Suspect in Jewish Federation Shootings Was Recent Convert To Christianity

[kpete]

Suspect in Jewish Federation shootings recently baptized
Man who grew up Muslim drifted from Christianity

By SCOTT GUITERREZ
P-I REPORTER

RICHLAND -- Naveed Haq, now widely portrayed as a Muslim American so angry at Israel that he shot up a Jewish charity in Seattle, had recently converted to Christianity.

His conversion is perhaps the most startling contradiction in a puzzling life.

He had a degree in electrical engineering and was the son of a successful engineer. But he couldn't hold a job and recently worked as a security guard and retail clerk in the Seattle area.

His father was a founding member of the Islamic center here. But the son was rarely seen at a local mosque for more than 10 years.

more at:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/279493_convert31.html

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Yup.

Long history of mental illness too.

[LiberalVoice]

3. You would have to be...

to commit such a horrible act.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Unfortunately not.

There's all sorts of people going on shooting rampage and they're not mentally ill. Just morally ill.

[LiberalVoice]

6. True

I guess I just incorporate murderers with something being wrong in their heads.

[bryant69]

2. Perfect.

There was a cartoon by Tom the Dancing Bug about Columbine; Roshoark Drawing attacks highschool.

This guy seems to have situated himself so anybody who's upset about religion can find grist for their mill.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I really don't see why HIS religion is an issue.

What does it matter what religion he is?! All that matter is WHY he did what he did! He murdered a Jew and shot up 4 others because they were JEWS and he was pissed about Israel! THAT IS THE REAL PROBLEM!

[kpete]

8. I agree

Does not matter what religion you are. This is a very sick and troubled human being. He seemed to be searching. His search led him to HELL!

[QuettaKid]

11. better yet. . . .

why does it matter what religion his VICTIMS were? They were people. Human beings. It doesn't really mean or matter one iota that they were jews.

[Behind the Aegis]

13. The reason THEIR religion matters is because their religion...

...is WHY they became victims!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

21. I see your point

I am so sorry this has happened at this time, as emotions are so raw over this issue. I also think it is important to know as much as we can about the killer, and to observe how the media is portraying him-as a Muslim? A Christian? A crazy person? It is sad to note that there are elements in both Islam and Christianity that perceive Jews as less than human. Personally, never understood this idea, as I've had Jewish friends since I was in third grade.

[Behind the Aegis]

22. And here comes the quiet voice of reason and peace...

...you should get a louder voice. :) :hug:

Personally, I think the article is crap! It is almost entirely about his religion...why should that matter?! If someone gunned down a Muslim (Allah forbidding) in the street "because of" 9-11, the religion of the murderer is of little consequence. BUT, the victim's religion IS important because he was CHOSEN to be a victim for that reason, his religion!

I can't believe so many here are diminishing the fact that Jews were killed, well one Jew so far, in the United States because of what is happening in Israel! In my mind, it shows that many, including many posters here, conflate Israel and Jews! We have this tragedy and the Mel Gibson incident, and people want to brush them aside as inconsequential. Why should racism against us be brushed aside?! (That's rhetorical and directed at you, my friend!)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

28. No racism should be accepted

What I think is perhaps interesting is to watch how the media appears to be seperating people into different groups, implying that everyone in a certain group is a certain way, or agrees with certain policies. Both you and I know this is hogwash. I'm wondering, howver, if this might be part of a larger agenda-one that intends to keep people at each other's throats and away from the fact that we are all cousins, all related. When Muslims and Christians die, I weep. But when Jews die, I weep as well, for all these people are my relations, all human beings.

[LeftyMom]

12. Exploiting tragedy for cheap political points is beneath you. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

14. what?!

Your post makes no sense.

[LeftyMom]

15. I'm saddened, but not surprised, that you don't see it. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

16. And I am still confused.

The reason that woman died and the other four were injured were because of something another country did. Can you not see this is conflating all Jews with Israel? I am surprised you don't see this as a problem. Do we Jews deserve to be gunned down because of Israeli actions?!

The article is going on about the shooter's religion. Why should that even matter?! What I see in that article is an attempt to paint Muslims as the danger; they are not!

[LeftyMom]

17. The man is crazy.

Trying to make this mean something more than that is unfounded and unwise.

[Behind the Aegis]

19. So what that he is crazy?!

He killed that woman BECAUSE she was a JEW and because he hates Israel (or at least what Israel is "doing")! I didn't make this more than what it was...YOU however, have minimized the assault! It is a basic "nothing to see here" mentality! THAT is disturbing!

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. I think the correct reading on it might be, because he was crazy

he killed a woman because she was a Jew.

Certainly, there are people out there who hold lethal prejudices who might not be considered mentally ill (though I maintain that holding such prejudices IS a mental illness) but this person had a history of mental problems, and his recent conversion would suggest a fundamental rootlessness, deliberately separating himself from his family and the religion of his youth.

He's crazy, and that craziness is evinced in his shooting innocent people because of their faith. He could have just as easily become fixated on gays, or immigrants, or republicans, or redheads, and shot them instead. It was not a political act. It was insanity.

[Behind the Aegis]

24. Which is why I said earlier...

...HIS religion doesn't matter. However, HE made it political because of his statements BEFORE the killing. While mental disease is very serious, it doesn't negate that there is a real problem with people when it comes to Jews and Israel. That is what so many seem to be missing here!

[High Plains]

25. Why should the shooter's religion even matter?

Because many will try to play up the Muslim angle. The article provides a bit of an antidote to that.

[Behind the Aegis]

26. have YOU read ANYTHING I have posted on this?!

HIS religion SHOULDN'T matter! It shouldn't matter for the very reason YOU state! If people use his religion, in this case lapsed Islam, and recent convert to Christianity, as fodder, then they are just as wrong as he is and we can only hope that no one does what he did!

[AliceWonderland]

18. I imagine it might be an issue

if this terrible act were used to persecute Muslims, or justify any violence towards Muslims in international conflicts.

But surely no one would do that. Right?

[Behind the Aegis]

20. I would hope not!

That is why I keep saying WHY does HIS religion matter?! It wasn't his religion that made him do ANYTHING!

[Igel]

7. The portrayal seems to be based on

people quoting what he presented himself as, so it's not like it's an unfair portrayal.

Odd, no matter how you cut it.

[sgxnk]

10. he went through

the process of conversion (apparently), however extensive (or not) that is

however, immediately before gunning down innocent women he exclaimed "i am muslim"

thus, realizing that one's religion is a matter of belief, not technicalities as to conversion processes, i will take him at his word

[Sal316]

9. Extremism knows no single ideology.

No one religion, creed, race, culture has the franchise on violence.

It sounds as if this man had bigger issues, including depression.

<snip>

He said Haq talked about taking medication for his mental disorder.

<snip>

It pains me when people fall through the cracks and feel there is no other way out.

[TMA1]

27. dangerous grounds

I think it is a bit dangerous to imply that any religion is to blame for the act like this.