Islamic Militancy's Toxic Effects on Indonesians...

Using backward logic that it is acceptable to kill anyone anywhere, militants in Indonesia are recruiting uneducated young men in poor villages to do their satanic dirty work. Promises of heavenly rewards, again play a role in attracting these boys into blowing themselves and other innocent Indonesian citizens into smithereens. Indonesians are questioning this sick ideology.

Among the promises made to the would-be bombers is that martyrdom is a fast track to heaven - not just for them, but for 72 of their relatives, he and others say.

Such a message would resonate with many young men whose families have lived for generations in the same poor village and see little hope of ever making something of themselves, said Solahudin Wahid, vice chairman of the country's largest Islamic organization Nadhlatul Ulama.

"Some of these young men don't have a deep knowledge of Islam and can easily be brainwashed into militancy," he said. "They are easily tantalized. Now it's our turn to teach them. Islam is not like that. Muslims are not allowed to attack if not attacked themselves."

Parents in these villages see these despicable suicide acts not as a badge of honor but as a risk to their families as others in the Arab world should recognize...

"As a father, what was happened with Aip has made me very worried. Can terrorists do the same to my son?" said Yayat Suhayat, a neighbor and father of three.

"All parents here have learned a very important lesson. We have to keep a closer eye on our children. ... We can't lose contact with them for even one day."

Maybe Indonesians are more thoughtful and tolerant of others than their Muslim Arab brothers but at least are more concerned about the welfare of their children.