[Vision2020] Christ is Commander-in-Chief

[david sarff]

Hi Gary,
Many people seem to be fingering Muslims as being more violent than other 
peoples.  I am trying to understand where the solid ground is for that kind 
of accusation. Are you saying that defining ones spiritual life through 
interpretations of the Quran vs. other religious beliefs raises ones ability 
to consider and insight violence ?
Or are there more territorial and social cultural issues that underlie this 
issue. To me, there are peoples from certain parts of the world, where Islam 
just happens to be the predominating religion that are acting against what 
they perceive as serious outside interference. There is a struggle against 
overbearing imperialistic interests and land occupations. The 
destabilization in the middle east is fraught with complexed property 
disputes. The Dome of the rock on top of Solomon’s temple is a good example.
It may be that  Abrahamic based religions can be co-opted easily by zealots 
to support their own cause, and so these are used  as a crutch. I can agree, 
that happens. But that does not make the religion itself the force driving 
violent activity. I can agree that there is a lot of violence stemming from 
a part of the world where Islam is the predominant religion. But is it 
really Islam that’s the problem, or is it something else? I think its 
something else and using Islam as an identifier for a foundational 
explanation of the problem is wrong .  Please help me more clearly 
understand your concept of Muslim associated violence.
Dave



>
>"Gary Crabtree raised that issue and I thought that his historical summary 
>was so off the mark that I needed to respond."
>
>Mr. Gier, In your response you cherry pick statistics for the early years 
>of Islam to place Christianity in the most unfavorable light (absolutely no 
>surprise there), totally overlook muslim on muslim violence, and totally 
>ignore muslim belligerence in the modern era. Numbers are always subject to 
>debate but I stand by my original statement. As others have rightly pointed 
>out, It's a silly and pointless argument especially when separated from the 
>original topic.
>
>Sorry it took so long to respond. Till it was brought to my attention in an 
>off list post, I was unaware of your attempt to set me straight. It pains 
>me to admit that I (and I suspect many) delete any post of yours that runs 
>more then a paragraph of two. I also avoid ***.class.uidaho.edu/ngier along 
>with ***.newwest. with the same diligence I apply to insurance come ons and 
>porn sites. Life is just too short to do justice to the wonder which is you 
>and I'll not insult you by starting now and only be able to devote my 
>remaining 40/50 or so years to the task.
>
>g

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