[ShepherdsDog]

The violence in Afghanistan existed when the culture was Buddhist as well, so Islam can't be blamed for their reputation. The tribes inhabiting Afghanistan turn on each other when there are no foreign invaders.

[GreenTiger]

What ever happened to the Islamic Golden Age?

[Gunnair]

BartSimpson wrote:

Gunnair wrote:

It is the way it is, but one can examine if that is an inherent trait of Islam, an inherent trait of Persian culture or both. I put it out there that it's as much, maybe more, cultural and religion than simply religion.

Oh, I totally agree with you. Islam neatly dovetails with the local cultures. Frankly, had Islam come along prior to Christianity I suspect that Europe would've been a fearsome Islamic power.

Can you imagine the Germans as Muslims? Or the Russians?

Read back just a bit in time and recall what they were doing when they were Christian.

Christianity and Islam and all of their violent rhetoric and theology imprint very well over cultures that already have ingrained culturally violent tendencies.

What the Scots (Christians I might add) used to do to each other 15 generations ago when they were still in their tribal heyday ain't all that much different than what we see in Afghanistan today.

[Proculation]

GreenTiger wrote:

What ever happened to the Islamic Golden Age?

Sinbad the Sailor..

[ShepherdsDog]

Quote:

What the Scots (Christians I might add) used to do to each other a 15 generations ago when they were still in their tribal heyday ain't all that much different than what we see in Afghanistan today.

damned barbaric hill tribes highlanders

[Gunnair]

ShepherdsDog wrote:

Quote:

What the Scots (Christians I might add) used to do to each other a 15 generations ago when they were still in their tribal heyday ain't all that much different than what we see in Afghanistan today.

damned barbaric hill tribes highlanders

Yep. The power of bit and gallows, fire and sword, are universal and independent of the religion laid over them.