The joke in stereotypes
I often come across people who form opinions about people based on stereotypes. I have always campaigned against it. However, many continue to adamantly stick to their opinions.
Women can not be interested in sports
Blonds are dumb
Sardar ji’s are fools
Muslims have a natural inclination to become terrorists
People from Bihar lack culture
Gujrati’s are misers
There are many more that one can think of.
While all these stereotypes are based on certain facts and perhaps figures. It still doesn’t make sense to judge an individual based on the colour of his/her hair or the country of his/her origin.
One must judge a person for what he/she is.
I know most of the readers of this post are in agreement with me but I’m truly disheartened by the number of people who allow themselves to get swayed by such stereotypes.
Here’s the joke:
As part of my job, I had to attend a few focus group discussions of late. In every group, one typically finds a smart guy who knows more than the rest and speaks better than the rest. Comically, in both the groups we did one after the other, this person was a sardar.
Post the group, we had a good laugh about how, contrary to popular perception it was the Sardar that emerged to be smart one.
It made me think about the meaninglessness of stereotypes. They are good for a few jokes that’s all!
Like a friend once pointed out that I can never be included in a Hockey team. No, not because I am a woman but because I am a malyalee. The minute I get a corner I might set up a tea shop there.
Women can not be interested in sports
Blonds are dumb
Sardar ji’s are fools
Muslims have a natural inclination to become terrorists
People from Bihar lack culture
Gujrati’s are misers
There are many more that one can think of.
While all these stereotypes are based on certain facts and perhaps figures. It still doesn’t make sense to judge an individual based on the colour of his/her hair or the country of his/her origin.
One must judge a person for what he/she is.
I know most of the readers of this post are in agreement with me but I’m truly disheartened by the number of people who allow themselves to get swayed by such stereotypes.
Here’s the joke:
As part of my job, I had to attend a few focus group discussions of late. In every group, one typically finds a smart guy who knows more than the rest and speaks better than the rest. Comically, in both the groups we did one after the other, this person was a sardar.
Post the group, we had a good laugh about how, contrary to popular perception it was the Sardar that emerged to be smart one.
It made me think about the meaninglessness of stereotypes. They are good for a few jokes that’s all!
Like a friend once pointed out that I can never be included in a Hockey team. No, not because I am a woman but because I am a malyalee. The minute I get a corner I might set up a tea shop there.
Comments
I agree 100%. Now-a -days , it had become so common to make judgements based on stereotypical ideas in mind. Yes there are many jokes which say simbly :)
I ahve seen normally it happen in train journeys. But i like observing others, and smile, while
observing I find, there's not much in common, but as the joke goes :)
( Why did the Malayalee buy an air ticket?
- To go to DUBAIH ..simbly to meet his UNGLE and AUNDY in GELF.)
In particular, I like to believe in my own identity and live it happily, as everyone does.
These jokes and stereotypes are only good for fun and nothing more :)
Me too goes through something similar. being parsee I am sterotyped as mad and escentric. People go to the extent of saying "Oh parsee so you are born mad". Over the years I got used to it. My reply to them is " I am born that way what is your excuse"
Nice post .
" All muslims are not terrorists ", but wont u agree that " most terrorists are musilms "
And it will be very difficult to exist in a world without stereotypes.
If we see black n white stripes, we first think abt Zebra, but to decide its Zebra wud be wrong...
Guess u got d idea...
:) :)
and gad... my 2 bits...
all stereotypes are not bad.
i like the ones about chinese and b.o.
;)
I was just contesting to you saying "all terrorists are muslim"
All said and done we have no real understanding of the Koran. You have not read it or understood it from the horse mouth (a muslim clergyman) I'm sure you have not because you wouldn't hold the same opinion otherwise.
For example, our religious scripts justify the Mahabharath battle.
In the bhagwat gita, Lord Krishna, responds to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma about fighting wiht his own kin, by explaining to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and Prince. It was necessary to fight.
An outsider, with no real understanding of Hinduism could interpret that we are tought that it is justified to fight out kin for power.
Religion is the evil. It is easy to sway religious people to do wrong in the name of religion. Even Hindus. As has been seen in our country many times.
Education is the only sollution. true education - one that enlightens you.
is there any way to change perceptions?
U have made a contentious answer to a single point in my reply.
I guess it wud be safe to assume that silence means acceptance of the other points.
And I don't remember any instances of Hindu pandits terrorizing their Muslim brethren in Kashmir in the name of Mahabharata. Even when many of them have been brutally murdered by the Kashmir militia.
Neither is there any instance of Hindus in other states terrorizing minorities for the involvement of their brothers in Kashmir.
So much for the "Mahabharata Hypothesis"
There have been extremists among the Hindus too, but never to the extent of the Muslims. True, the Gujarat incident & the Staine's issue were entirely despicable. But these are exceptions.
We can see many atheists or agnostics among Hindus & Christians, but I have never seen one among Muslims. Its not an example of their religiosity but an example of the strength of their indoctrination, of their inability to ever tolerate another view.
Take the example of the Danish cartoons & the Salman Rushdie issue. Never tolerate any criticism about Islam..Its true that this virus of intolerance is slowly poisoning other religions too.
But I guess I have made my point.
And sorry to have made your humorous post into a scene of heated argument, but truth is always hot. Thats why all of us are comfortable with the cool n humorous illusions rather than hot reality...
"Too hot to handle"
Oh! why this talk about influence of " religion" over here on a discussion about "stereotypes"?. I think that we should ponder over..how these statements were formed..
Many keralites have migrated to Gulf. They are good tea makers and bakers. Sometimes, we have a mother tongue influence in our language. They like songs of Yesudas.. some of the common things that we find in a malayalee. But malayalees are also good news readers, reporters,singers and who speak neatly intonated and phonetic British english. When we take these stereotypes for a "joke", a nonsense joke doesn't make sense.. It can be left alone, but if it is used to generalise and take views about people, its often flawed.
Even the statement " religion is cause of evil" is flawed. why do men clash about " religion" . When it becomes just another "ism" to be followed, were we increase group strength and fight for others' blood, but religion is a form of worship,a form of self analysis,a method of self renewal" ( in the right sense,i mean). Now-a-days,people don't realise what " religion is meant to be" because only peripheral things and extremism only come into picture.
And about " terrorism",
its not just an issue as that of "stereotype". it is also a form of a mass movement with ulterior motives. When people react socially for destruction, they need some justification so they say its "jihad"..which is also another form of generalisation. Muslims have to follow fatwas of maulanas..but sometimes these fatwas also carry some basic motives ( which can be extremist, fundamentalist or whatever )it depends on person who releases fatwa!.
Terrorism is basicaly motivated from religious fundamentalism,or expressed through religion,in order to gather massive support for something which is damaging, because normally people are good and are reluctant to cause any evil.
but are all Muslims terrorists! Nope..Because all these things are only guidelines..people have the flexibility to take the ones, which is pertinent to time and virtue, and leave the rest.
Similarly,some stereotypes are formed because of sommon behaviour as " sue" said, but it need not be true..as civilisation grows..people change and their habits change..
Chillax
squeek squeek
mousee
Do visit my blog also at www.thefreewind.blogspot.com
I hav an interesting topic on which I expect ur opinion..
Tc...
It's interesting how Abhilash has completely missed the point of my post.
I'm saying that is is incorrect to judge individuals based on stereotypes.
Abhilash defys that very point by judging Muslims as terrorists or saying that they are inclined to terrorism etc...
Abhilash, I promise to not think you are in agreement with me if you stay silent.
But i would love to hear from you if you do ever manage to see the point in what my post is about.
Keep scribbling with new entries :)
"Stereotypes are ideas held about members of particular groups, based primarily on membership in that group. They may be positive or negative prejudicial, and may
be used to justify certain discriminatory behaviors"
"Prejudices are usually based on general Stereotypical conceptions of our everyday "reality" (including persons [even ourselves], objects processes, facts,value-norms, rules etc).
However, they need to be converted into "attitudes", in order to be considered as "prejudices", and they usually carry a negative connotation."
Courtsey Wikipedia
I agree to your point that people must not be judged on stereotypes, because I am a rational & logical person.
But because of the same reason, I never believe in keeping mum because what I am saying is going to hurt anybody.
I tell the truth as it is, because closing your eyes & imagining all is fine is not going to make the world a better place.
Stereotypes come into existence because of the actions or characteristics of a particular group. Each person is unique. One cannot judge a person by the group he is in. But its is rarely that a member of a group turns out to be totally different from the group.
Most of us are molded by the values our families hold dear. We are taught that what our family or group thinks is right, and each of us will be influenced in varying
degrees. But we will surely be influenced by it.
Many of us will have felt it in our childhood, "Why?"
But our parents, elders say, "Hush, don't question faith...just believe"
I think Pooja has been affected by such an influence..
If one simply closes eyes n believes the world is fine...well I can only say that, "Sorry, Your belief won't save you"
Its sad that, u have not replied to the points raised...Instead, u chose to simply close the discussion with a blanket statement...
I never said that Muslims are terrorists, but I made valid points on why they find it easier to take that course. And all of u who have been following this debate must
respond to the veracity of the points raised.
And I am ready for a discussion on the points raised, if you are ready(but I guess you are not, because you have no counter-points or may be because they are as
good as the Mahabharata Hypothesis)
But u seem to love everything to be in black n white, but if you "See things clearly", there are some Grey areas too.
Alas, I don't have "Great Expectations" of convincing you, because you can describe the world to a person who cant see, but its no use if u don't want to see...
If the mind is closed, the rest of the senses are in vain...
Its a sad truth that majority of us are blind with eyes wide open.
Tc...
Well, it doesn't to me.
I am tired of explaining why they don't.It's tiring because you keep taking off on a tangent.
And yes, my arguements, I'm afraid, are only about as good as my Mahabharat hypothesis so it will be good idea to put an end to this. :)
You think you are open minded, but you are prejudiced, by your own definition - that prejudice carries a negative connotation. Your statements about muslims are negative. Probably it is your own childhood influence like growing up in a family that had negative feelings about muslims and expressed them often. This is not an uncommon situation - muslim bashing seems to have become a national pastime. What exactly do we expect to gain from this? I can't think of a single thing. That is why I consider it negative and prejudiced. What do we gain if we stop bad mouthing others even if we think there are enough reasons to do so ? More good will all around.
This blog should not have drained us emotionally. It was humorous, but now through the discussions, it has become lively.
I would like to put this on air first:
a) stereotypes may not be true, but it is likely to make an impression in our minds. ( whether we believe or don't , it does! americans were paranoic about bearded people, post 9/11, feeling that they are muslim terrorists)
b) Muslims may not be terrorists. There are good people.
c) In all communities, there are people with negative attitude and as an act of domination, they try to overpower others or eliminate them. If faith is added to it and if there is sufficient leadership, it is likely to become terrorism or at least imbibe feud or war. ( ex: Israel and Palestine, Taliban in Afghanisthan,those who still feel racism is right)
d) Bad experiences can also create stereotypes. As " stereotype" formation is not simple always, it can not a;ways be funny either. It may become serious. ( it was the case with 9/11. I couldn't stand the video of "Daniel Pearl" ( or some other person, am not sure) was killed by Taliban). All these things are likely to influence me and develop fear in my mind. I mean, not with ordinary muslims, but definitely about some people.
e)Religious faith is likely to influence people. Intolerance in religion is also likely to influence the followers. It is not as simple as a "stereotype".
d) Normal people are not terrorists. But we cannot say that there aren't any terrorists in the world. can we? Some of them are muslims and they are very active and that often comes into our mind.
I would like to emphasise one more point
c) Uncommon behaviour can be changed. Common behaviour can also change. Each of us have some common and uncommon traits. Bad people may become good. Good people may become bad. All sorts of things might happen. It can be either an individual transformation or that of a community.
A final word:
One to One behaviour, group behaviou and community behaviour is different! So stereotypes may be formed are likely to be formed.
But any individual should not be accused on the basis of a stereotypical generalised statement. Your next door muslim neighbour is not likely to be a terrorist. He/she is likely to be lovely individual.
Hope all is well wen it ends well, isn't it?
Dileep
I would like to make it very clear that I was not bought up in a Muslim bashing environment. To state more clearly, I was bought up in till my teens in a non-religious environment.
Then I came to India, when I understood about the importance of religion out here. I saw people being described as Hindus, Muslims and Christians. I learned that although all are brothers, there are some lines between these communities which should not be crossed.
Now maybe because of my non-religious upbringing, I was skeptical about all religions. I believe in the values of Liberty, Freedom and Individualism. All religions suppress the individual spirit of its members through various traditions & rituals. But there have been rebels in all religions; they have tried to bring rationale and logic to the followers of their religion. Hindus and Christians may ex-communicate their members turned rebels. But Islam always goes a step further, fatwa for death.
I thought as any other normal being, Why this religion is so harsh? Some body told me, "Yaar, they are the minority, They are different, And because they are the minority, they are allowed to live according to their harsh rules. And we are always united in diversity...So don't go on asking such questions."
Great price for remaining united
But the question still persisted But then I learnt, One must not ask such stupid questions... What is the big deal any way? "Why create bad blood by bad mouthing?" Why not just be quiet and get own with your life?
But then it struck me, "We are allowing a religion to live according to its beliefs, but are we ensuring that the members who make up that religion have the same right. Does Islam take kindly to its own rebels, like the Indian constitution and public tolerates their extreme views?" I need not answer that question, the plight of the famous authors, Salman Rushdie and Taslima Nasreen are a living example of the great Islamic tolerance.
Why should I talk about these things that I observe, is simply because I am a human being who believes that Individual freedom, whenever and wherever it has been trampled in the name of religion has led to disastrous consequences.
Like Sue, in people who don't want to talk about the "not so good things of religion" ...lies the path to decline of our culture and society. Let me give you a very recent example. Many newspapers have reported yesterday that the Supreme Court has urged all states to frame laws to make registration of all marriages compulsory. Now the SC had issued this directive much earlier...Guess why the States had not acted on it..? The move was stalled because it may enrage the Muslim community leaders. Now the directive was issued to ensure the rights of women and children married, but the States don’t want
to ensure the welfare of their own citizens just because it enrages the particular community (more so they need their support to come back to power).
Now this is why not only I, but all of us must give thought about these issues. We live in a world where we are affected by the actions of our fellow country men, from whichever religion they are. By keeping mum, we are allowing the voices of the extremists to be heard, and when only their voices are heard, these extreme views become the norm. So by keeping mum, we are losing our ability to talk, to be heard, to play our part in the way our society is molded.
It’s no use trying to do some quick fix solutions after terror strikes. One must go to the root of the issues. We always like to avoid (like Sue said) embarrassing situations where we have to make a hard decisions, especially when it is related to religion and more so when the said religion is a minority.
We must rein in religious fundamentalism in all religions, whether Hinduism, Christianity or Islam.
And Sue, I hope you understand why we must talk about such things, because silence is not going to make the world better. We must stand up and make ourselves heard. One has to fight for one's liberty & freedom. Our leaders fought to give us this free country...but they would have thought that we have enough fight left in us to keep it that way...
Tc...
Yes, many of our leaders fought and shed lot of innocent blood, but don't forget that what really got India freedom was the vision and relentless practice of non-violence, tolerance, truth and universal love by one great leader who is hailed as the father of the nation. His mantra - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil - is more potent than endless tirades from a million like you.
http://adformula.blogspot.com/2007/07/harry-potter-and-bookworms-from-muggle.html
and other articles too ..
comments are dearly wanted
- Are you against:
a) Terrorism b) Muslims
- Do you judge people based on stereotypes?
a) No b) Yes
- Is your subject of interest
a) the joke in stereotypes
b) the impact of Muslims on Terrorism
If you chose “b” for any of the above, I would like to rest my case.
Please note I’m not looking forward to another marathon of a ‘comment’ from you. Thank you.
Quoting Gandhi to cover cowardice is a great way of being politically correct.
And according to Gandhi's philosophy, potential victims should present themselves to terrorists, to die.
Its is not a practical philosophy as these terrorists are not an official government (as the then British Govt was). And these terror outfits wont be influenced by world opinion or sympathy for their fellow beings (as their only agenda is to establish an Islamic Empire at any cost). Their only salvation in life is that they would be presented heaven for sacrificing themselves.
Lets go through Gandhi's own words to understand his inability to go beyond his Ahimsa and
Non-violence theory. Just because he was successful as a key architect for attaining Independence doesn't mean that he is the final authority on anything. And a word of advice, Gandhi was also a human being, he is also prone to errors.
Go through his views on the Hitler issue...
" If I were a Jew and were born in Germany and earned my livelihood there, I would claim Germany as
my home even as the tallest Gentile German might, and challenge him to shoot me or cast me in the
dungeon; I would refuse to be expelled or to submit to discriminating treatment. And for doing this I should not wait for the fellow Jews to join me in civil resistance, but would have confidence that in the
end the rest were bound to follow my example. If one Jew or all the Jews were to accept the
prescription here offered, he or they cannot be worse off than now. And suffering voluntarily undergone
will bring them an inner strength and joy [...] the calculated violence of Hitler may even result in a general massacre of the Jews by way of his first answer to the declaration of such hostilities. But if the Jewish mind could be prepared for voluntary suffering, even the massacre I have imagined could be turned into a day of thanksgiving and joy that Jehovah had wrought deliverance of the race even at the hands of the tyrant. For to the God-fearing, death has no terror. "
I don't know how many of us subscribe to this view. But its brings to the fore the fact that Gandhism works only if the oppressor, enemy is a human being who empathizes with others. It wont work with fanatics like Hitler or the terrorists.
Sue, is living in a fantasy world...Sorry Sue, your words are striking and dramatic, esp the closing statement quoting Gandhi just seem to clinch the argument, but there is absolutely Zero% substance in them. Even worse they seem to be dripping with cowardice and an inability to accept the truth.
In short your reply has not even a single valid point.
The fact is that you are living in a delusion and you want to remain there.
It's your choice.
One of your earlier comments had prompted me to recommend you to first get a deeper understanding of the Quran.
This time I recommend you first read up on Gandhi and his philosophies - easier to do.
Subscribe to magazines such as "newsweek" and "the economist" etc. They will provide you with a perspective about world matters that are more credible.
What can I do make you express yourself in fewer words?
I think Gandhiji's own words on the Hitler issue throws light on his view of how his pet theories of Ahimsa and Non-violence must be used.
Any way I was replying to Sue.
So kindly take it in context.
And as far as I am concerned, its the Quality not the Quantity that matters.
It a pity that some of us have neither.
Tc
perhaps you need a vacation, dude...and please carry a copy of Amartya Sen's book which i have mentioned in my previous comment. try grasping some of its thoughts with a calmer mind in a tranquil surrounding...things might get better.
cheers!
m
Thanks for the advice...
But no thanks, since most of us are already on a vacation, I better not spoil the party.
And ya, will read the book sometime.
And finally, hope u guys enjoy the vacation...
Tc...
I am going to play devil's advocate here.
Let's assume that all your arguments are explanations are valid.
Your position is that if we keep quiet about Islam's role in world terrorism, then we are condoning them.
I say that if we constantly criticise and blame the Islam, it will only make matters worse. Muslims will feel more alienated and discriminated, their extremists will continue to instigate the youth resulting in more terrorist activities, Hindus will retaliate, more lives will be lost...the cycle of bloodshed will continue.
My position:
I will speak up against intolerance, hatred and discrimination against other humans whenever I see or hear it.
Sorry Pooja, it is time that Devil and I took our debate elsewhere or we may go on till you come up with a new blog entry.
I sense a subtle change in your view.
But you can always treat symptoms with medicines, but one must diagnose and cure the root cause to treat the disease.
You can speak " against intolerance, hatred and discrimination against other humans whenever you see or hear it "
You can prescribe maximum punishment for acts of terror, but you still cant stop them...
Until these rivers of poison that brew these potions of hatred and ill-will, whatever religious garb they wear, are isolated...
And thanks for being realistic enough to think about the truth, even as an assumption...
Tc..
"Until these rivers of poison that brew these potions of hatred and ill-will, whatever religious garb they wear, are isolated..."
The poison my friend is in crusading against islam.
Because Islam is not a bad religion. it is just largely misinterpreted.
Like i misinterpreted the message of the Geeta for you.
It is poisonous to crusade against Islam because if you attack their faith it is only going to be easier to drive them against you.
You can't undo a relegion. You can undo hatred.
this blog was supposed to b lite and full of fun.
mousee
Your comments smack of cowardice & intellectual escapism.
The comments are absolutely immature and simply emotional...
Pooja, I expected a better argument than these motherly prayers ...
"Whatever crime they do, plz dont crusade against them...
Let them do what they want...Lets mind our own business.
Lets act like we are living in harmony, even when they turn to extremism.
Please dont interfere...dont blame them...dont try to correct them...
Please keep ur eyes closed, mouth shut and mind on vacation...
Let them be..."
I have a serious doubt, are you in love with Islam.
Any way,
Now I can see how you manage to "See Things Clearly" ...
Tc..
But to clear that, I am neutral to Islam wheras you, i can see, have formed strong opinions.
Regarding extremism...they are turning to extremism at about the same rate at which hinduism is turning to fundamentalism.
So, there is no point in attacking ismal or hinduism.
If you are concerned about innocent killings (terrorism), do something to spread the message of love and peace amongst people irrespective of your or their relegion.
You, on the other hand exhibit and spread anger and hatred. That can only add to the harm.
Mothers are usually right. So, listen to my prayers.
I have no problem with you continuing wiht this debate...
Please be my guest... :)
1.no religion is evil.all preach positive actions n thoughts
2.all religions have at some time or the other been misinterpreted by rabble rousers to instigate the gullible [BPL ie below poverty line type or in other words-broke,blind believer;uneducated] to achieve vested intrests.
3.poverty is the culprit& cause of almost all evils in society: NOT religions;when ever there are hartals or processions or any anti- social acts by mischief-mongers hoards of the BPL type people pour into the city from the outskirts,irrespective of caste or creed coz of the lure of the lucre:not the CAUSE.[they r paid rs 100/head.
4.do distinguish n differenciate between the handiwork of mischief-mongers[misinterpreter of religious doctrines to incite the mob] & the religions.
5.all religions r a source of souccor to its followers.period..
6.most followers r born into a religion[ no choice].are initiated into it,&stay in the herd.
7.danish cartoon:salman rushdie:fatwa==sita saraswati:m f hussain:shivsena---people with vested intrests ie ALL.
8.jihad:islam; crusades:christainity;south india was once a thriving centre of buddhism[thanks to ashoka] n jainism;but today hinduism has almost eliminated them & i can bet blood did spill.
9.LTTE, ULFA,IRA u name it r allpeople who feel supressed ,cornered ,& pressurised.some times they may be wrong[arn't we all at some time or the other;THEN we should treat them like a wayward ward-NOT like outcastes,whoshould be ostercised.
10.the religion of a wayward & his misdeed should not be linked,period.
11.all religious scriptures promote good-will&harmony & must be revered & interpreted properly [like the story of the 1/2 empty or 1/2 full glass of h2o].BASICALLY it depends on your frame of mind-what u interpret it as!there lies Enlightment!!!
12.Religion IS an imp byproduct of the devpt of human[as against the animal]brain .like nuclear energy. both have heavy potential, positive and negative, and must be used with an enlightenment. so,both are here here to stay,irrespective of any of us ack its presence or not; so trying to block it out would be like the cat licking cream with closed eyes.
13.all religions CAN n MUST co-exist,amicably n harmoniously.
14.what if ram is the sibling of jesus,allah,buddha,-,-,-,-,-[u fill as many as u want]-makes it easier to comprehend & achieve eh??
15.its our world- we can make it or mar it-make the learned& enlightened choice`N` we r well on our way to utopia!!!!! make it a better place for u & 4 me & the entire human race to quote michael jackson!!!!!!!!!
p.s how many of u think-tanks exercise your franchise??imp contrbution to our utopia!!the indian inteligencia is greatly wanting on this score !
scratch..scratch..die
@Pooja: Never argue with a fool, he will drag you down to his level and beat you at his game.
Reading your "opinions" on islam urged me to write this comment myself being a muslim and all. I am only 14 but it stil troubles me that you should have such negative thoughts about islam. If you do in depth research on islam you will see that islam does not promote violence and in fact is all about peace. In fact islam is derived from the arabic word salam which means peace literally. Realigion-wise it means total submission and obedience to god. Furthermore i would like to say that in contrast to what you say,muslim children are not taught to kill and thats it. I was taught to respect all religions and individuals but to also protect my religion by showing and teaching them true islam.Also our Holy prophet did not go around killing all his clans because they were non-belivers in reality it was they who persecuted and tortured the little muslims there were. Because the persecution was so great they had to emigrate to abyssinia to save themselves. There the king was christian but he was just and he saw the similarity between christianity and islam and so he let them stay and sent the clan leader who had come to take the muslims back back.
You also seem to have a twisted view of Jihad. Jihad is to struggle or strive in the path of God. This does not necessarily mean physically it also can mean mentally. For example striving to wake up for the early morning prayer.
And last of all i would like to say that because of people like you and the media who have a negative approach to islam,the muslim youth will be more likely to become terrorists since you already accuse us of being terrorists though we are not. Besides it has been proven that most terrorists are not muslim. If you were truly a rational and logical person you would not blindly follow the media and other sources which are biased when it comes to islam because at the end of the day whats right is not popular and whats popular is not always right. Thats all for now. Thank you and take care.