Do you think extreme Christians are just as bad as extreme Islams?

Question

This was a topic on the View. Rosie O'donnel said that extreme christians are just as bad, while elizabeth disagrees.

Answer 1

Rosie O'Donnell is an idiot. She makes ignorant comments all the time. I don't like extreme Christians, but they do not routinely murder people for disagreeing with them. Occasionally one of them will blow up an abortion clinic or do something of that nature. But, they are never supported by mainstream Christians. Muslims; on the other hand, routinely throw their support behind radical Muslims who saw people's heads off on video. Mainstream Muslim leaders routinely issue Fatwahs granting permission to Muslims to commit horrific, terrorist acts. Recently, Osama Bin Laden was given permission by a Muslim cleric to kill up to 10 million "infidels" with a nuclear, biological, or chemical weapon. I don't remember any right-wing Christian fundamentalist leader granting permission to his/her parishioners to obtain NBC weapons and to use them on anyone.

As usual, Rosie has found a show with an audience just as ignorant on world issues as she is. She is a moron, and completely inconsequential to any legitimate discussion on political or world issues.

Added: I don't remember Christians standing in the street cheering when Jim Jones, the KKK, the Serbians, etc committed murderous acts. But, I do remember large groups of Muslims cheering, firing weapons into the air, etc when the events of September 11th happened.

Answer 2

If she feels that way then she has to conclude that extreme Rosie O'donnelism is just as bad.

Many of her opinions are far more extreme than any of my "Christian" opinions.

The danger of her comment, imo, is that it appears she wishes to put the two on the same playing field in a selfish effort to squelch the limited and fairly benevolent fears (gay marriage, abortion, nativity scenes in the public square, Under God in the pledge, etc.) she is focused on while ignoring the much more volitile fears created by extreme Islam (bombing innocents, threats to wipe nations off the planet, shooting nuns, killing school houses full of children, crashing planes into buildings, decapitating civilians, etc).

Why this is dangerous, imo, is because the vast majority of Christians, figure 1.7 billion of them, speak out strongly against the atrocities of Islamic fundementalism and neither commit nor condone, but actually speak out against, the few current acts of Christian fundementalism. Christians rarely glorify the violence of their faith's past. I wish the same could be said in regards to the majority of Muslims and the current and past acts of violence done in Allah's name. If Rosie had her way, she'd do away with a faith that inspires much of what is good and decent in the world today solely for her own selfish gain. Her fears, fed by her ignorance, her pride, and her prejudices, however, have blinded her from seeing who the enemy truly worth currently contesting is.

The Christian crusades and the Inquisition ended centuries ago. The Islamic one is at the globe's doorstep.

Answer 3

Extreme christians seem to bomb an abortion clinic periodically. However, If you compare worldwide and US bombings, damage, lives lost, I'd say that there are either many, many more extreme Muslims or they are worse.

Also, there are entire segments of of extreme muslims that think it's ok to cut off a woman's clxx. I know some extreme Christians that don't approve of wearing bathing suits in public, and only skirts for the ladies, but not too many that actually cut off body parts.

Answer 4

I think both are very bad. I hesistant to say fundamentalist Christians are in the exact same category as the fundamentalist Islamic factions because they are as of yet not so violent. I think that is because of the circumstances though. If you reversed political, economic, and living conditions between fundamentalist Muslims and Christians I suspect the Christians would find their own version of the jihaad.

Answer 5

Oh absolutley. All that "Loving your enemies" and "Praying for those who persecute you" is obviously morally equivalent to "honor killings" and "beheading infidels."

The problem with any discussion is terminology. Rosie O'Donnel is probably referring to the somewhat suppressive speech and actions of those who claim to be Christians but act in a manner that is contrary to the teachings of Christ.

Elizabeth is probably referring to those extremist "Muslims" who's speech and actions follow the most violent literal extremes of the Kohran.

Answer 6

I don't know about that, I have never seen any Amish running around blowing up cars or burning modern technology in order to impose their religion on us.

How are extreme Christians hurting anyone? Anyone who would say that sounds like she just can't tolerate a difference of opinion or belief.

---edit----
And why do people bring up the Crusades like it was completely unprovoked? The Crusades were an attempt to recapture land that was taken from the Byzantine Empire by force by the Muslims, and it was attempt to prevent further Muslim invasions of Christian lands in Europe. People talk about the Crusades like some hateful, intolerant Christians attacked some "peaceful" Muslims who were minding their own business -- rather than a desperate fight for freedom and survival. Get your history straight.

Answer 7

Rosie O'donnel is no Bible scholar. Alls she really knows how to do is spout her mouth off. She is an extremist.

Answer 8

I'm with Rosie. If the fundie Christians had their way, this country would look like Afghanistan did under the Taliban

Answer 9

Good or bad for who? Good for them? Nope.
Extreme anything, must and will always be dealt with by extreme measures.
If you value people wishing you didn't exist, than be an extremist.

Answer 10

yes
KKK
The Oklahoma City Bombing
The Genocide of Muslims in the Balkans
The Crusades
Jim Jones
etc.