You’ll have to support that. I’d argue that it was more out a sense of obligation and duty. This is supported by the testimony that we have of several kamikaze pilots. Hardly models of religious fanaticism.
The Emperor was considered Divine; their duty to him was a religious duty. In any event, you’ll note I said “rare” not “unheard of.” I maintain that in warfare suicide attacks are relatively uncommon.
Again, that goes against the testimony.
Xunz,
Phaedrus answered for me. The Kamikaze certainly had multiple motives, up to and including a culture where suicide was considered honorable, but the motivation was the preservation of their divine emperor. I appreciate you trying to find a line of demarcation, but I don’t think it is that easy.
As for the Sunnie/Shiite cleansing, there are few motives other than religion as motive. Often, there is no material advantage to be gained, and in fact, many times there are losses incurred. The only explanation that fits many of these situations is religion.
Xun, are you claiming there are no religious elements to Bushido? That would be a remarkable claim. You could post links to your assertions that interviewed pilots (that obviously didn’t actually commit suicide) didn’t view the act with any religious significance if you wish, but I don’t think it’s relevant enough to the central topic to be warranted. It would be interesting, though.
Tentative- I do suspect motiviations for many suicide attacks are complex. Honor, hatred & loyalty enter in to the equation. So does fear- some suicide bombers do what they do to prevent family members from being killed. I do however think that religions that promise heaven for those who martyr themselves will find a lot more subjects willing to sacrifice their lives.
Actually, five out of six of those pilots did. It was their diaries. You’ll note, if you read them, that they don’t spend a lot of time discussing the Emperor, let alone his divinity.
I think the difference between a holy war and a religious war is quite obvious.
Religious wars are fought on the 3d, material plane. Where ‘religion’ exists.
Holy wars are fought there, and beyond.
As above, so below.
I’m not sure that omission is useful, but it’s interesting. Thanks, Xun.
Wars are seldom fought for one cut and dried reason. Even the Crusades weren’t purely religious wars. Certainly religion was a powerful motivator, but many of the combattants were lured by the promise of vast wealth.
Why do you think Bush and those fools go and pray in ridiculous robes at Bohemian Grove?
Obviously these ‘satanists’ are not being promised money, as they have tons of that. So what are they being offered?
I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Rich men usually want to grow richer. Powerful men want ever more power. Religion is an element to Bush’s decision to invade Iraq, undoubtedly. But it’s obviously not the only reason.
Well… fuck 
If you are in cahoots with the families which literally produce ALL MONEY FOR THE WORLD then you can’t get more rich.
Undoubtably… these people do want more power.
I would say that their ‘Satanism’ or whatever you want to call being controlled by discarnates from another dimension, is the sole reason for going to war with Iraq.
Bush doesn’t sit there like… actually contemplating these things, lol like he gets a say in them. He does what he’s told. Fear is the biggest reason, now that I think about it.
Bush is a puppet controlled mainly by unseen entities. He has crossed a threshold by wanting power, and now can’t go back because of fear. He has to deal with it by embodying his controllers.
His grandfather was a nazi, and skull & bones digs up and covets the bones of famous dead native americans. Is this not a strange derivitive of arian supremacy? Bush has used the words ‘Holy War’ in his speeches, implying that the etherial realm has influance in his conquests.