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Christian Terrorism
OK, so maybe this is more to do with politics than psychology, but I think there is a connection. I heard this report on the radio yesterday morning and it's been on my mind ever since. I think an understanding of psychology is necessary to understand the thought process over why more people don't seem to think like this. I thought others might appreciate it as much as I did, so I'm putting it up. Please share your comments.
ERIC RUDOLPH AND CHRISTIAN TERRORISM
The phrase you never hear.
Here's a sampling of headlines about Eric Rudolph - who got life for a 1998 abortion clinic bombing: Washington Post: "Unrepentant Rudolph Gets Life Sentence." New York Times "A Remorseless Rudolph Gets Life Sentence." USA Today: "Rudolph Sentenced To Life Term for Clinic Bombing."
Even though Eric Rudolph claimed to be on a sacred mission, even though he grew up Christian, I found only ONE published news article that used the phrase "Christian Terrorist" - it was in the Danville Advocate, and the phrase was in quotes.
So I asked listeners why, when we characterize so many Islamic terrorists by their religion, we wouldn't use the phrase "Christian Terrorist" to describe Eric Rudolph:
Here's what Larry said:
SOT; LARRY "Of all the. terror that's been conducted in the last 10-15 years, what percentage of it is conducted by people of Islamic background?"
Good question. But then you ALSO have to ask, what percentage of it is conducted by people who think they're fighting a legitimate war of resistance - and who would fight that war regardless of their religion?
Paul called up to question Rudolph's Christian credentials:
SOT;PAUL: "This guy has taken such a departure from Christianity."
But then most Muslims would tell you al Qaeda has taken a similar departure from Islam.
And then there was Chad, who says the difference is in the teaching:
SOT: CHAD: As an organized religion, whether it's a small percentage or not, you can find religious centers that are Muslim that are pro-terrorist. when you can't say the same about Christianity."
Except. you can. There's Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, the Aryan Nations movement, the KKK, and the Christian Identity movement, which Rudolph's family belonged to.
And on a web site maintained by the Army of God, you'll find a commentary by anti-gay crusader Chuck Spingola, titled "Thanks Be To God and the Christian Terrorist."
So why wasn't that label used for Eric Rudolph? Maybe journalists know that he no more represents mainstream Christianity than - well, than al-Qaeda represents mainstream Islam.
The Osgood File. Dave Ross. On the CBS Radio Network
The Osgood File. July 19, 2005
ERIC RUDOLPH AND CHRISTIAN TERRORISM
The phrase you never hear.
Here's a sampling of headlines about Eric Rudolph - who got life for a 1998 abortion clinic bombing: Washington Post: "Unrepentant Rudolph Gets Life Sentence." New York Times "A Remorseless Rudolph Gets Life Sentence." USA Today: "Rudolph Sentenced To Life Term for Clinic Bombing."
Even though Eric Rudolph claimed to be on a sacred mission, even though he grew up Christian, I found only ONE published news article that used the phrase "Christian Terrorist" - it was in the Danville Advocate, and the phrase was in quotes.
So I asked listeners why, when we characterize so many Islamic terrorists by their religion, we wouldn't use the phrase "Christian Terrorist" to describe Eric Rudolph:
Here's what Larry said:
SOT; LARRY "Of all the. terror that's been conducted in the last 10-15 years, what percentage of it is conducted by people of Islamic background?"
Good question. But then you ALSO have to ask, what percentage of it is conducted by people who think they're fighting a legitimate war of resistance - and who would fight that war regardless of their religion?
Paul called up to question Rudolph's Christian credentials:
SOT;PAUL: "This guy has taken such a departure from Christianity."
But then most Muslims would tell you al Qaeda has taken a similar departure from Islam.
And then there was Chad, who says the difference is in the teaching:
SOT: CHAD: As an organized religion, whether it's a small percentage or not, you can find religious centers that are Muslim that are pro-terrorist. when you can't say the same about Christianity."
Except. you can. There's Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church, the Aryan Nations movement, the KKK, and the Christian Identity movement, which Rudolph's family belonged to.
And on a web site maintained by the Army of God, you'll find a commentary by anti-gay crusader Chuck Spingola, titled "Thanks Be To God and the Christian Terrorist."
So why wasn't that label used for Eric Rudolph? Maybe journalists know that he no more represents mainstream Christianity than - well, than al-Qaeda represents mainstream Islam.
The Osgood File. Dave Ross. On the CBS Radio Network
The Osgood File. July 19, 2005
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