The jihadist group has oil revenues, arms and organization, controls vast stretches of Syria and Iraq and aspires to statehood.

New York Times
Sept. 16, 2014


http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...sis-works.html

They are the best armed terrorist group to date. Having taken the hardware from the retreating Iraqi army and purchased military hardware with their oil revenues. They have successfully waged conventional warfare in Syria and Iraq and waged terror bombing campaigns (Bagdad) when the desired territory is out of their reach. Well but Timothy.

I believe that it's all about the oil/money/power. It doesn't have anything to do with actual "beliefs". They're using religion as a weapon, a tool to cause fear. This is why many people are against it. It's used as a weapon to destroy. What's really sad is watching people fall for this and begin to argue amongst themselves over beliefs. It only makes them (ISIS) stronger when they do this.

A country which has freedom of religion is a big threat to them because it's more powerful. Their leaders aren't going to tell them it's about oil, their beliefs are what make them feel entitled to do this. *as Brinktk stated before on another thread.

They use this freedom as a weapon by hiding behind religion as the reason for hate, and it's the quickest way to get a response because of the fear it causes.
__________________

Originally Posted by Sara

I believe that it's all about the oil/money/power. It doesn't have anything to do with actual "beliefs". They're using religion as a weapon, a tool to cause fear. This is why many people are against it. It's used as a weapon to destroy. What's really sad is watching people fall for this and begin to argue amongst themselves over beliefs. It only makes them (ISIS) stronger when they do this.

A country which has freedom of religion is a big threat to them because it's more powerful. Their leaders aren't going to tell them it's about oil, their beliefs are what make them feel entitled to do this. *as Brinktk stated before on another thread.

They use this freedom as a weapon by hiding behind religion as the reason for hate, and it's the quickest way to get a response because of the fear it causes.
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Sarah,

I do like much of what you have to say. However, I am hard pressed to believe that it has nothing to do with 'beliefs.' I have been (or tried to be) an apologist for the religion of Islam for years. Unfortunately, little has come out of taking such a position. The number of Muslims (not to offend any Muslim members) that do want the resurgence/creation of an Islamic Caliphate is extraordinary. They are also perhaps the most militaristic-minded group of people I have ever met (talked to many individuals from Pakistan in the past via social media groups). These people constitute a number far higher than those extremists actively taking part in attempting to form an Islamic State overtly.

JOC - most definitely. This seems to be the strongest extremist movement to date. I could not agree more. It'll be one hell of a bloody mess - one in which no simple rational solution comes to mind.

Originally Posted by Sara

I believe that it's all about the oil/money/power. It doesn't have anything to do with actual "beliefs". They're using religion as a weapon, a tool to cause fear. This is why many people are against it. It's used as a weapon to destroy. What's really sad is watching people fall for this and begin to argue amongst themselves over beliefs. It only makes them (ISIS) stronger when they do this.

A country which has freedom of religion is a big threat to them because it's more powerful. Their leaders aren't going to tell them it's about oil, their beliefs are what make them feel entitled to do this. *as Brinktk stated before on another thread.

They use this freedom as a weapon by hiding behind religion as the reason for hate, and it's the quickest way to get a response because of the fear it causes.
__________________

You don't use religion as a weapon. You either believe in it or not. Or are you saying that Islam is not a religion but an ideology?

ISIS practises the muslim religion just as violent as Muhammad did.

the pity thing they recruit young men that found themselves without futur no job nothing
they lower them with money and fill there head with wrong translation of islam and promising them with Houri in the afterlife so they go

Originally Posted by VDKMS

You don't use religion as a weapon. You either believe in it or not. Or are you saying that Islam is not a religion but an ideology?

ISIS practises the muslim religion just as violent as Muhammad did.

you are wrong my friend Muhammad peace be upon him he don't use violent way
but he resisted the Idolaters ( The Quraysh tribe and its allies )
even in the opening of makkah the muslim army didn't kill anyone

Originally Posted by VDKMS

You don't use religion as a weapon. You either believe in it or not. Or are you saying that Islam is not a religion but an ideology?

ISIS practises the muslim religion just as violent as Muhammad did.

This is true for some, but others hide behind a religion and use it as an excuse to murder others of a different religion "beliefs". I'm not familiar with Islam, and like many others, only see what's advertised on the news. Many people will hate a certain religion after the actions of hatred performed by ISIS in the name of Islam. This is what they desire. It's all about fear of the unknown. They desire to control with fear and succeed when we begin to fight in the name of religion. When there are people who call themselves Muslim (or any other) follow certain practices and murder innocent people, those innocents within the group "religion" will suffer and begin to defend it. (religion, beliefs, rituals, traditions).........etc...

Originally Posted by Sara

This is true for some, but others hide behind a religion and use it as an excuse to murder others of a different religion "beliefs". I'm not familiar with Islam, and like many others, only see what's advertised on the news. Many people will hate a certain religion after the actions of hatred performed by ISIS in the name of Islam. This is what they desire. It's all about fear of the unknown. They desire to control with fear and succeed when we begin to fight in the name of religion. When there are people who call themselves Muslim (or any other) follow certain practices and murder innocent people, those innocents within the group "religion" will suffer and begin to defend it. (religion, beliefs, rituals, traditions).........etc...

yeah exactly we are now defending islam image ( a religion of peace ) in the world but it's a hard job

Does / do the U.S. need to be involved in this ? A wise person would say let them kill one another over there as long as it stays over there , comes here deal with it here , this Country has its hands full trying to keep the illegals off our backs . 68% of Americans don't / do not want to be involved , the same percentage say they would not vote for Hillary or Romney they want new blood , the GOP has a 51% chance of regaining the Senate and no one cares , this Country has had it , time to re-group .