Max Carter
Director of Friends Center, Guilford College

Max Carter

A recorded Friends minister, he serves on the Board of the American Friends Service Committee and the Advisory Board of the Earlham School of Religion.

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Don't associate Muslims with the violent actions of a few

What should we call terrorists, some of whom claim to be motivated by their religion? Can one be an Islamic terrorist? What about a Christian terrorist? Does what we call terrorists matter?

Only hours before responding to this week's "On Faith" question, my wife and I returned from leading our annual work/study trip to Israel and Palestine to volunteer at the Quaker schools in Ramallah (West Bank) and learn from the various Israeli and Palestinian peace & justice communities. Our experience in the Middle East this summer - as during all previous trips - makes the question of "what to call terrorists" a very pertinent one.

We were reminded often while in Jerusalem of the sorry history of the Christian Crusades. The memory of the terror wreaked on Muslims and Jews (and some native Christians even!) by Christian warriors is still present. And so is the proud memory of the Muslim warrior Umar who, after taking Jerusalem from the Crusaders, was invited to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Refusing to do so, lest his followers turn that Christian holy site into a mosque, he rolled out his prayer rug beyond the church doors. The mosque near that site today bears Umar's name, as do many mosques near Christian places of worship - a reminder of the harmonious relations possible even during times of conflict.

While traveling through the southern West Bank with members of "Breaking the Silence," a group of Israeli army reservists who work to educate the Israeli public about the reality of Israel's continuing occupation of the Palestinian territories, we learned of the terror inflicted on Palestinians by some Jewish settlers: wells and pastures poisoned, shepherds and school children shot or beaten up, land confiscated, olive trees cut down. We met with one Palestinian farmer whose land, titled to his family for 100 years, is now surrounded by four settlements; he is denied water and electricity; his cisterns are under demolition orders from Israel; he is not allowed to build any structures above ground - even to shelter his animals. Yet he and his family have posted a sign at the entrance to their farm: "We refuse to be enemies."

These realities, past and present - and many more that could be added, have not, however, prompted the title of "Christian terrorist" or "Jewish terrorist" to occupy a spot along side "Islamic terrorist" in our consciousness. Instead, the actions of some Muslim extremists, combined with the ignorance of many about the day-to-day "normalcy" of the vast majority of the billion or so Muslims worldwide, prejudice us not to think twice about hearing the term "Islamic terrorist" and get riled up if anyone dares to suggest that there are Christian, Jewish, or other religious practitioners of terror.

Of course there have been Muslims who have effected horrific acts of terror on the innocent. But why does a whole population get tarred with that descriptor when the innocent victims of the "Christian West's" violent actions over the past century number in the millions? The total of those who have died at the hands of "Muslim terrorists" pales in comparison.

As we organize our annual trip to the Middle East, we always have to deal with this stereotype. Parents of our college-age participants, especially, question our sanity in taking their children into the Palestinian territories, convinced that there are "terrorists" everywhere - that "you go to the West Bank; you get shot; you die." And every year those same students experience nothing but the amazing hospitality of Palestinians, the vast majority of whom are Muslim and suffer both the sobriquet of being "Muslim terrorists" and "Palestinian terrorists." This warmth is extended to us even while it is obvious that we are Americans and that we are primarily Christian - although it is not uncommon for us to have a number of Jewish participants, too. All receive the same incredible response of friendship.

Terms matter. As we continue unquestioningly to use such descriptions as "Islamic terrorist," we drill into the public's mind a stereotype that hurts others - and, in the end, hurts us. I applaud the Administration's attempt at a more accurate - and ultimately a more realistic and beneficial - portrayal of the challenges that face us from those who would seek to do us harm (in response, most of them would say, to the harm we have done to them!).

Although I am not naive enough to believe it would be possible for our government to take the attitude of the Palestinian farmer who welcomes Israeli soldier and settler alike with the sign, "We refuse to be enemies," I would hope that we might at least be more sophisticated in recognizing that the overwhelming majority of those whom we label as "terrorists" are not our enemies, want very much to be our friends, and are waiting to see us live up to the highest ideals in our own religious traditions.

By Max Carter  |  July 13, 2010; 1:37 PM ET Save & Share:  Send E-mail   Facebook   Twitter   Digg   Yahoo Buzz   Del.icio.us   StumbleUpon   Technorati  
Previous: Say no to 'Jihadis,' 'Islamic terrorism' and 'Islamo-Fascism' | Next: Why telling Muslims what they believe is a bad idea

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On the issue of Palestinian public support for terrorism.

http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=19&country=168

The Palestinian population are the highest supporters of suicide bombing in the world. As the pew research document shows, about 70% of the muslim Palestinian arabs support this mode of terrorist activity. No wonder Hamas would win any democratic election....They represent their people well.

The Palestinian arabs are even more radicalized then those in Lebanon who otherwise lead the world @ 39%.

http://pewglobal.org/database/?indicator=19&response=Often/sometimes%20justified

Posted by: primaljew | July 25, 2010 5:55 PM
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If Max Carter bought what those "peace loving" Palistinians were selling him, then I have a bridge in NY for him. The "all welcome" sign reminds me of the Iraqi "baby milk factory" sign(during Gulf War I) written in english to make sure the western media got a good picture.

There have been no elections in the PA since Hamas won the elections and took over Gaza because everyone knows that Hamas would win in the West Bank as well. That means @ least 50% of palistinians are supporters of a terrorist organization whose stated mission is to eliminate Israel as a state and commit Genocide on the Jews.

Furthermore, the most popular name for new born Palestinian boys since Sept 11 has been Osama. Mr. Carter must have missed the videos of the Palestinian civilians passing out candy in celebration of the Sept 11 attacks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrM0dAFsZ8k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMOZvbYJMvU

While Israel can be credited with bringing many of the innovations that have improved million of live (portable computer, text messaging, medicine breakthroughs etc.) the Palestinian can be credited with bringing the world airline hijacking and suicide bombers.

Posted by: primaljew | July 25, 2010 5:41 PM
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I do want to respond to Farnaz Mansouri's invitation to provide more detail. The poisoned well I mentioned is at At-Tuwani in the southern Hebron Hills - the work of the notorious Kefar Ma'on settlement. My own daughter spent a day with Israeli peace activists picking up barley grains soaked in rat poison and spread in At-Tuwani's pastures by the same settlers. The settlement is so violent that Israel itself has a demolition order on it - although never carried out. At-Tuwani's children and those of other surrounding Palestinian villages have been so terrorized by Kefar Ma'on residents that the Israeli army accompanies them to school - and its own soldiers have been harassed by the settlers! Killings of children by settlers that I can confirm directly are at Beth El - the children being from the Jalazone refugee camp.

As for the question of whether Quakers are aware of the Apartheid practiced on American Indians, I suggest looking at the website of the Friends Committee on National Legislation, the Quaker lobby in Washington, D.C. and the only non-Native American lobby that advocates for Indians as a central focus of its work. The same can be said for programs of the American Friends Service Committee.

My own doctoral dissertation was on the work of Quakers on behalf of Midwestern Indians in the early 19th century. I am also well aware of Israel's own study of the reservation system as a model for its polices in the Palestinian territories.

Posted by: mcarter1 | July 14, 2010 9:14 PM
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1 of 3:

[i] WE, "Yj O K T A N"s art Risen! Behold; DO NOt be In Denial to Self, nor Family, nor Congregations: THAT

YE/YO "PREAPOCALYPTIC" "PELEG"-ABRAHMIC Lovers (Jews, Xrstians, Mormons, Islamis..) of Satanic-Versus was 1st to practice "TERRORism" from the Abroad & Mr. Moses Freudianly Slipped & Prophetically Wrote words like "w/Great Terror(s).."!? And as a CHURCH OF PELEGian nations (i.e., todays Islami, Jew, Christian, Mormon... Ummah, includes Hindu & Buddha... Ummah) THAT

Ye (HUMAN's) all Worship that Jinn/Kali/Satanic-Versus, "DRUNKiN [Racist] NOAH" Story & today still hath nerve to ENFORCE such "JEALOUSY" both Globally & Locally Against US "HUUMATES"(aka Apocalyptarian(s))?.

So YES, Jealous ISLAMi (copy Cat-PELEG folks) & Jealous Xrstians & Jealous Jews & Jealous Hindi's & Jealous Buddhists & Co. are a Threat to US, None-PELEGians! Secret; WE [i] art from the Kj O K T A N Eberu side; NOt Peleg side, WE [i] art Contrarians of Ye own Jealous G-d/Allah/Ishvara Stories; Thus

Ye & Ye "Tax Exempt" Org/Church/Business PELEGian Entity art NOt part of the Prophecy of the 'O.U.R.' Kjotan People story whom hath Inherited the (O.ne U.niversal R.eligion) system! As tried to mention here & there So So many Times. So, "Religious Jealousy Psychosis" & "Pre-Apocalyptic SiNdrome"s is as real as Vanilla Icecream & Apple-Pie! aye?
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Imagine How-Many? ISLAMi's lived in FRANCE 100 years ago? A SECULAR nation Who justly Out-lawed their own MOnarchic Threat/Spread long ago but Today it the Islamic THEOCRACY-Creep threatens the Secular-French within via Islami Anti-Humanity Doctrine?). So Brethren NAPOLEAN was right. Or DUTCH landa situation then & Now (xrstian Monarchs Vs. Islami Theocrats growth within)..

Note: White Islami Ummah (Arabous's) or their descendent's Did NOt contribute Anything To the U.S. Colonies! Nor Their Army's, Not to the American "Struggle" (nikba or intifada) Except for Selling their African Black Slaves or Booty to the Pioneers. Remember Islami Cordoba & Portugal 1492? How did Islami end-up all the way into Europe? So

Europe does NOt want such a Repeat (silent Islamic overpopulation creep, then it Explodes). It took the 'Crusade's (can't Hide or Deny that one) to Move back from where they came from. Aye? Soo, it's no different Today (in Euro). Maybe It's AMERICA's Turn to Experiment with the Islami-Creep, then Explosion thing. Lets wait 80 Years. Dejavu! Russia, India n China are also aware of the Islami-Creep & then their sudden Booms! See How PAKISTAN stole vast Swats of Landa From INDIA, now slowly Kashmir.?

Posted by: faith-on-space-ship-earth | July 14, 2010 1:18 PM
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2 of 3
In ECONOMICS, within a Secular-Banking System (NOt Sharia/Halakah/Caste) & via the all mighty "iNvisible-Hand" (Not G-D//AlLAH//iSHVARA//...) that there is a phenomena/on called the "Multiplier" Effect. But but When IT comes to "Society" via "ETHNO Demographics" it also has a 'Multiplier-Effect'; And it's called "Over-Population" Phenomena/on but but with a "None-Invisible Hand" made obvious exclusively via SEXUAL intercourses!

So; ALL, EVERY & ANY (G-D, Allah, Ishvara etc.) Tax Exempt man-made purported Deity Systems + Books & Rituals/Practice, or even when claimed to be as if G-D/Allah/Ishvara itself made & Delivered; That Such Pre-Apocalyptic Systems all Need to be Checked, Questioned, Tested and Vigilantly Watched or repelled against it's sneaky creapy Rise. Like when Inflation attempts to veer its ugly & devastating head! Hence Snuffing it out, before it'l snuff ye out (Via Jealousy).Soo

i [WE] have a Tool to contain this Threat (exponential Pre-Apocalyptic contagian ) within Pure Secular (none Church Based) Nations called, "ECONOMics Of PRE-APOCALYPTIC EXPANSION" controls. So if the the Baby of our "CRADDLE OF DEMOCRACY" is being Threatened within; Then IT is TiME to 'Snuff-them-Out' before it snuffs you out! Heck; Even The ARABOUs Elders Of AL TAQIYAH via WAHHABi & AYATOLLAHi Doctrines proves that Islami-Ummah is conscious of the XSTiAN-PHOBIA themselves in all 54+ Islami "OIC" nations. So

there is also such a thing as JEWISH-PHOBIA in Germany (pre WWII; Today its different & different Situation, as the World at large Knows: the Story; More So That Biblical Story's). So "ISLAMi-PHOBIA" is Real. And Their Islami Nations Have Religious Police. But NOt US Apocalyptarian Nations, aka Automatic Born'th Citizenz/Denizens of S.pace S.hip Earth(s)??

Posted by: faith-on-space-ship-earth | July 14, 2010 1:17 PM
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3 of 3
Note: The average German Liked The Secular JEW (none Kippa/Kuffi or Burqa Religio advertising Persons), like Hir Albert Einstein {pbuh} but but NOt so-much the obviously Religious (i.e., the HEREDi, Ultra Orthodox Germans?) F-A-N-A-T-I-C. Note again: the Obviously Religious & Jealous ABE//G-D lovers Got Us SECULARs mostly Killed because they boldly Published in Yiddish & or German That "HEREDI/Orthodox Abe-Ju Ummah are "G-D's (their) Chosen People" & that German's (Kafirs/Goys/Caste's) should Thank Them/PELEGians for Living on the JEWISH-PLANET(EARTH)? Soo, This is why Good Germans Got Us (victims of the Ultra-Religious) Killed & them selves by Such PRE-APOCALYPTiC thinking (NOt Apocalyptic Thinkers). So todays

ex-Idol worshiping Pagans suddenly forced turned into becoming Abrahamic Pre-Apocalyptic 'ALLAH'-aliens who's Abe 'Deity' via Quran/Koran is not quite like ye ABic G-D Chumash/Bible but pretend; or is Not quite like ye VEDic Geeta/Gita Ishvara but pretend; nor is their Allah like ye VEDic Dharma Kangyur/Tangyurs or Even GATHA's but pretend lalala. So

as a copy cat & Plagiarizing CULTture & or SECTtions that the entire Islami Ummah are Obviously-Fanatical (i.e. "PROJECTING" their PRE-Apocalyptarianity by their Dressings).

REALity: TOO-MUCH-[Preapocalyptic]-RELIGION is NO Good. But The WRONG-RELIGION is even Worse. But but APOCALYPTIC Faith/Religion/Belief, aka the "HOly COsmic FEelers FAith" is never Enough! "IT" tells US that in in IT's "ETERNITY AVOiDING LONLINESS" Work/Job, and that understanding + FEELing is truly (opposite Myth) our O.U.R. Religion! Note: Apocalyptic Faith is a "FOR PROFiT" Org. WE Aspirants DO not want to be any type of "Not For Prophet" org!??

Posted by: faith-on-space-ship-earth | July 14, 2010 1:16 PM
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YOu know I've heard a great deal of hysteria regarding killing of Palestinian children by settlers, poisoned wells, etc. However, when last year, I was in Israel, and traveled with a peace group, prepared to take samples, record testimony,etc., I strangely found nothing available to me.

Now, I queried, "Either a well exists or it does not. If a well exists and is poisoned, kindly take me to it." Oddly enough, though I returned, six (6) times, no poisoned well or anything else turned up.

I was given samples of water that did contain poison, but where they came from I do not know.

The Israelis were kind enough to introduce me to men and women permanently burned by Palestinians, brain damaged from explosions, missing arms, legs, etc.
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Speaking of Christian terrorists, I wonder what Max Carter is up to with respect to Apartheid America and its imperiled Native American population. According to the United Nations American Indians are among the world's "poorest developing nations," averaging well under 7,000 USD in income per year.

I cannot imagine that Max Carter, Quaker, is not at least as fully absorbed in the plight of Native Americans, who have been subject to genocide, as he is in the Israel/Palestinian conflict.

I await Max Carter's report on the energy he and his co-Quakers expend on this.

Read the UN report on the Apartheid condition of American INdians here.

http://www.atlanticfreepress.com/content/view/3258/81/

Posted by: farnaz_mansouri2 | July 14, 2010 9:42 AM
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Should we have associated all Japanese with the attack on Pearl Harbor or all Germans with the acts of the Hitler regime?

Posted by: edbyronadams | July 14, 2010 8:11 AM
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An interesting article about charitable donations in the United States going to aid settlements in Israel: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/06/world/middleeast/06settle.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all

Thanks for your thoughts, Max.

Posted by: adamwaxman | July 13, 2010 5:27 PM
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