Osama Bin Laden has become the reluctant messiah of a new sect called, "I'll Just Believe Any Old Crap I'm Told."

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Associated Press, Sept. 16, 2001.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect, issued a statement Sunday denying that he was behind last week's terror attacks on the United States.

"I stress that I have not carried out this act, which appears to have been carried out by individuals with their own motivation," said the statement, broadcast by Qatar's Al-Jazeera satellite channel.

In the statement, read out by an Al-Jazeera announcer, bin Laden said that he was used to the United States accusing him every time "its many enemies strike at it."

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Did he lie? We are told that Muhammad proved by his living example that he was the most truthful and honest person of his age. How then can Bin Laden be a fundamentalist follower of the Prophet and a blatant liar? You can't have it both ways.

Then again, the Osama in the CIA released video, writes with the wrong hand and wears a gold ring (forbidden by Islam). Look at his chubby face. Frankly, Saddam had better doubles. Let's call this one Osama MkII to aviod confusion.

Taking this back to the point where it all started for most of us, I suggest a thorough and forensic examination of the followers of mammon who spun their dirty deals, insurance frauds and trading scams around the fate of the twin towers.

Cui bono. Who gains?

There...at last a hint of the real Axis of Weasels!
The oligarchs and Bilderbergers, with the latter day Rumsfelds, Cheney's and assorted bum lickers in tow.
(No NOT the Entire US Citizenry as some post submissions would allude to).

These are the bastards of the world (no theology need here).
Trace their roots, and follow their trails of destruction throughout time immemorial to discover they are only bent on the one true evil -$$$$$$$$. No parables of Jesus, no Pentecostal interpretation, no Islamic prophecies, no Buddhist bad kharma - just the purest of evil flowing throughout the ages. Again the naked ape should use its 'logos' in the Classical Greek meaning of logic.

Why is it that the 600 most wealthy personages on Earth have more wealth put together than that of a combined 200,000,000 of the world's poorest? That is the evil we should be fighting tooth and nail against.

So, because Bin Laden and his doppelganger(s)& Deputies (Al Zawahiri) dare re-state their raison-d-etres to the gullible public at large should we swallow it in large chunks or washed down with a crisp Chardonnay, in daintily packaged morsels, thus to savour the idiot fest called popular press/media/ electronic whorehouse?

Now to postulate on the possibility of Commonwealth Games mayhem...hmmm does a regional connection to Jemaah Islamiah sound feasible? Does it smell like a stitch-up borne of an Howardian nightmare with which to validate all the human rights abuses (read: Terror Legislation) yet to be visited upon the subjects of the Crown in dear old Oz?

Dont forget the same caring and sharing government arranged to have shot (in the back of the head) the pilot of the veering Blackhawk helo in Townsville to 'eliminate' the two SASR 'shooters' who actually did the shooting in Port Arthur. Yes JFK is still sharing a bedsitter in Glebe with Elvis, and Harold Holt.

38 shots fired with 35 fatal hits is not the work of a mentally ill 'patsy' my friends!

Be scared, be very scared - of state sponsored terror spawned upon our own shores!

Yes to the poster who came up with the idea - why doesn't Osama lobby for the downfall of the corrupt Saudi royal family? He could do more for Islam and the Arab world by putting his attention into his own people. Worrying about Palestine and Israel seems to be wasted energy. How is Palestine gonna help the average Saudi who is held hostage to the insane corruption and misuse of wealth of a royal dictatprship?

Realist and Chris Shaw

Yes its possible that the US has isolated bin Laden somewhere in Pakistan, Afghanistan or Iran. If he is stuck in a cave he’s less of a real threat. If he quietly died he’s even less threatening.

The personification of evil thrust upon bin Laden may indeed be useful for the US. However if it had been Australia that was attacked (and not the US) then even the most anti US conspiracy theorist might want to lash out haphazardly against the alleged murderers and their mates.

So maybe bin Laden is dead and this fact is being kept hidden to maintain the rage - until all America’s Middle Eastern enemies are all “gone” – who knows. I'm more concerned about local issues.

Albie Manton in Darwin

Bin Laden and many al Qaeda partners are very rich and upper middle class. Many have acted poor and simple as a religious gesture to boost recruitment.

Yes JI (an organisation well known to have links with al Qaeda in our region) may do the damage here. Or possibly an unaffiliated (“clean skin”) group within this country – with terrorist visions. Such a group may not have seen it as necessary to travel overseas for training.

Minuet

Osama is doing more than just lobby for the downfall of the corrupt Saudi royal family. One of the central creeds of al Qaeda is to rid Saudi Arabia of the “infidel” both civilian and military. The monarchy’s dependence on Western expatriates is considered “blasphemy” so the reasoning is the monarchy (or at least the current Saudi dynasty) must go.

Al Qaeda is part of a radical Muslim insurgency in Saudi Arabia against the monarchy. Targets include foreigners, Saudi civilians and Saudi security forces. The attacks have killed 91 foreigners and Saudi civilians and wounded 510 people, according to the Saudi government.

I don’t know if Isreal is a high priority target for the Saudi’s in al Qaeda. In the terrorist division of labour al Qaeda may tend to leave Israel to Palestian groups – mainly Hamas at the moment.

Hi all

Tubley (posted 2:47:03 PM 31/1/06)
Osama or Usama? Does it really matter in his case? Mohammad didn't seem to mind being called Muhammad or Mahomed? Just call him "sir" & kiss his feet & you'd probably avoid the sword?
I agree: George W BUSH is a worry. But show me a capable leader anywhere worldwide. That doesn't diminish the culpability of Usama though.

Leigh (post 3:25:33 PM 31/1/06)
I didn't doubt that you'd spring to your own defence. Admirably & capably I might say.
If this Irfan is a Sydney lawyer, then his logic may prove to be a little allusive. I recall the lawyer stating at TCN 9 Studios in March 2005, that according to the Holy Bible, God (Yahweh) approved of prostitution. He couldn't however be specific.
Well, there are several references to prostitutes & prostitution in Ezekiel - Ezek 16:15,16 & 23:3&7 - but they all refer to them/it as immoral & a curse (spiritual heathens).
Seeing that Judaism, Islam & Christianity are all on the table we may as well be honest. Ishmael was born of the concubine Hagar to Abraham (Gen 16), whilst Isaac was born to Abraham & his wife Sarah (Gen 21). Both Ishmael & Isaac were "blessed of many nations". But Ishmael lived life in hatred & bitterness, "his hand will be against everyone, & everyone's hand against him, & he will live in hostility towards all his brothers." (Gen 16:12)
Doesn't that sound like Usama?

Chainsmoker (post 6:38:36 PM 31/1/06)
Was that Christmas card list or "Happy Festive Season" list? There is a difference.
As to charity, compassion & a desire for peace: I do voluntary work amongst many of the disadvantaged. I am opposed to many of the conflicts which see human suffering, & I am currently involved in a Restorative Justice programme with the person who killed my mum.

Cheers all

What about me Count0 I nearly died laughing reading your post. How do you feel about that? Be a little more considerate please.

You quoted Surah 5:32 out of context.

Qur’an 5:32 "because of that We ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone killed a person, not in retaliation for murder, or to spread mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind."

Apart from its exemption for murder there is another exemption: “except in retaliation or the spread of mischief.” The “spread of mischief” is “non-Islamic behavior” and a “mischief maker” is anyone who does not “submit to and obey Allah and his Apostle.

Qur’an 5:33 “The punishment for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and who do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified, or their hands and their feet shall be cut off on opposite sides, or they shall be exiled. That is their disgrace in this world, and a dreadful torment is theirs in Hell.”

Then: Qur’an 5:34 “Except for those who came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power.”

This happens all the time in Islamic scriptures Count0, a peaceful verse is abrogated in favour of the vicious political one.

Listen if you have ears. Islam is not a religion of peace. Don’t take my word for it, look for yourself.

It is a Western idea to be pluralistic and its a contemptible one. Muslims are right to reject it. Religious doctrines are either right or wrong. But pluralism teaches there is no truth. So people don't bother looking for it. PC protects any honest look at Islam.

Islam is a standout, it is bloodthirsty and no theologically trained Muslim can deny they believe Sharia law should apply everywhere. No other religion holds these doctrines. ONLY Mohammedanism.