Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality Topics: Christianity, Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Terrorism, United States Of America Views: 4451
4451
Osama bin Rudolph?
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| The scene of a bloody brick walkway on July 27, 1996 near the scene of the explosion in Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. |
After seven long years on the lam, Eric Robert Rudolph has finally been captured for his purported lead role in the Centennial Olympic Park bombing at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, a bombing of a health clinic in Birmingham, Alabama and other acts of terror attributed to him. As the Justice Department now searches for credible evidence linking him to these acts of terror, information is now beginning to spring forth about Rudolph's ties to Christian "terrorist" groups.
According to a recent Washington Post article, federal investigators believe Rudolph has had a long association with the radical Christian Identity movement, which asserts that North European whites are the direct descendants of the lost tribes of Israel, God's chosen people. Some investigators also think he may have written letters that claimed responsibility for a gay nightclub and abortion clinic bombings on behalf of the Army of God, a violent offshoot of Christian Identity.
According to Professor Michael Barkun, author of "Religion and the Racist Right: The Origins of the Christian Identity Movement", the apocalyptic and ethnocentric philosophy Rudolph adhered to "is practiced by over 50,000 people in the United States alone; [and] is prevalent among many right wing extremist groups and has been called the 'glue' of the racist right." Many of these groups view the Jewish people as descendants of Satan and African-Americans as descendants of apes. Followers tend to be involved in political movements opposing gun control, equal rights to gays and lesbians, and militia movements. Many of these militant apocalyptic groups are not even waiting for the "End Time" to occur. As published in "The Watchman", a publication of the Pennsylvania Christian Posse Comitatus quite proudly extols, "We are going to build the Kingdom of our God on this continent if we have to turn it into a Bosnia first!" A simple Internet search of the term "Christian Identity" will produce a startling number of offshoot groups proselytizing a similar racist and militaristic ideology.
Although the vast majority of Muslims in the world would categorically detach the tenets of Islam from the acts of Osama bin Laden, it seems as though many within the government and media today are incapable of making that distinction. As unfortunate as it may seem, the reality is that Eric Rudolph used his religious beliefs as the fiery springboard for his horrific acts. In essence, Rudolph's actions were just as "Christian" as Osama bin Laden's actions were "Muslim". Furthermore, just as there are those in the world who may support bin Laden's actions against America, so too are there those within our own borders who encourage Christian militants like Rudolph.
If indeed this is truly a "war on terror" and not on Islam, President Bush and others within his administration must waste no time in condemnation and distancing themselves from Rudolph's ideology. For if they fail to adequately do so, the clear message that it sends to Muslims in America and worldwide is that "terrorism" shall only be applied to those with olive skin.
Arsalan Tariq Iftikhar serves as Midwest Communications Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Category: Americas, Faith & Spirituality
Topics: Christianity, Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Terrorism, United States Of America
Views: 4451
Topics: Christianity, Federal Bureau Of Investigation, Terrorism, United States Of America
Views: 4451
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Older Comments:
SHETTIMA SHANI FROM NIGERIA said:
afterall its increasingly becoming public , that the exagerated terrorist inclination are also amongst the christians
2003-07-01
RICHARD FROM USA said:
For the most part I agree with this article, but I do think that I have heard the Bush Administration denounce any terrorist group reguardless of religious or racial identity. They have to do that though. They can't afford to look as racist as they really are.
2003-06-27
SR.D. ALBIZU FROM USA said:
Our own HOUSE is dirty what are we doing abroad trying to fight what Terrorism? Is sad to see how it goes when you are not WHITE.
2003-06-18
ERIC FROM USA said:
My thoughts exactly, as an African-american Muslim.
2003-06-18
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
As-Salaam-U-Alaiykum,
For this guy pretending to be 'Muhammad Atta' and talking about how he's enjoying it up in paradise...on the contrary, your perception is soo misconstrued, if only you knew more about Islam.
Did CNN and FOX NEWS inform the people of hte United States that 10 % of hte people in the WTC were Muslims? Did you also know that if a Muslim kills another Muslim, he/she takes a state of kuffar (dibelief), and becomes a kaffir (non-believer). This is what the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said...so for this guy to come on here pretending to be Muhammad Atta, whoever he is, talking about how he's in Heaven...don't you know you have to go to the grave first...if you were Muslim, you'd know that...secondly, those who claim that they sacrified themselves for God, this is what will become of them...
the Prophet has said the first three people to be cast into the fire will be one who claimed he died for the sake of Allah (SWT), one who claimed that he gave charity in the name of Allah (SWT), and a scholar who will claim before Allah that he taught Islam and learned Islam for the sake of Allah. No, Allah (SWA)will respond to all of them individually, and tell them individually the he is a liar, that he did those things not for Allah, but so that the people will know that he did those things....so the next time you come on this website, and pretend to be Muhammad Atta and talk about sitting up in heaven, you're digging yourself a grave. Save yourself from the fire and don't talk in such a manner, BarakatAllah
Wa-Salaam-U-Alaiykum.
For this guy pretending to be 'Muhammad Atta' and talking about how he's enjoying it up in paradise...on the contrary, your perception is soo misconstrued, if only you knew more about Islam.
Did CNN and FOX NEWS inform the people of hte United States that 10 % of hte people in the WTC were Muslims? Did you also know that if a Muslim kills another Muslim, he/she takes a state of kuffar (dibelief), and becomes a kaffir (non-believer). This is what the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said...so for this guy to come on here pretending to be Muhammad Atta, whoever he is, talking about how he's in Heaven...don't you know you have to go to the grave first...if you were Muslim, you'd know that...secondly, those who claim that they sacrified themselves for God, this is what will become of them...
the Prophet has said the first three people to be cast into the fire will be one who claimed he died for the sake of Allah (SWT), one who claimed that he gave charity in the name of Allah (SWT), and a scholar who will claim before Allah that he taught Islam and learned Islam for the sake of Allah. No, Allah (SWA)will respond to all of them individually, and tell them individually the he is a liar, that he did those things not for Allah, but so that the people will know that he did those things....so the next time you come on this website, and pretend to be Muhammad Atta and talk about sitting up in heaven, you're digging yourself a grave. Save yourself from the fire and don't talk in such a manner, BarakatAllah
Wa-Salaam-U-Alaiykum.
2003-06-18
KING FROM UK said:
I agree with you in principle Patty, but it IS a fact that terrorism is condoned and encouraged in US, just ask any Israeli, that is if it serves the interests of various groups. Despite Bush's empty rhetoric, he did deceive the public and launch an evil against the people of Iraq.
I have not heard him denounce any so called Christian leader like Falwell and Robertson.
I think actions speak far louder than words at this point.
I have not heard him denounce any so called Christian leader like Falwell and Robertson.
I think actions speak far louder than words at this point.
2003-06-18
PATTY FROM USA said:
I have seen several news reports where President Bush has denounced ALL terrorist groups, no matter what race, religion, culture, etc. The majority of Americans are not prejudiced toward muslims.....we are very much against TERRORISTS. Mr. Bush and his staff have made numerous comments concerning terrorist activities of certain "Christian" groups, which are NOT Christian at all. Eric should be dealt with swiftly and severely. And so should any other individuals who chose to harm innocent people who don't share their beliefs. Punishment for Terrorists should know no boundaries...and the punishment should be the same for all who participate in it.
2003-06-17
AL TIKRITI FROM IRUN said:
'Muhammad Atta'. Nice bit of trolling there. The sad thing is that there are actually people who will read this drivel and agree with it.
I thought Iviews was trying to clean up this kind of crap??? This isn't 'satirical', 'educational', or 'ironic', it's obscene and offensive.
For anyone out there who agrees with this; if the only way to 'sow the seeds of Islam' is to kill 3,000 people, then your version of Islam is weak and inferior to mine. Read and understand the Quaran, and see that I am right.
I thought Iviews was trying to clean up this kind of crap??? This isn't 'satirical', 'educational', or 'ironic', it's obscene and offensive.
For anyone out there who agrees with this; if the only way to 'sow the seeds of Islam' is to kill 3,000 people, then your version of Islam is weak and inferior to mine. Read and understand the Quaran, and see that I am right.
2003-06-16
KING FROM UK said:
Michael Moore was dead on in "Stupid White men." Racial profiling is a part of American culture, and it will not change because most Americans simply dont care. Not surprisingly, this section of the American populace also tends not to vote, have any working knowledge of history and are fairly illiterate in matters of geography, politics and social justice.
If polls are to be believed, Americans don't care whether WMDs are found or not in Iraq, this is damning evidence that most of them prefer to be Walmart grazing sheep. Any wonder that the country is run by an allience of Judeo-Christo fanatics hellbent on jumpstarting Armageddon ? Truly sad.
If polls are to be believed, Americans don't care whether WMDs are found or not in Iraq, this is damning evidence that most of them prefer to be Walmart grazing sheep. Any wonder that the country is run by an allience of Judeo-Christo fanatics hellbent on jumpstarting Armageddon ? Truly sad.
2003-06-16
YANTO FROM CANADA said:
This typical plaintiff article showing how weak Muslim community is.
I am Muslim but ashamed to witness that Muslim community are paying too much attention and respect to the american. Who cares what they (US) say and and decide.
We are huge (over a billion) but weak and useless because we are affraid of U.S. more than Alloh and Rasul.
We abandoned Al Qur'an and preferred CNN instead... we use their language and their aqidah
You (Muslim), you suppose to be the kalifah of Alloh to spread rohmatanlilalamin. not being a chicken and blaming others for not being fair....don't be such a jerk... wake up and do something...
I am Muslim but ashamed to witness that Muslim community are paying too much attention and respect to the american. Who cares what they (US) say and and decide.
We are huge (over a billion) but weak and useless because we are affraid of U.S. more than Alloh and Rasul.
We abandoned Al Qur'an and preferred CNN instead... we use their language and their aqidah
You (Muslim), you suppose to be the kalifah of Alloh to spread rohmatanlilalamin. not being a chicken and blaming others for not being fair....don't be such a jerk... wake up and do something...
2003-06-16
MARLENE FROM USA said:
RE: Previous Post-I would be much more impressed with iviews "search for the truth" if in addition to this article there was was another saying the media does call Rudolph a terrorist. Perhaps one saying the Bush administration and the justice department is going to prosecute this guy so the war on terrorism isn't just for olive skinned guys. Maybe one about the anthrax terrorism scare where the main suspect is white. Maybe one about Tim McVeigh or still prosecuting Nichols.
Anything except the old fuel the fire routine.
Anything except the old fuel the fire routine.
2003-06-16
MARLENE FROM USA said:
I agree that the media could do a better job about Islam, but the truth is there for anyone with half a brain. The obvious bias of any given media, print or TV, is pretty apparent by anyone simply by switching the channel. That's OK because that's our system of free speech, and Americans know this. It's better than being fed only one view which is what happened 20 years ago.
I don't agree with the author's implication that the Bush administration supports the likes of Rudolph or that they define terroist as anyone with olive skin. To infer that the government, Bush, Christians, the right etc. supports Rudolph's brand of extremist views does us all a disservice.
I don't agree with the author's implication that the Bush administration supports the likes of Rudolph or that they define terroist as anyone with olive skin. To infer that the government, Bush, Christians, the right etc. supports Rudolph's brand of extremist views does us all a disservice.
2003-06-16
MUHAMMAD ATTA FROM PALESTINE, TEXAS said:
Rudolph, Pat Robertson, Billy Graham and the American emotinal cowboy are the REAL TERRORISTS and the real enemies of God. Currently, I am in heaven with my friends.
What I did on 9-1-1 (although very gruesome and inhumane) can be justified.
The United States of America was founded on racism and hatred from day one. Look what they did to the Native Americans, the blacks and Japanese. The U.S. killed 500,000 innocent Japanese in WWII, gave HITLER the ideas of eugenics(better race), exposed millions to radioactive materials in the pacific and Atlantic islands in the name of pursuing weapons of mass destruction. I can go on and on...
What I did (although unimaginable and spectacular) was simply to stop of the spread of hatred and racism by the U.S. all over the world (in the name of spreading peace).
Muslims in America do not need to worry about anything. I introduced Islam to America with a BIG BANG. They have started learning and converting to Islam faster than Anthrax bacteria can convert from anti-lethal to lethal state.
Hence, I am very optimistic. The racism in U.S. will end soon. Remember it took Malcolm X a journey to MECCA to stop hating the whites. The U.S. needs Islam to save itself from the path of destruction and racism. That's why I sown the seeds of Islam.
Just relax. I am relaxing in heaven too. I did not sacrifice my life to get 70 virgins. No virgins exists. I knew that very well on Earth during my ephemeral stay. I just wanted the U.S. to wake-up and start doings things the right way.
PEACE BE ON EARTLINGS.
SEE YOU ALL SOON. I AM NOT MISSING ANYONE OR ANYTHING.
YOU ALL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS HEAVIER THAN YOUR LEFT ONE BEFORE YOU ALL DIE.
DON'T FORGET TO READ and RECITE the QURAN IN THE NAME OF GOD, WHO CREATED YOU FROM BLOOD CLOT AND TAUGHT MEN BY PEN WHICH HE KNEW NOT.
SORRY FOR INTERFERING WITH EARTHLY MATTERS AGAIN.
What I did on 9-1-1 (although very gruesome and inhumane) can be justified.
The United States of America was founded on racism and hatred from day one. Look what they did to the Native Americans, the blacks and Japanese. The U.S. killed 500,000 innocent Japanese in WWII, gave HITLER the ideas of eugenics(better race), exposed millions to radioactive materials in the pacific and Atlantic islands in the name of pursuing weapons of mass destruction. I can go on and on...
What I did (although unimaginable and spectacular) was simply to stop of the spread of hatred and racism by the U.S. all over the world (in the name of spreading peace).
Muslims in America do not need to worry about anything. I introduced Islam to America with a BIG BANG. They have started learning and converting to Islam faster than Anthrax bacteria can convert from anti-lethal to lethal state.
Hence, I am very optimistic. The racism in U.S. will end soon. Remember it took Malcolm X a journey to MECCA to stop hating the whites. The U.S. needs Islam to save itself from the path of destruction and racism. That's why I sown the seeds of Islam.
Just relax. I am relaxing in heaven too. I did not sacrifice my life to get 70 virgins. No virgins exists. I knew that very well on Earth during my ephemeral stay. I just wanted the U.S. to wake-up and start doings things the right way.
PEACE BE ON EARTLINGS.
SEE YOU ALL SOON. I AM NOT MISSING ANYONE OR ANYTHING.
YOU ALL MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RIGHT HAND IS HEAVIER THAN YOUR LEFT ONE BEFORE YOU ALL DIE.
DON'T FORGET TO READ and RECITE the QURAN IN THE NAME OF GOD, WHO CREATED YOU FROM BLOOD CLOT AND TAUGHT MEN BY PEN WHICH HE KNEW NOT.
SORRY FOR INTERFERING WITH EARTHLY MATTERS AGAIN.
2003-06-15
DAVID C said:
The author's first paragraph says the FBI is searching
for conclusive evidence. This negates the author's
hypothesis: by his own words the FBI is striving to prove
Rudolph's racist intentions and punishing him as a
terrorist.
There is enough evident racism around. We don''t
need this kind of lazy logic to prove it.
for conclusive evidence. This negates the author's
hypothesis: by his own words the FBI is striving to prove
Rudolph's racist intentions and punishing him as a
terrorist.
There is enough evident racism around. We don''t
need this kind of lazy logic to prove it.
2003-06-15
ALIU MUHAMMED FROM NIGERIA said:
it is clear in every angle that Bush and his administration is against Islam not terrorism as widely clamed.
2003-06-15
AKBAR KHAN FROM CANADA said:
As-Salaam-U-Alaiykum,
The author and respected brother Arsalan Iftikhar, makes an important observation here that many Muslims and Christians need to pay attention to and think about. He has brought to everyone's attention that the Media is responsible for being incapabable of making a clear and present distinction between ISLAM, and what fuels/fools people like OSAMA BIN LADEN. When it comes to a FUNDAMENTALIST, or EXTREMIST that is doing his "work" in the name of furthering some other cause from Islam, such as Christianity, then you see the media DOES do a much better job at singling out the actions of individuals such as Eric Rudolph, from the Christian faith. Face it...the media is teaching people what to believe...
RUDOLPH is not called a Terrorist on networks like CNN or FOX, even though he is one. Ask yourselves why are the Muslims unproportionately picked on?
Next, the author's hopes that Mr. Push and his Road Map to Pieces must become distanced from the Right-wing Christian ideology, that exists in the American government today in abundance, is more than likely going to never happen as long as George calls his friends guys like Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham and his son. These are your Osama Bin Laden's of the USA, whether you know it or not, or like it or not. Watch Pat Robertson's show the 700 Club, and you can catch him very often attacking Islam, openly calling it a backward religion and many other discriminatory things. These are your homegrown terrorists who want to create political clout, gain wealth, grasp hold of power, all by just constantly feeding the public with their hogwash. Sooner or later the truth becomes jumbled and your mind stumbles away from the straight path. You need not an intercessor between you and God Almighty...look towards Him and join with those who seek forgiveness and direction from their Rubb/Lord. If these CIM's think they are from among the lost tribes, then they are still lost, unfortunately.
The author and respected brother Arsalan Iftikhar, makes an important observation here that many Muslims and Christians need to pay attention to and think about. He has brought to everyone's attention that the Media is responsible for being incapabable of making a clear and present distinction between ISLAM, and what fuels/fools people like OSAMA BIN LADEN. When it comes to a FUNDAMENTALIST, or EXTREMIST that is doing his "work" in the name of furthering some other cause from Islam, such as Christianity, then you see the media DOES do a much better job at singling out the actions of individuals such as Eric Rudolph, from the Christian faith. Face it...the media is teaching people what to believe...
RUDOLPH is not called a Terrorist on networks like CNN or FOX, even though he is one. Ask yourselves why are the Muslims unproportionately picked on?
Next, the author's hopes that Mr. Push and his Road Map to Pieces must become distanced from the Right-wing Christian ideology, that exists in the American government today in abundance, is more than likely going to never happen as long as George calls his friends guys like Pat Robertson, and Billy Graham and his son. These are your Osama Bin Laden's of the USA, whether you know it or not, or like it or not. Watch Pat Robertson's show the 700 Club, and you can catch him very often attacking Islam, openly calling it a backward religion and many other discriminatory things. These are your homegrown terrorists who want to create political clout, gain wealth, grasp hold of power, all by just constantly feeding the public with their hogwash. Sooner or later the truth becomes jumbled and your mind stumbles away from the straight path. You need not an intercessor between you and God Almighty...look towards Him and join with those who seek forgiveness and direction from their Rubb/Lord. If these CIM's think they are from among the lost tribes, then they are still lost, unfortunately.
2003-06-15
ROMESH CHANDER FROM US said:
Quit moaning and groaning. Feds have been on the tail of Identity Church and its followers for years. In 1984, there was a huge conflagration between them and FBI in Arkansas where they weer almost liquidated. Recently, they lost their base in Hayden Lake (Idaho) in a law suit.
Well, Identity never crashed planes into political, economic and defense establishments of US and start a war with the US as Alquida and Osama has done. So your comparison of Identity Church and Osama is quite off base.
Well, Identity never crashed planes into political, economic and defense establishments of US and start a war with the US as Alquida and Osama has done. So your comparison of Identity Church and Osama is quite off base.
2003-06-15
JB FROM USA said:
Millions of equivocating Muslims support bin Laden. After September 11, he got a personality cult among Muslims - not because his supporters (worshippers?) thought he was innocent, but because they knew he was guilty, and they were proud of what happened to the WTC. In contrast, I haven't seen thousands of Christians marching in support of Rudolph, or waving his picture around.
The FBI hunted him and caught him, unlike our Muslim "allies" who are too limp wristed to deal with their own terrorists.
The FBI hunted him and caught him, unlike our Muslim "allies" who are too limp wristed to deal with their own terrorists.
2003-06-15
LOURDES CUADRA FROM USA said:
I have olive skin,so I understand comletely with your article. I am sick of the hatred,bigotry,and racism,in this country. I consider myself Roman Catholic, it means Universal. I beleive in respect for all religions who spread the message of Gods love.
2003-06-14
