Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really an Islamist?

Undesired Walrus · 2nd May 2008, 01:48 AM

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 · 2nd May 2008, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by 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?

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 · 2nd May 2008, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by 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?

Is that your working definition of Islamist?

Quote:

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.

Quote:

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.

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 · 2nd May 2008, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Darth Rotor

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.

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 · 2nd May 2008, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Undesired Walrus

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 · 4th May 2008, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by trustbutverify

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

2nd May 2008, 01:48 AM	#1
Undesired Walrus Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: London Posts: 10,893	Is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad really an Islamist? 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.
	__________________ Man's material discoveries have outpaced his moral progress. - Clement Attlee, 1945 Last edited by Undesired Walrus; 2nd May 2008 at 01:49 AM.

2nd May 2008, 08:33 AM	#2
Ziggurat Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 26,220	Originally Posted by 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? 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.
	__________________ "As long as it is admitted that the law may be diverted from its true purpose -- that it may violate property instead of protecting it -- then everyone will want to participate in making the law, either to protect himself against plunder or to use it for plunder. Political questions will always be prejudicial, dominant, and all-absorbing. There will be fighting at the door of the Legislative Palace, and the struggle within will be no less furious." - Bastiat, The Law

2nd May 2008, 01:20 PM	#3
Darth Rotor Salted Sith Cynic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rat cheer Posts: 34,279	Originally Posted by 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? Is that your working definition of Islamist? Quote: 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. Quote: 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. 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
	__________________ Helicopters don't so much fly as beat the air into submission. "Jesus wept, but did He laugh?"--F.H. Buckley____"There is one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth ... His mirth." --Chesterton__"If the barbarian in us is excised, so is our humanity."--D'rok__ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails."-- Robert Earl Keen__"Sturgeon spares none.". -- The Marquis

4th May 2008, 08:03 PM	#6
Darth Rotor Salted Sith Cynic Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rat cheer Posts: 34,279	Originally Posted by trustbutverify 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
	__________________ Helicopters don't so much fly as beat the air into submission. "Jesus wept, but did He laugh?"--F.H. Buckley____"There is one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth ... His mirth." --Chesterton__"If the barbarian in us is excised, so is our humanity."--D'rok__ "I only use my gun whenever kindness fails."-- Robert Earl Keen__"Sturgeon spares none.". -- The Marquis

2nd May 2008, 02:15 PM	#4
trustbutverify Master Poster Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,083	Originally Posted by Darth Rotor 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. 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?

2nd May 2008, 05:04 PM	#5
Elind Philosopher Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 6,622	Originally Posted by Undesired Walrus 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.