Your use of a declarative statement does not automatically make the introduction of your counter-example nullifying.
While I may think intentionally setting yourself on fire is "radical," culturally it may not be, I don't know, and I'm pretty sure you don't either (see above). Of course the argument could then be made that religious groups which kill non-believers in the name of their own deity are considered moderates in their society - the distinction I was attempting to make was harming others (you don't hear a lot about droves of Muslims offing themselves quietly and without fanfare, innit?) Were Heaven's Gate members considered terrorists? They were not. Why?
Again, if it helps, I can change the word I used to something else ("violent", for example) or at least provide a modifier, e.g. "religious extremists." But I would like to do this with your full acknowledgement - i.e. I don't want to change the word then you have you attack that word (anti-capitalists assert that capitalism is "violent" for example, and that argument would have no place here).
Regardless of your decision, and while I always enjoy a lively exchange with you, please try to refrain from making sweeping statements and passing them off as fact. That being said, thank you for bringing this up! Something new to think about and consider.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ninetydegrees
(no subject)
While I may think intentionally setting yourself on fire is "radical," culturally it may not be, I don't know, and I'm pretty sure you don't either (see above). Of course the argument could then be made that religious groups which kill non-believers in the name of their own deity are considered moderates in their society - the distinction I was attempting to make was harming others (you don't hear a lot about droves of Muslims offing themselves quietly and without fanfare, innit?) Were Heaven's Gate members considered terrorists? They were not. Why?
Again, if it helps, I can change the word I used to something else ("violent", for example) or at least provide a modifier, e.g. "religious extremists." But I would like to do this with your full acknowledgement - i.e. I don't want to change the word then you have you attack that word (anti-capitalists assert that capitalism is "violent" for example, and that argument would have no place here).
Regardless of your decision, and while I always enjoy a lively exchange with you, please try to refrain from making sweeping statements and passing them off as fact. That being said, thank you for bringing this up! Something new to think about and consider.