Americans have a difficult time understanding suicide bombers. Western societies have a long history of dislike toward suicide. We even have laws against it. That is not true of many cultures, especially those that are home to terrorist groups. I have often called suicide bombers a poor man’s cruise missiles. They have the same accuracy and effect but cause much more collateral damage and victims than our high tech missles. The intent of the bomber is to kill as many people as possible.
In an effort to understand why anyone would be a suicide bomber, some people have latched onto the idea that these bombers are convinced that when they get to heaven, they can make love to 72 virgins. I seriously doubt it. That thought assumes that these bombers are very stupid, and that simply is not true. I assure you that making love with a virgin is not all that great. Having done so with at least one virgin, I think I can safely say that given a choice, most males would prefer a more experienced woman. Believing this concept is the same as believing all Christians will get a harp and wings when they get to heaven. In the hands of some people that I know, the harp would be considered a deadly weapon. I believe that suicide bombings would continue, with or without the 72 virgins.
We American can’t understand the killing of innocent people, which are often the targets of suicide bombers. Terrorist groups do this to demonstrate that the government can’t protect the people. They do not view the victims as innocent people but as martyrs in a holy war. These martyrs are instantly accepted into heaven in the same manner that early Christian martyrs were instantly saved. In a sense, the bombers feel they are doing the victims a big favor. Of course, the victims do have to believe in order to be saved. The non-believer victims instantly go to hell to receive their just fate. Therefore, according to the terrorists, there are no real victims.
Now let’s consider the bombers. In many cases, they come from poor families. Many terrorist organizations promise to take care of the families of the bombers. The bombers sacrifice themselves for the cause, but more importantly, for the good of their families. What is so hard to understand? Many Americans would consider suicide if they knew their families would benefit from it. In fact, some people who commit suicide feel that their families and the world will be better off
without them.
I am afraid that suicide bombers are going to be around for a long time.
In an effort to understand why anyone would be a suicide bomber, some people have latched onto the idea that these bombers are convinced that when they get to heaven, they can make love to 72 virgins. I seriously doubt it. That thought assumes that these bombers are very stupid, and that simply is not true. I assure you that making love with a virgin is not all that great. Having done so with at least one virgin, I think I can safely say that given a choice, most males would prefer a more experienced woman. Believing this concept is the same as believing all Christians will get a harp and wings when they get to heaven. In the hands of some people that I know, the harp would be considered a deadly weapon. I believe that suicide bombings would continue, with or without the 72 virgins.
We American can’t understand the killing of innocent people, which are often the targets of suicide bombers. Terrorist groups do this to demonstrate that the government can’t protect the people. They do not view the victims as innocent people but as martyrs in a holy war. These martyrs are instantly accepted into heaven in the same manner that early Christian martyrs were instantly saved. In a sense, the bombers feel they are doing the victims a big favor. Of course, the victims do have to believe in order to be saved. The non-believer victims instantly go to hell to receive their just fate. Therefore, according to the terrorists, there are no real victims.
Now let’s consider the bombers. In many cases, they come from poor families. Many terrorist organizations promise to take care of the families of the bombers. The bombers sacrifice themselves for the cause, but more importantly, for the good of their families. What is so hard to understand? Many Americans would consider suicide if they knew their families would benefit from it. In fact, some people who commit suicide feel that their families and the world will be better off
without them.
I am afraid that suicide bombers are going to be around for a long time.
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