the outcome of the election

[Lord_Olf]

Hail eppie,

Well they got the guy who did it, more or less directly, he is a muslim extremist, had a higher than average education and had a dutch and a marokan passport.

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They get influenced by religious leaders who tell them that the europeans disrespect islam etc.etc.
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If they get told to chose a side, they chose the side of the islam, and if they are also told that they other side is the enemy crazy things can happen.
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I was pretty sure they got him, thanks for that piece of information.

On the other part: That is more or less my point. Why is it so easy to talk people into doing something that is "wrong" by just saying "It's the will of Allah"?

Granted, this may well be comprehendable in a country where there is a lot of illiteracy and a strict regime in control of the media. Throw in economic problems, and I sure see your point.

But Theo van Goghs murderer was, as you say, someone with a higher education living in a country with a free press, living a relatively nice life (I assume, but I think it's fair to think so). And somehow, I just don't buy the "one dysfunctional being" any more lately, seeing that this guy got more or less open support from his peers. You're right, it's "just" one murder, "just" one person dead (better than, say, bombing his paper's office rooms and killing a lot more), but why the heck is it that people so readily step over a line? Why is it so easy to motivate a person into doing this, just saying "europeans disrespect islam"?

I mean, it's not like saying "Europeans are about to round up Moslems and put them in concentration camps", it's probably not even disrespect, just criticism. If one critizes me, and I don't see the point, I just let him or her carry on talking and go away, I wouldn't start about hurting or killing that person. But among too many people of islamic faith, that seems to be an acceptable response, and that is what I just don't get. It sometimes seems to me like a return to the crusades, fighting for your religion and against another, but maybe I just don't get it because I'm not a religious person.

And, sorry for the thread hijacking...

Take care,

Lord_Olf