Everyone tells us that the Islamic State has nothing — nothing! — to do with Islam, and that if the Islamic State jihadis actually read the Qur’an, they would turn to flower arranging and volleyball. But Collin Gordon was playing volleyball in British Columbia, and tweeted about basketball games and weekend plans, until his tone began to shift, and he began filling his Twitter feed with quotes from the Qur’an, until it was almost exclusively devoted to Islam.
Then he joined the Islamic State. Now, it seems as if he read the Qur’an and became devout, and this led him to decide to wage jihad. But if what the Islamic State is doing really has nothing whatsoever to do with Islam, wouldn’t immersing oneself in the Qur’an actually prevent someone from joining a jihad terror group? That is the mainstream and dominant view. Most analysts simply take it for granted. But Collin Gordon’s experience calls it into question.
It would be refreshing if a mainstream analyst explained why this group that has nothing to do with Islam keeps attracting people who want to devote themselves most totally and unreservedly to Islam. But none of them will.
“Former teammates at B.C. university ‘flabbergasted’ of reports man joined terrorists,” The Canadian Press, September 2, 2014:
KAMLOOPS – One of two brothers from Calgary who reportedly travelled overseas to join a terrorist group in Syria was a quiet but social young man who didn’t talk about religion during a short time playing volleyball at a British Columbia university, say people who knew him at the time.
CBC News reported last week that Collin and Gregory Gordon, two brothers who most recently lived in Calgary, had travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL.
Collin Gordon, who grew up in Calgary and played volleyball for the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, joined the WolfPack men’s volleyball team at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, B.C., in 2008. He dropped out of school the following year.
In a university media package prepared for the 2008-2009 WolfPack season, Gordon is described as an average volleyball player who had good ball control and an excellent vertical jump.
Gordon is quoted in the media package as saying his biggest role model was swimmer Michael Phelps, who he described as “the example of perfection.” He said his long-term goals included operating a small business.
Spencer Reed, who was in his first year on the team that season, said Gordon was a “mellow dude” who was known for throwing parties.
“He just sort of went about his own business,” Reed told Kamloops This Week.
“He was quite well known in the campus community, I think. He was involved in a lot of little projects, quite social, just sort of did things he was interested in.”
Reed said he was stunned when he saw a photo of Gordon accompanying the CBC story about the brothers. Reed sent text messages to other former teammates, all of whom were “flabbergasted,” he said.
Reed said he and Gordon got along, but they weren’t especially close. He never knew Gordon to speak about religion.
“It never came out,” Reed said.
After Gordon dropped out of Thompson Rivers University, he was active in a group called the Kamloops Social Club, which organized parties at local bars.
“He was an interesting character,” said Nate Froese, who operates Joy Factory Films and did some work for the social club.
“He was very driven and ambitious, but he had a hard time following through on things. He had goals in mind and he went after them, that’s for sure.”
A former classmate who asked not to be identified said she remembers Gordon as a very social person.
“I can say that he was really nice, really personable and outgoing,” the woman said. “He was stoked on life.”
A Twitter account that purports to belong to Gordon was filled primarily with posts about basketball games and weekend plans in 2011, when, at least for part of that year, he appeared to still be living in Kamloops.
The tone began to shift in early 2012, when Gordon interspersed his postings with quotes from the Qur’an. By May 2012, his Twitter feed was almost exclusively devoted to religion.
Kamloops This Week attempted to reach Gordon by sending him messages on social media.
He declined an interview, instead writing: “I will consult with my brothers as Allah says to do and then make a decision in your regard.”
When asked whether the allegations against him are true, he wrote: “You would find the truth in the Qur’an.”
Christopher Seguin, vice-president academic at Thompson Rivers University, told Kamloops This Week that he could not comment on the Gordon matter due to privacy issues.
A political science instructor at the university plans to hold a public forum Thursday afternoon, titled: How could a TRU business student be fooled into joining the (ISIL) terrorists?
Maybe by reading the Qur’an — but that is almost certainly a possibility that they will not consider.
John C. Barile says
The Kamloops Kid just made hijra to the Islamic State to teach at the madrassas and to coach, right?
Ivan Bogdanov says
The dude bears a striking and disturbing resemblance to follower-of-satan Al Sharpton. Wondering if any of Al’s unpaid taxes are being channelled to IS?
Remember 9/11.
jihad3tracker says
If JW readers want to send AN ABSOLUTELY CLEAR REASON explaining why our president is so resistant to actually exterminating Islam’s slaughter —
SEND THIS LINK — “OBAMA THE MUSLIM IN HIS OWN WORDS” to every elected official at county, state, federal offices.
OBAMA’S RESISTANCE TO EFFECTIVE ACTION IS EXPLAINED RIGHT HERE . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE9mZCRX2mg
How could we get any clearer a reason ? ? ?
Jax Tolmen says
Just a thought, it seems that a Muslim always becomes incredibly pious just prior to joining/advocating for Terrorism.
The common thread in the MSM/PCMC/Leftist double speak is that terrorists are a “tiny majority”. Why don’t we disprove that? If we were to compare the number of similarly pious Muslims who are “peaceful” to the number that are terrorists – I imagine you would find that there are more terrorists than so-called “moderates”.
How does that make sense? The only other Muslims nearly as pious are Imams and religious/community leaders. When you compare the number of peaceful zealots to the number of violent zealots – I think you will find that the most pious of Muslims are usually the most violent.
A study could be compiled that analyses the rate of adherence to the edicts of the Quran vs support/participation with terrorist or islamist groups. This would destroy the ludicrous notion that Islam is a Religion of Peace.
Champ says
Canada university student begins quoting Qur’an, joins Islamic State
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This evil perp has chosen most unwisely …
Crime in Toronto says
It is all such a waste to think that our footprints actually determine our existence in death. We must all live our life to the fullest right now, before it is too late to enjoy as we will have nothing left.
CogitoErgoSum says
There was a brief period of time in my life when I probably would have agreed with you, but now that I am getting ever so nearer to the end of my existence upon this Earth, I find what you say to be so depressing that if I believed it to be true I think I would no longer be able to enjoy what remains of my life.
MacUalraig says
This post of yours touched me.
I’m not looking to get into a philosophical discussion about this, and I’m not a religious man (although I believe there is an engineer behind the existence of this place we find ourselves in), but I’m convinced there IS a point.
I’m lost for words here, actually.
I’m a youngster to you, probably. But I’m a retired military man, a father to a disabled child, and a husband to a hardworking & patient woman that is probably an angel.
I’ve been around the world at least 10X over.
The revelations I’ve had in my life, the breakthroughs in insight, the overwhelming gratitude I feel in every moment…
Do physicists not tell us that energy cannot cease to exist? Life carries on, death is but a change from this place to another place of OUR choosing. Hell is here and now if we choose it. Heaven is that close as well.
I choose this moment, and life is but a succession of those moments. My mind is my being, and it is a spark of energy that is as eternal as the fire that is the engineer of this place.
I’m sorry, this is no place for my musings, but I blame you and Crime in Toronto.
I’m a broken man on a Pearl Harbor pier. But in this next second, I am a PHOENIX.
R/ RKM
Charli Main says
Off Topic
@ MacUalraig
” I´m not looking to get into a philosophical discussion”
However, I sense that you are a deeply spiritual man, searching for answers to all the mysteries of life, as many of us are—
Perhaps, you could ponder the Epicurean Paradox, a while—-
If God is willing but not able
then HE is not all powerful
If HE is able but not willing
then HE is malevolent
If HE is both willing and able
then why is there evil in the world
If HE is neither willing or able
then why call HIM God
Charli Main says
Off Topic
@ MacUalraig
” I´m not looking to get into a philosophical discussion”
However, I sense that you are a deeply spiritual man, searching for answers to all the mysteries of life, as many of us are—
Perhaps, you could ponder the Epicurean Paradox, a while—-
If God is willing but not able
then HE is not all powerful
If HE is able but not willing
then HE is malevolent
If HE is both willing and able
then why is there evil in the world
If HE is neither willing or able
then why call HIM God
Charli Main says
Sorry, don´t know why double posts keep coming up.
R. K. MacUalraig says
To Charlie Main:
Mahalo for your reply! : My conception of God is different from the tribe I was raised under, although there were renegades… like my mother that encouraged me to ask questions, no matter how stupid I thought they might be.
Religious people believe that “God” desires worship. I think the engineer of this place requires and desires worship as much as a proud and humble mother or father that sees its child equal or surpass them in wisdom requires worship.
I hope my children surpass my insight and achievement, and I don’t want their worship.
I do hope they will honor my path and my sacrifice, one of trillions of their ancestors. Overall I’m here to push the boundaries of my inquires as far as I can, show my LOVE, and fight as hard as I have to TO preserve the freedom of earth’s children to keep questioning.
To pay the opportunity forward for future humans in an environment where morality is not forced but freely chosen…. It is here true knowledge & wisdom is forged, and enlightenment is born.
But I seem to stumble over my words here, Charlie, I apologize, my feeling… my thoughts, it outpaces my capacity to verbalize it. I get to a point where I shiver and shake because I don’t understand, but tears come out of my eyes because of thankfulness that I’m even communicating these thoughts.
The “God” of this world is beyond good & evil, the author of both it is!
Good and evil the sides of the same coin forged by the engineer of this place to govern its creation.
I asked a Christian minister man recently, why would God not want Adam or Eve to eat fruit of the tree of middle of the garden? Because “it was all good” the minister responded, there was no need, in other words, for these beings to inquire, to ask, to search!!
But they did, and this EXACTLY what the engineer desired.
As far as a man or woman is unsettled, said the visionary Emerson, is there any hope for them.
I’m simmering, Charlie, I can’t go on right now. But thank-you for the opportunity to speak further!
Am I a “searcher”?? HA!! I accept this as an honor!
For I AM NOT among the sure!!
Mac says
In short, I cannot answer Epicurus’s question.
But maybe Epicurus could have drank Ouzo with LaoTzu, and there could have been a leap forward.
Maybe there are unwritten philosophies that explain all.
Maybe the truth is within your heart and mine.
CogitoErgoSum says
Mac and Charli: I find your comments touching also. I wish I knew to an absolute certainty why we were all placed on this universe. I think there is something else beyond our current existence but I would be dishonest if I said I knew definitely and without a doubt what will come after death. That is where I must rely upon faith . I refuse to believe life is just an aimless amble to nowhere. I want my journey to be to a place that makes the trip all worth the effort. I don’t want to get where I’m going by having stepped on anyone along the way either but by walking side by side with those I think of as companions. The trip is one we all must make and for some the road is long and for others it’s short. Some get sidetracked and lost along the way. I hope in the end each of us will arrive at the place we deserve to be. I guess for me it is easier to believe there is a God than there is not … that there is justice….. and mercy. I hope you find what comforts you most. Perhaps I’ll see you at the journey’s end. Peace.
Mac says
To CES:
Thank you for the thoughtful reply. My wish, minute to minute, is the same as yours. I ask the Great Spirit to help me be patient with myself and others, to not trample & tread on others, but to be an uplifting presence for those that have to deal with me…
The after this place is a mystery to me as well, I am one of the unsure, among the billions of humans who ARE sure. But I have my humble theory!
No need to wait until journey’s end, Sir. We are companions on this path, trying together to stay in stillness, to smile and help much, listen quietly, and stay in that point we find ourselves in sometimes, where we feel as if we’re not breathing… but being breathed by a force outside of our self.
And then that sense of overwhelming gratitude arises and everything glows and fires! It happened to me just ago I was on my knees crying because of my thanking and my not-understanding, and for the opportunity to inhabit and work and learn in this genius experiment by a scientist whose mind it’s impossible for me to understand.
I’m thankful for this small back and forth this morning. I was less lonely because of you and Charlie, today. It means a lot to me.
MAHALO!
Respectfully,
Mac
tom says
I am getting sick and tired of all the citations of the bible and koran, just look at what’s happening and use your common sense. Let all, all, Muslims who agree with Isis, Al Quaida, Boko Haraam and several other fanatic idiots, just go and give them a ticket, pocket money and blessings. Don’t spend time and more money on persuading them. Throw everybody out who agrees with fanatics. This has nothing to do with freedom rights or freedom of speech. The fundamental intolerance if Islam starts to be known by the big public and it’s about time. How can we allow some thugs decide of what we should believe or not. Get rid of islam and believe in whatever you want
Phinxter says
Why bother giving them the option to harm genuinely innocent people out there in the Middle East and North Africa? Instead of sending these brainwashed savages into the fray, they should be sending them 6 feet under.
MacUalraig says
“I am getting sick and tired of all the citations of the bible and Koran…”
Tom, some people reference their resistance by words from the Bible, renown warriors of old, etc. Let them speak, we all have our audience.
Ignore it and speak YOUR words. Many won’t respond, but some will, and this is how we form our networks and relationships.
Respectfully,
Mac
awake says
You cannot and should not be taken seriously in this community with that moniker. If fact, let me be the first to state that you have been reported to the moderator as a valueless troll who should be expelled immediately.
Good evening.
Champ says
You cannot and should not be taken seriously in this community with that moniker. If fact, let me be the first to state that you have been reported to the moderator as a valueless troll who should be expelled immediately.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exactly. Thank you for reporting him, Awake.
Champ says
BTW, I reported him last night, as well.
Jay Boo says
Good morning Muslim world
It is time again to profess your faith.
“There is no god in Allah
Muhammad was the inventor”
Beagle says
I saw Brit Hume on Special Report say support for the IS “can’t” be great. Wishcasting is not analysis.
Facts: 15% of France in one poll, 92% of Saudi Arabia in another support the IS and find its actions to be in accord with Islamic values.
I respect Brit Hume. He is hardly unique in his overly optimistic view not in accord with the facts.
Jay Boo says
ISIS … is Islam without the veil.
The MSM wishes to add sparkle to this debacle to avoid discussing the rotten core of Islam.
EYESOPEN says
Nailed it again Jay Boo!
Salah says
‘..his biggest role model was swimmer Michael Phelps, who he described as “the example of perfection.”’
Now he’s following another “example of perfection”, the Perfect Man of Islam!!
http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/12/perfect-man-of-islam.html
Tommy Guns says
The reason this guy, as well as many others, join islam is because they’re socially inept and have trouble making friends any other way. They’re the ones who have trouble making conversation. They are constantly averting their eyes while speaking because of insecurities. They have no girl friends and are still virgins at the age of 40. Eventually they become loners and spent most of their day masturbating.
Beagle says
The news is so ominous that two stories can barely get any attention: Libya and Pakistan. Libya has fallen apart, beset by bands of jihadis of every stripe. Nuclear Pakistan is well on its way.
Nothing to worry about. All is well. Can’t imagine any unifying force based in Islamic piety which would gleefully swoop in to provide its own brand of stability in the vacuum. Not to mention find good use for Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal.
pumbar says
Well he hasn’t got the eyes yet (that’ll come soon). But he’s definitely got the gob for it.
Moderate muslims are the ones that want victory by the womb rather than a blunt butcher’s knife.
cliffface says
The message here is do not ever read the qur’an !
You might come out possessed with an evil feeling of self worthlessness with validation to kill or even worse as a radical right winger !
There must be some powerful hoodoo voodoo going on in there.
Western Canadian says
Wrong on all counts. While I have not studied the koran and other islamic (RTC) books in the same depth as our illustrious leader (RS), my reaction as a not too dismal human being from my ongoing study of this vile creed, has been growing contempt and disgust. No urge to murder children, no hatred of jews or christians….. Just a well deserved rejection of everything islam (RTC) is and stands for…. the bent, twisted and ethically/spiritually destroyed members of the cult, the vicious crimes commited in its name…. the filthy hell-holes it creates. If you are not raised in hatred, or pre-disposed to hating your neighbour and your own family…. islam (RTC) will only sicken you, but in a way that makes you stronger. Read the bloody koran, innoculate yourself against islam (RTC).
duh_swami says
Normal people free from any knowledge of Islam at all, do not read Quran, listen to a few sermons, and rush right out to join a group that beheads children…If that happens there is something fundamentally wrong to begin with, and something they read in Quran triggers it. That also means that the Quran is a dangerous book because it does trigger jihad violence. It has the evil power to turn men into ravenous beasts and degrade themselves to low animal behavior.
I don’t think the Quran should be banned, but they should be adults only and come with a warning label…
Undaunted says
How to spot those who are descending into Islam…
http://freemendo.typepad.com/undaunted/2010/03/this-bitch-jihad-jane——jihad-jane-aka-colleen-trailertrash-larose-jihadjane-licking-off-what-the-finger-bowl-missed.html
Myxlplik says
He had probably heard the real Islamic deal was on in the IS. Religiously sanctioned rape, murder, genocide, and 25 dollar Yazidi concubines. What pious Muslim would sprout a spiritual hard on for that, actual Mohammedesue raping and pillaging right here right now.
He was late for the door.
Kevin Selby says
We have the same problem in the UK.A serving soldier beheaded on a London street by Islamists quoting verses from the Quran and our Primeminister says this is nothing to do with Islam!Well I’m afraid the vast majority of the British public know this is everything to do with Islam.Its time our politicians pulled their heads out of the sand and realised that the problem is the book of Hate and nothing else.Islam as no place in a civilized society.
GP says
I wonder what terror mosque recruiting center this fine young Canadian citizen attended?
What do al qeada, boko haram, Hamas, Hezbollah, ISIS, and ISIL all have in common? IS LAM! Wake up and smell the peace.