Today's Face of Extremism

Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the man "allegedly" (we must use this term until one is officially convicted of an act) for the horrendous murders at Fort Hood, is today's example of the Extremist thought processes.  Apparently unable to reconcile his Military Duties with his personal beliefs he (again "allegedly") resorted to the extreme acts detailed across the media.  Unfortunately he is not alone in his choices nor are there any shortages of men and women who willingly follow these extreme paths.  

Many believe that this was a Jihadist act on his part and there are those who praise his actions as such.  But to quote the definition of Jihad as posted on the About website; "Jihad is the Arabic for what can be variously translated as "struggle" or "effort," or "to strive," "to exert," "to fight," depending on the context. In the West, the word is generally understood to mean "holy war," and the terms are given, inaccurately, exclusively military connotations."  While the term Jihad does refer to war in defense/support of Islam, it is (or should be) an internal struggle to overcome the spiritual limitations of man.  But even in the Muslim world the term sparks debate as to its actual meaning.

As with any thought process stripped of the grey tones Jihad can be used for purely spiritual (White) or militant (Black) pursuits.  Without the grey it is easily manipulated for evil acts to follow the agendas of those warped individuals who, regardless of society, religion or belief, seek only to empower their sick beliefs.  Extremism is no longer a means to an acceptable end.  It cannot be tolerated in todays society as it has been in the past when the wars were mainly tribal in nature.  The world is too small and the consequences of Weapons of Mass Destruction being utilized make the outcome far too extreme.

Those who would champion their Extreme Ideologies are legion and span human history.  Genocide, enslavement, rape and murder are but a few of the tools used to terrorize and suppress the targets of these perpetrators of madness.  Entire societies have been victims and/or perpetrators of these acts.  Many have lived on both sides, one day a victim and the next the suppressor justifying there own extreme actions as "Justice" for their previous tortures.  

We must grow beyond the extreme to embrace the fact that all actions have ramifications and only by embracing our differences can mankind find true peace.

An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind - Mahatma Gandhi