[Thor]

Originally Posted by Daradon

We can't take the high road without action. Yes it's nice we have this knowledge now. But if you have knowledge and opportunity, and don't use it, you really aren't any better are you? You're just indifferent. And that goes double when you can't even see you've made those mistakes too. And could make them again if we allowed ourselves to slip back into a dark age (Which looks like a lot of people want, given the rise of evangeicalism). 'But for the grace of god, so go we. Then the hypocracy kicks in.

At least that's the way I see it. I roundly condemn the actions, and have mentioned many times over other threads that we need to be strickter with countries like Saudi or even cease to be their ally. And that's a point I'm trying to make. We're not innocent in this global tragedy. And we're certainly not better because we have a better life in a nicer country at a particular time of history. We're just lucky.

I do agree, most people barely even notice whats going on in that part of the world, some will hear this story and be upset and just forget about it. Its human nature, thankfully theres a percentage of activists who do speak out. I hold back posting much more on the middle east here because a lot of people don't like these topics, especially when religion is involved and too much info can overwhelm people who might otherwise consider taking some action.

If the US could try a 'regime change' on Iraq to 'liberate the people.' why not do that to Saudi too? Not saying that's the answer here, in fact not as all, but at least it's effort. They could put sanctions on them too, or a whole host of things to stick up for human rights.

Until we rid ourselves of the need for oil we won't have anyone moving to condemn or sanction the Kingdom, nor is really any west nation willing to be perceived as anti-islam for fear of retaliation, its the Danish cartoons syndrome.

Of course we all know why that doesn't happen. And that's the problem. People don't really care. They get involed on a message board and make themselves feel better by saying all the 'right things' and forget about it until the next headline comes.

If you really want to think you are better, e-mail your representatives about human rights and the counties we let get away with them.

Heck, start in your own backyard. E-mail the reps about the growing posibility we could have Sharia law here.

Well I think its better to at least inform people, even if they don't act. The more people are made aware of this growing problem the better, because there are a bunch of people who do actively get involved, emailing our MPs, our UN reps, etc..

Like for example UN watch does a good job monitoring an organization that doesn't get proper mainstream media coverage, especially on the anti defamation resolution the Arab nations are trying to push through which would make criticism of Islam (and all religions) illegal. Theres lots of stories we don't hear enough about, and unfortunately you have to seek it out to really see whats going on.

Far as I'm concerend step 1 is/should be awareness raising to the public, because any activism that happens in the future only succeeds IF the majority of the people are aware and informed of what is truly happening.

Lest we become the UK and have to be constantly battling attempts by morons to allow Sharia law, have polititians who eagerly want to create more faith based schools and apologetics who do everything in their power to appease to Islam.

Thats what worries me, the slow and steady growth of Islam in western societies, just as any French person how bad its becoming there with the ever growing minority gaining steady power there.