Seed

[poliphilo]

Fanatics like to be persecuted. It confirms them in their sense of their own importance, gives them publicity and draws disciples. And it proves what they were saying all along about the state being unjust and wicked.

The early Christians- who were fanatics of Al-Qaida-like intensity (the accusation that they were behind the burning of Rome in AD 64 is entirely plausible) courted persecution. Tertullian, who was as keen on martyrdom as any Islamicist, spelled out the logic, "The oftener we are mown down by you, the more in number we grow; the blood of Christians is seed."

He was right.

The Blair government is responding to the current terror campaign by curtailing the human rights of Muslim extremists. It's a populist move, guaranteed to win the favour of the right-wing papers. As a liberal I'm against it. I think our respect for human rights is what makes us better than our enemy. But more than that, I think it's dumb.

Comments

A view from the "right"...

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I would respectfully disagree with your assessment "curtailing the human rights of Muslim extremists." I don't think the course of action is dumb; I think it's salutary and I would argue with the characterization of the behaviors being targeted as "human rights". Inciting the violent and purposeful destruction of innocent civilians does not strike me as a fundamental human right.

Re: A view from the "right"...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

My argument is that silencing them is counterproductive. Censoring the public expression of certain views doesn't stop them being expressed. It just drives the subversives underground, where it's harder for the security services to monitor them.

Re: A view from the "right"...

[lblanchard.livejournal.com]

I take your point, although I'm not certain I agree with it.

Re: A view from the "right"...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. :)