Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really an Islamist?

[Undesired Walrus]

Is Ahmadinejad really a raving sociopath with little regard for the life of this world, instead devoted entirely to the life of the hereafter, or using Islam for his political advantage?

In a sense I wonder, is he more concerned with the rewards he will recieve from God in the 'next life' for obliterating the Jews of Israel than he is with the repercussions that such a strike would have on Iran?

I wondered if there was any evidence to support this position, surely hoping he doesn't actually believe in this fantasy.

[Ziggurat]

Is Ahmadinejad really a raving sociopath with little regard for the life of this world, instead devoted entirely to the life of the hereafter, or using Islam for his political advantage?

Those are actually different questions than the one in the thread title. I do not know how sincere he is. But since he wants Islam to form the basis of political power (whether or not he believes it), he is without a doubt an Islamist. That's pretty much what the term means.

[Darth Rotor]

Is Ahmadinejad really a raving sociopath with little regard for the life of this world, instead devoted entirely to the life of the hereafter, or using Islam for his political advantage?
Is that your working definition of Islamist?
In a sense I wonder, is he more concerned with the rewards he will recieve from God in the 'next life' for obliterating the Jews of Israel than he is with the repercussions that such a strike would have on Iran?
Does it occur to you that in his rhetoric, he's playing to the crowd, and telling some of his audience, and some of the mullahs, what they want to hear? Remember, he's a politician.
I wondered if there was any evidence to support this position, surely hoping he doesn't actually believe in this fantasy.
Since you made it up, maybe you'd like to look into it and report back to us. :D

It might be instructive to get your hands on material that begins during his days as a soccer player, and ends when he steps down as mayor of Teheran.

Good hunting.

DR

[trustbutverify]

Is that your working definition of Islamist?

Does it occur to you that in his rhetoric, he's playing to the crowd, and telling some of his audience, and some of the mullahs, what they want to hear? Remember, he's a politician.

Since you made it up, maybe you'd like to look into it and report back to us. :D

It might be instructive to get your hands on material that begins during his days as a soccer player, and ends when he steps down as mayor of Teheran.

Good hunting.

DR
Do you think He has been unfairly demonized?

[Elind]

I wondered if there was any evidence to support this position, surely hoping he doesn't actually believe in this fantasy.

There are Christians who would hasten the end of the world if they could, but this twit from Iran starts off every speech he makes with a wish for his version of the return of god and the End of Times.

I'll take him at his word.

[Darth Rotor]

Do you think He has been unfairly demonized?
By whom?

He goes out of his way to make provocative statements (in some circles) in order to play to the audience he prefers to cater to (other circles.)

Standard politics. Also standard politics is people giving you crap for what you say.

*shrugs*

What's with the demonization thing?

What are you referring to?

DR