The idea that the Palestinian people have only been able to persist because of their religion is ridiculous to me. They are resisting because colonialism, apartheid and genocide are very bad things to which nobody would want to be subjected, not because of Islam. If Palestinians were atheists, is he suggesting that they wouldn't have the strength or the will to resist? Would their lack of a belief in the supernatural turn them into doormats for Isn'treal?
I like Hakim's content, but his position on religion is quite frustrating. He is a Muslim first and a Marxist second. Also, Joram van Klaveren is still a right-winger.
but for every group that did it without religion, how many relied on religion, or worse didn't come together to believe in themselves?
Can you give examples? That’s just an open ended hypothetical that no one can answer. I really don’t get what your argument is here.
Don’t forget that faith has been used as a tool of oppression and placed at the height of state, the entire “Opiod of the masses” spiel. Of course people will turn to it if that’s all they know.. many wouldn’t if they knew the alternatives.
I can't, I hoped there might be some well known examples that I overlooked. Maybe there aren't many or even any, but over human history it's probable that it has happened.