An apology. A concern. And an invitation.

[Syzygy321]

42. Addendum: I posted heavily on a thread

about an honor killing - because that's a subject close to my heart. As always, the cments were all "oh how can those men do that? Shocking! So unlike us Americans and any civilized place!"

And, yeah, honor killings are very much an outgrowth of mainstream Muslim teachings. But the other point is - we could all be like that. Do you see, above?

It feels so good to stone an adulteress, or a lion-killing dentist. "Hey, did ya hear about Farkhina? Well, the imam said she burned a Quran! Let's beat her to death and set her on fire!".

This is what people do. It's how people are. And it's why I was driven, in my twenties, from the extreme liberal side of politics to the moderate center.

It's because the far sides are where the thoughtless mobs are. The people who feed off demonizing an imaginary Other, to reassure themselves of their own perfection and (in the case of religion and politics) their moral superiority.

The extremes draw those people who have a psychological need to hate The Other Guy so they can feel perfect.

Me: I figured out a long time ago that I am not perfect, so being moderate suits me fine. ( I still don't like being unexpectedly attacked, though.)

Thanks for the rousing DU welcome, people. Enjoy your stay.