More Views On Islam (1)

Bob Choi

14 June 2013

There was a quotation from Margaret Mead, a famed American anthropologist (and I paraphase): Don't ever under-estimate the importance of a small number of individuals who are devoted to a common cause. All major developments in human history began with an idea shared by a small group of like-minded individuals.

To this I would add: Don't ever ignore the potential danger of a group of extremists, no matter how small it might be. All major disasters in human history came about when fanaticism was allowed to gain power and start hijacking the silent majority. (All forest fires started with a tiny, single flare.)

I looked up the actual quote of Margaret Mead and here it is: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.”

My paraphase is long-winded and really didn't do her justice. I stand corrected.

In a society becoming increasingly pessimistic about the human capacity to change, she insisted on the importance of enhancing and supporting that capacity. She believed that cultural patterns of racism, warfare, and environmental exploitation were learned, and that the members of a society could work together to modify their traditions and to construct new institutions. This conviction drew her into discussions of the process of change, expressed in the slogan, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.” (Excerpt from the Institute of Intercultural Studies).

She was indeed a pioneer in "positive thinking"! I wonder what would she say about Muslim terrorists if she was still alive today!

-To be continued-