Wow. It was interesting hearing you all argue with David Matthews and pretty much argue yourselves to the point where you were disagreeing with Spencer’s book. Now I have not read Spencer’s latest book, but from what I know about Spencer’s writings, he was probably arguing that Christianity is fundamentally a peace loving religion and that Islam is not.
Now what you all argue is that Christianity does allow violence in certain cases of defending one’s self/nation. Well, if this is the case, then Islam and Christianity are not really that different when it comes to violence, and thus you all who argued that Christianity allows violence refute Mr. Spencer’s thesis. EVERY religion can be misinterpreted to condone any type of action and that sadly is what is happening in Islam today. However, it still does happen in Christianity too. How many times have Pat Robertson, John Hagee, and their followers call for the bombing of Iran in the name of religion? These are the same people who openly supported attacking Iraq. And for what? We weren’t defending ourselves. Iraq never attacked the US and didn’t have biological and chemical weapons! (And they never would have if our Christian President Reagan did not give them to Iraq.)And these people say they follow Christ’s teachings of peace? Now that is Christianity in today’s world, not even touching on history!
People always say that the history of the Middle East is one of bloodshed and violence. Which granted it is. But is it more violent than Europe until recently? Violence committed in the name of religion was extremely prevalent throughout Europe. Against non-believers and infidels as they were called in the Christian West. Jews and Muslims were forced to convert, were killed, or forced to flee when Christian Spain took over Al-Andalusia. Not to mention the great amounts of violence between Catholics and Protestants. Before that even, there was the Crusades, which were the ultimate expression of Christian sanctioned violence and aggression against both Muslims and other non-European Christians. Also, Christian nations went on a world-wide expedition of spreading Christianity and “civilization” through colonial exploits. All because they believed that their Western, Christian values were superior to the rest of the world.
The atomic bombs and fire bombings in Japan were acts of terrorism. They were operations specifically targeting civilians. Those bombings killed more innocent people than Al-Qaeda and any other terrorist organization have killed and probably will ever kill. Moreover, the Japanese were about to surrender and the atomic bombs were dropped as a power play against the Soviets. But yet America is the peace-loving country? The American economy is based on the vast military industrial complex and war. Without war and the need for weapons millions of people would loose their jobs and Americans would loose a lot of money. That sounds like good incentive to work for peace to me!
Anyways, my point is that Muslims and Muslim nations are not any more prone to committing violence than Christian people or nations. Spencer’s thoughts are based on a hatred and fear of Muslims which he is quickly spreading throughout the US. I wonder how many people who read his book will actually meet Muslims and learn the truth as opposed to reading his drivel.
