Tony Blair has reignited debate about the west's response to terrorism with a call on governments to recognise that religious extremism has become the biggest source of conflict around the world.
Referring to wars and violent confrontations from Syria to Nigeria and the Philippines, Blair, writing in the Observer, argues that "there is one thing self-evidently in common: the acts of terrorism are perpetrated by people motivated by an abuse of religion. It is a perversion of faith."
Identifying religious extremism as an ever more dangerous phenomenon, the spread of which is easier in an online age, he says: "The battles of this century are less likely to be the product of extreme political ideology, like those of the 20th century – but they could easily be fought around the questions of cultural or religious difference."
The former prime minister, who led the country into the Iraq conflict in 2003, appears to acknowledge that previous aspirations to export liberal democracy focused too much on political objectives.
But sources close to Blair insist that he is not in any way indulging in a mea culpa over past interventions by the west, including in Iraq. In the future, he writes, "the purpose should be to change the policy of governments; to start to treat this issue of religious extremism as an issue that is about religion as well as politics, to go to the roots of where a false view of religion is being promulgated and to make it a major item on the agenda of world leaders to combine effectively to combat it. This is a struggle that is only just beginning."
The promotion of religious tolerance, both within and between countries, states Blair, will be key to fostering peaceful outcomes around the world in the 21st century.
Islam is using religion as a cover for their political ideology.....it is all about world domination and the extremist will do everything in their power to exercise thier gain including terrorism creating a miaserable life for many people around the world.
http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/index.php/heraldsun/comments/dont_mention_the_war3/
Debate: Atheist vs Muslim (Christopher Hitchens vs Tariq Ramadan)
Extremist religion is at root of 21st-century wars, says Tony Blair
Former prime minister will reignite debate on Iraq as he calls on governments to switch tactics
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/25/extremist-religion-wars-tony-blair
Looks like the Salvos have been just as bad as the Catholic religion in their abuse of innocent little kids, including covering up their crimes and taking no action against known offenders.
At least one of the vermin who carried out the abuse is still an officer in the Salvos.
I’ll never donate money to the Salvos again. I know they do a lot of good work too, as do the Catholics. But if an organization allows its highest members to rape and beat little kids while hiding behind the cloak of religion, then its lost my support.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/salv...em-royal-commission-hears-20140128-31k5u.html
Bunyip and Bellenuit, which charities are safe to donate to?
I'm not interested to send money to the Middle East or Africa so that rules out international organizations.
Bunyip and Bellenuit, which charities are safe to donate to?
I'm not interested to send money to the Middle East or Africa so that rules out international organizations.
Bellenuit and DB, thanks for your suggestions..
Agree. I don't understand the perspective of people who have now resolved never to donate to either St Vinnies or the Salvos because of the perverted and dreadful actions in the past.The Salvos and Vinies should be good. The vast majority of Salvos do great work and must be quite devastated by what has come out of the inquiry but I'm not going to condemn the entire organisation because of the actions of a few rotten members.
Bunyip and Bellenuit, which charities are safe to donate to?
I'm not interested to send money to the Middle East or Africa so that rules out international organizations.
Goes like this does it? ...
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?