.. bad name. I'm trying to wrap my hands around the concept of 'religion' on display in the middle east and north africa. By comparing and contrasting it to the type of religion I see on display in the United States and most of Europe. Modern day Christians have their faith, their beliefs, and their holy book, the Bible. They believe what they believe, and most of them keep it to themselves. Some make it their mission to spread the word of that religion to others, but by and large it is a peaceable and friendly proposition. If somebody disagrees with their views, or makes a film that mocks Jesus Christ, God, or the concept of Christianity, they shrug their shoulders and move on. They may disapprove of the film (The Life of Brian for instance, or The Last Temptation of Christ, or Dogma, for instance), and even speak out against it, but nobody gets attacked or killed. Modern day Muslims have their faith, their beliefs, and their holy book, the Quran. They believe what they believe, and judge harshly those who don't believe precisely they way they believe. It is a tenant of their faith to make it their mission to spread the word of that religion to others, and the end goal is to wipe out all other religions and infidels. Their women are subjugated and treated like chattel. If somebody disagrees with their views, or makes a film that mocks Muhammed, Allah, or the concept of Islam, they react violently. People unrelated to the film get attacked and killed. Embassies are ransacked and destroyed. I mean, what the hell? Does this approach make sense? I know that to an atheist, NO religion makes sense, but come on. .
I'm glad you are wise enough to discern a difference between Christianity and Islam. I think there are far too many atheists who like to lump all religions together as if we're all the same. The fact is, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists pretty much get along with each other. Its been hundreds of years since any member of these religions has killed or fought a war for religious reasons.
The ME is largely a 16th century oriented civilization living in the 21st century only because of their oil revenue. Also...Christians have learned tolerance over the centuries. Islam has not. Their thinking is still along the lines of the 16th century where religion and public rule are one in the same. This does not allow tolerance of other faiths.
