of life on future victims. This
ism. Not only should terrorists be re-
NOT wish to alienate the United States is as black and white as it’s going to get. moved, regimes that support them top-
and hand power over to fundamentalist Perhaps some of us have thought the US
pled, and organizations that fund them
Islamic groups in his territory. His ex-
was the bully or the aggressor in one eliminated, but social justice and hope
cuse for not cracking down on such ex-
situation or another, or perhaps that the must be put in their places. The humani-
tremists has been his inability to do so. US was completely at fault in some other
zation of religion must continue. Secular-
They enjoy the support of a large segment
situation. Perhaps. But the murder of ism is an essential component. Nothing
of his population. He now wishes to be a
6,000 persons is unrelated to any social less will stand a chance of success. We
part of the coalition that fights terrorism. cause for the good of humanity. No, hope the President and Congress under-
His mistake all along has been using and
they’re trying to kill us for what is posi-
stand. The job is huge, but there is no
appeasing terrorists to the point where tive about America: freedom of religion choice.
their power threatens his, and he is unable
and speech and our secularism.
to control them, losing his credibility.
Are the grievances based on misuse (Letters from page 4)
Bomb them with information: Video
of our country’s vast powers? Answer: ments, capture or kill their leaders, and players and cassettes of world leaders,
Ridiculous! No regime in the world is put whoever remains on trial for their war
particularly Islamic leaders, condemning
more despotic, power mad and sickening crimes--we must accept no apologies or terrorism. Carpet the country with maga-
than the Taliban, protectors of Osama Bin offers of cooperation from them now.
zines and newspapers showing the horror
Laden the lead suspect. Social justice is
5. "We must replace these leaders with
of terrorism committed by their "guest".
what they OPPOSE.
new regimes under the control of the Blitz them with laptop computers and
It is true that the US has erred in United States--just as we did in Japan and
DVD players filled with a perspective that
many ways in dealing with other nations, Germany at the end of WWII.
is denied them by their government. Satu-
leading to the deaths of innocent civilians
6. We must undertake a military occu-
ration bombing with hope will mean that
abroad. It is also true that our record for pation of the Middle East to ensure that no
some of it gets through. Send so much
social justice is far from perfect here at terrorist organizations can ever again form
that the Taliban can't collect and hide it
home. We have made huge mistakes to attack the United States.
all!
from slavery, to segregation to Viet Nam
7. We must be prepared to use nuclear
The Taliban are telling their people to
to carpet bombings of our enemies and weapons--just as we did to end WWII--to
prepare for Jihad. Instead, let's give the
other military acts that have, in the past, spare the lives of hundreds of thousands Afghani people their first good meal in
accounted too little for non-combatants.
of US troops.
years.
This changes nothing in this case.
8. We must prepare the American peo-
Seeing your family fully fed and the
We have been and still are the world’s ple to accept a very real, protracted, all-
prospect of stability in terms of food and a
greatest example of freedom, democracy, out war--to accept the grim task ahead and
future is a powerful deterrent to martyr-
social justice and hope itself, which is of to prosecute it to the end. From Ayn dom. All we ask in return is that they, as
course, a sad indictment of the rest of the Rand Institute senior fellow Robert a people, agree to enter the civilized
world. Our resolve, though, must be to Tracinski via Internet
world. That includes handing over terror-
do better, not give up or resign in self-
Response: At this point, the use of nu-
ists in their midst.
guilt.
clear weapons is clearly unwarranted.
In responding to terrorism we need to
The Taliban and other extremists However, if terrorists were to unleash do something different.
who would use terror seek to impose their weapons of mass destruction against civil-
Something unexpected, something that
point of view on everyone. Even if they ian populations, the US would be placed addresses the root of the problem. We
were the majority in a given country, their in a difficult position. G.D.
need to take away the well of despair,
rule would still violate every single value
9/19/01 A military response, particu-
ignorance and brutality from which the
that our Founding Fathers embraced in larly an attack on Afghanistan, is exactly
Osama bin Laden's of the world water
framing the Constitution and Bill of what the terrorists want. It will strengthen
their gardens of terror. From SJC via
Rights. They would seek to eliminate all and swell their small but fanatical ranks.
Internet
freedom of speech, religion and assembly.
Instead, bomb Afghanistan with butter,
Response: Hopelessness breeds fatal-
In this case, there is nothing to debate.
with rice, bread, clothing and medicine. It
ism. We need to replace the Taliban with
Although it is tragic that war or a will cost less than conventional arms, hope. G.D.
violent conflict may serve as a vehicle to poses no threat of US casualties and just
9/12/01 (Forwarded from Warren Allen
improve a society, improve we must. We might get the populace thinking that Smith, author of “Who’s Who in Hell):
must resolve to let social justice rule our maybe the Taliban don't have the answers. Subject: Message to my American
foreign policy, admit past mistakes and After three years of drought and with star-
friends: Like most of the world, I watched
do our best to make what was wrong, vation looming, let's offer the Afghani with horror and disbelief the unfolding
right.
people the vision of a new future; one that
events of Black Tuesday: local networks
We must support the effort to elimi-
includes full stomachs.
(Letters on page 8)

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 6
granted the truth: there is no possibility of
*Non believers go to hell-IV.140;
salvation outside it. Muslims must fight VII.36
Jihad
and kill in the name of Allah.
*Partial Believers go to hell too-
By Ibn Warraq
We read (IX. 5-6):"Kill those who join
IV.150-1
Given the stupefying enormity other gods with God wherever you may
*Sadistic punishments-LVI.42-43
of the acts of barbarism of 11 Sep-
find them";
*Punishment for apostates-XVI.106;
tember, moral outrage is appropri-
IV.76: "Those who believe fight in the
III.86-88; III.90; IV.137
ate and justified, as are demands cause of God";
*Threat of punishement for not going
for punishment. But a civilized
VIII.39-42: "Say to the Infidels: if they
to war-IX.38-39, XLVIII.16
society cannot permit blind at-
desist from their unbelief, what is now
*God making someone more sinful so
tacks on all those perceived as past shall be forgiven; but if they return to he can be punished more-III178
"Muslims" or Arabs. Not all Mus-
it, they have already before them the
*Intentionally preventing unbelievers
lims or all Arabs are terrorists. doom of the ancients! Fight then against from knowing the truth-VI.25 ; VI.110
Nor are they implicated in the them till strife be at an end, and the relig-
*Intentionally preventing unbelievers
horrendous events of Tuesday. ion be all of it God's."
from Understanding Quran-XVII.45-46
Police protection for individual
Those who die fighting for the only true
*It is God who causes people to err and
Muslims, mosques and other in-
religion, Islam, will be amply rewarded in
He punishes them for that-XVII.97
stitutions must be increased.
the life to come:
*God could guide, if he chose to, but
IV.74: "Let those who fight in the cause
did not-VI.35
However, to pretend that Islam has of God who barter the life of this world
*Intentionally misguiding those whom
nothing to do with Terrorist Tuesday is to
for that which is to come; for whoever he pleases to-XIV.4
willfully ignore the obvious and to for-
fights on God's path, whether he is killed
*Willfully misguiding some-XVI.93
ever misinterpret events. Without Islam or triumphs, We will give him a hand-
*God causes human to err-IV.143;
the long-term strategy and individual acts
some reward."
VII.178
of violence by Usama bin Laden and his
What should we make with these fur-
*God deceiving humans-IV.142
followers make little sense. The West ther unfortunate verses from the Qur'an:
It is surely time for us who live in the
needs to understand them in order to be
*Torment to Non-believers-IV.56
West and enjoy freedom of expression to
able to deal with them and avoid past
*Only Islam Acceptable III.85
examine unflinchingly and unapologeti-
mistakes. We are confronted with Islamic
*No friends from outsiders-III.118
cally the tenets of these fanatics, includ-
terrorists and must take seriously the Is-
*No friends with Jews, Christians-V. ing the Qur'an, which divinely sanctions
lamic component. Westerners in general,
51
violence. We should unapologetically
and Americans in particular, do not un-
*No friends with non believers-IV.144,
examine the life of the Prophet, who was
derstand the passionate, religious, and III.28
not above political assassinations, and
anti-western convictions of Islamic terror-
*No friends with parents/siblings if not
who was responsible for the massacre of
ists. These God-intoxicated fanatics believers-IX.23
the Jews.
blindly throw away their lives in return
*Fight non-believers-IX.123
"Ah, but you are confusing Islam with
for the Paradise of Seventy Two Virgins
*Kill non-believers-IV.89
Islamic fundamentalism. The Real Islam
offered Muslim martyrs killed in the Holy
*Anti Jewish verses-V.82
has nothing to do with violence," apolo-
War against all infidels.
*God a "plotter"-VIII.30
gists of Islam argue.
Jihad is "a religious war with those who
*Killing Idolators-IX.5
There may be moderate Muslims, but
are unbelievers in the mission of the
*Idolators are unclean just because they
Islam itself is not moderate. There is no
Prophet Muhammad [the Prophet]. It is
are idolator-IX.28
difference between Islam and Islamic
an incumbent religious duty, established
*Forcing non-believers to pay tax-
fundamentalism: at most there is a differ-
in the Qur'an and in the Traditions as a IX.29
ence of degree but not of kind.
divine institution, and enjoined specially
*The Torment of Hell-XLIV.43-58
All the tenets of Islamic fundamental-
for the purpose of advancing Islam and
*All except Muslims/Jews/Christians/
ism are derived from the Qur'an, the
repelling evil from Muslims"[1].
Sabeans will go to hell-II.62, V.69
Sunna, and the Hadith - Islamic funda-
The world is divided into two spheres,
*Cast terror in the hearts, smite the mentalism is a totalitarian construct de-
Dar al-Islam and Dar al-Harb. The latter,
neck and cut fingertips of unbelievers-
rived by Muslim jurists from the funda-
the Land of Warfare, is a country belong-
VIII.12
mental and defining texts of Islam. The
ing to infidels, which has not been sub-
*Smite the neck of unbelievers-
fundamentalists, with greater logic and
dued by Islam. The Dar al-Harb becomes
XLVII.4
coherence than so-called moderate or
the Dar-al Islam, the Land of Islam, upon
*Severe Punishment for atheists-X.4; liberal Muslims, have made Islam the
the promulgation of the edicts of Islam. V.10; V.86
basis of a radical utopian ideology that
Thus the totalitarian nature of Islam is
*Severe Punishment for non-believers-
aims to replace capitalism and democracy
nowhere more apparent than in the con-
XXII.19-22; LXXII.23, XCVIII.6
as the reigning world system. Islamism
cept of Jihad, the Holy War, whose ulti-
*Punishing non-believers of Hereafter-
accounts for the anti-American hatred to
mate aim is to conquer the entire world XVII.10
be found in places far from the Arab-
and submit it to the one true faith, to the
*Punishing for rejecting faith-III.91
law of Allah. To Islam alone has been
(Jihad on page 7)

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VOLUME 4, ISS UE 10
INQUIRER
PAGE 7
(Jihad from page 6)
wish to impose on the whole world. Say-
bin Laden.
Israeli conflict, like Nigeria and Afghani-
yid Qutb, the very influential Egyptian
Few Muslims have shown themselves
stan, demonstrating that the Middle East Muslim thinker, said that "dominion capable of scrutinizing their sacred text
conflict cannot legitimately be used to should be reverted to Allah alone, namely
rationally. Indeed any criticism of their
explain this phenomenon called Islamism. to Islam, that holistic system He con-
religious tenets is taken as an insult to
A Palestinian involved in the WTC bomb-
ferred upon men. An all-out offensive, a
their faith, for which so many Muslims
ings would be seen as a martyr to the Pal-
jihad, should be waged against modernity
seem ready to kill (as in the Rushdie af-
estinian cause, but even more as a martyr
so that this moral rearmament could take
fair or the Taslima Nasreen affair). Mus-
to Islam.
place. The ultimate objective is to re-
lims seem to be unaware that the research
"Ah, but Islamic fundamentalism is like
establish the Kingdom of Allah upon of western scholars concerning the exis-
any other kind of fundamentalism, one earth..."[2]
tence of figures such as Abraham, Isaac
must not demonize it. It is the result of
It is surely time for moderate Muslims
and Joseph or the authorship of the Penta-
political, social grievances. It must be to stand up and be counted. I should like
teuch applies directly to their belief sys-
explained in terms of economics and not to see them do three things:
tem. Furthermore, it is surely totally irra-
religion," continue the apologists of Is-
1. All moderate Muslims should un-
tional to continue to believe t