So Why DO they hate each other?

QuickSilver

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http://www.thinkhard.org/2007/10/a-really-simp-1.html

The split between Sunni and Shia goes back to the death of the Prophet Muhammed in 632 CE. It was about the succession. Some Muslims were democratic in their approach and thought the leader of Islam should be elected from among the learned and devout. They chose Abu Bakr, a close friend and companion of the Prophet, who became first Caliph, secular leader of the Islamic nation. His followers claimed the title of "Sunni," or followers of the tradition of the Prophet.
Other Muslims believed in a hereditary solution and chose to follow Ali, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law. They became known as Shia, or party of Ali, or people of the Prophet's household. Their leaders were known as Imams and they followed a line of succession appointed by Muhammed. This dynastic approach has some similarities with the Christian ideas of the divine right of kings and the apostolic succession in the Catholic and Anglican churches, and it continues to characterise Shia practice today. It is no longer dynastic but it does confer a sort-of infallibility on its leaders.
The schism is therefore between the Sunni belief that Islam confers no hereditary privilege or sainthood, and the Shia belief that its leaders are infallible, without sin, appointed by God.



AND there ya go...
 

Well... here is a perfect example of why our founding fathers were adamant about separation of Church and State.. as this is exactly what a Theocracy can do.. There can never be compromise, as that would be going against GOD.. or what one thinks GOD wants or mandates. This is why there is no compromise in our Congress.. because there is a very loud factor that has injected religion into politics.

Seems so silly doesn't it? A 1400 year rift over an interpretation? Yet neither side is ever going to back down.. and this will go on another 1400 years..

So we should send our precious sons and daughters over there to die for THIS? I think not.
 
No different to the Catholics and Protestants in Ulster.

..or the Buddhists and Hindus in India, or any number of conflicts between misery making mysteries dreamed up by assorted "prophets" as far back as history goes. Religion, and all other assorted "woo" is, in my opinion, far and away the worst plague to ever be inflicted upon the human race. There was some excuse for it a few thousand years ago.
 
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Christians are exhorted to forgive. It is a line in the ancient prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples.
It's not easy to do but definitely something to aspire to.
The recent meeting of Prince Charles and Gerry Adams is symbolic of this fundamental requirement for peace.

I'm not sure about Islam in this regard. I suspect that the emphasis is more on revenge/recompense for wrongs suffered.
 
Maybe I should have said the southern part of Ireland where I went several times on business.

I did say Ulster. Protestants and Catholics, as such, have never fought much south of the border, only as Irish and English.

"Any idea which group was behind it?"

Sadly it happens so often that one doesn't pay it much mind. You have to go to a local news service to even find the story. It doesn't even make the nationals.

There are several dissident groups.
 
And that's sad, because it's not the religion but what people do....

I have to respectfully disagree, Thomas. People would not be wasting the precious and non-refundable days of their lives on that nonsense if religion hadn't put it in their heads.
 


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