You don't need an aggrieved population to spawn religious terrorism. Look at the Aum Shinrikyo movement in Japan or Tim McVeigh in the U.S. Aum Shinrikyo would see to have much in common with Boko Haram, especially in a charismatic preacher attracting young, educated but unemployed youth. It just arose in a Buddhist milieu rather than a Muslim one. The danger is if people think that Boko Haram represents Nigerian Muslims, or at least northern Muslims. That could turn into a self-fulfilling accusation. I didn't hear anyone in Japan saying Aum Shinrikyo represented Buddhism, or anyone in the US saying Tim McVeigh was typical of Christians.
On May 3, 2012, at 12:20 PM, kenneth harrow wrote:
> how much is boko haram sustained by the population up north? if the people feel aggrieved, it can't be starved by money, but by addressing the grievances. the other islamist movements you mentioned arose in a context in which an invasion or a repressive state created an aggrieved population.
> even the lra arose from such circumstances, and not out of the deranged delusions of kony or his seer predecessor. people listen to such figures or support movements when they are aggrieved. i hear a good deal of rhetoric and anger directed against muslims up north; no doubt they hear the same thing.
> ken
>
John Edward Philips <http://human.cc.hirosaki-u.ac.jp/philips/>
International Society, College of Humanities, Hirosaki University
"Homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto." -Terentius Afer
<http://www.boydell.co.uk/www.urpress.com/80462561.HTM>
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