Yesterday night, I heard about the truck in Nice. My 1st thought was a freak and tragic accident. The obvious alternative came to mind but I quickly dismissed that thought. It seemed too far fetched. This morning, the news stated that a domestic French Tunisian terrorist had murdered at least 84 people, including children, before he was killed by the police.
My mother (81) asked me (rhetorically) when this will stop. She then stated that “they have nothing and want us to have nothing”. I didn’t and do not agree with her analysis. In my view, terrorism is never about tangible stuff (eg, assets, money) but always about (intangible) ideas and beliefs. Only criminals care about assets and money. Also see my 15 March 2016 blog on global terrorism.
Radical Islam is rooted in 2 of the 7 Belief systems, being Politics and Religion. Unlike other terrorist groups, Daesh even behaves like a Multi National Corporation focused on cash flow and profit. Money, Politics and Religion are the 3 Belief systems that represent the Power domain.
The West claims that its values and way of living are threatened. In general, the West believes that its values and way of living are far superior over anything else. This claim more or less matches the opposing Knowledge domain (Philosophy, Science and the Truth) within the 7 Belief systems. Here is where the Knowledge and Power domain collide.
In general, Radical Islam and the West lack empathy for each other. The 7th and only Belief system that would bring empathy – Love – is outside the Knowledge and Power domain. The Power domain usually prevents people from access to Knowledge as the Power domain is well aware of the dangers of Knowledge. The Knowledge domain is typically naïve and even creates its future opponents (eg, enemies) by unlimited access to Knowledge.
Without empathy or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, terrorism will never die. Inequality, poverty, racism and unemployment may be great recruiting tools but terrorism only works when people believe in its Cause. The willingness to sacrifice your own life must always be for the Greater Good.
After each terrorist event, the West asks – and sometimes demands – that Muslims express empathy and also distance themselves from Radical Islam. I must admit that I have never even realised that this request is a one way street. We seldom express empathy over the huge number of terrorist attacks in Muslim countries. Somehow we may even feel that violence is part of their way of living. Who even knows – or cares – about the differences between Shia and Sunni Islam??
There is a saying that Knowledge equals (=) Power. This saying was quite helpful to finalise my concept of the 7 Belief Systems. It took me a long time to realise that Love is the 7th Belief system. I suppose that Love is blind for the Knowledge domain and the Power domain and does not take sides. The triangle Faith (Religion), Hope (Philosophy) and Love connects the Knowledge and the Power domain. Empathy – like Love – must be a two way street in order to be meaningful in Life.
Today my empathy is for the victims, their families, friends and loved ones.
The New Radicals – You Get What You Give (1998) – artists, lyrics, video, Wiki-1, Wiki-2
Championed by a soulless media misleading
People unaware they’re bleeding
No one with a brain is believing
It’s so sad you lost the meaning
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