Adamize

FDD's Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Adam Serwer (Mother Jones) explore whether it's too early to decisively determine motive in the Boston bombings. They debate whether “religion” can be the motive for violent acts, or whether it's really “religious identity politics.” Daveed acknowledges that discourse on religion and terrorism is often ugly, but argues that trying too hard to be politically correct stifles real conversation on the subject. They examine the roles of theology vs. structural factors in the behavior of believers. With reference to Malcolm X, Scientology, and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, they discuss whether there's a double standard towards certain religions. Daveed and Adam agree that, for all its mistakes, the media has done a relatively responsible job covering the bombings—whereas much of the commentariat has gone off the rails.