Ideas have consequences.
The idea that motivates Hamas and other terrorists is: achieving “divine” justice—other-worldly justice—via earthly retribution, using any means necessary. Their strategy: dehumanize, destroy, and dominate. Their means of implementation: Jihad, murder, mayhem, and martyrdom.
From the horse’s mouth: “The day of judgment will not come until Muslims fight the Jews (killing them all), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees, the stones and trees will say, ‘Oh, Muslims, oh, Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, kill him.’”[1]
The specific ideas are:
God is our objective.
The Prophet is our political leader.
The Quran is our Constitution.
Jihad is our method.
Martyrdom is our aspiration.
Bombs and bullets will not destroy these pernicious beliefs that are indoctrinated into children as soon as they can read. To win this fight, one must understand the “fundamental conviction which some people never acquire… the conviction that ideas matter [i.e., philosophy]… that ideas matter means that knowledge [and]… truth matters,”[2] as Ayn Rand so clearly did. Until the deadly ideas motivating Hamas are confronted and changed, the mayhem, murder, and martyrdom will continue.
Carl B. Barney
December 27, 2023
[1] https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp
[2] “The Inexplicable Personal Alchemy”, Return of the Primitive, Ayn Rand
I could not agree with you more! The evil nihilism of Hamas must be fought on two fronts – on the intellectual as well as the physical battlefield.
Thanks and well said. I have been following Caroline Glick. She is my modern day Henry Kamm.
This is Casey, John David Lewis wife.
He passed away in January 3, 2012. His thoughts live on in his book “Nothing Less Than Victory”, and are still applicable today. Continue to share his insights with others.
So true – it really is that simple. It was so eloquently explained in detail by John David Lewis in his book “Nothing Less Than Victory.” Just like with the Japanese in WW II, until these fanatics are convinced they are all going to be killed with absolutely no chance of achieving their goals this will continue.
Thanks. Well said. Have a happy holiday season.