Can you compare modern Islam to inquisition era Christianity?

[baffle Stack]

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[Army Chief]

You can make any comparison you like, but this could quickly become inflammatory. I'm hopeful that we can all avoid that kind of needless confrontation.

With the up-front disclaimer that I am a Christian that summarily rejects the Islamic tenets of faith, let me say only this: formal, organized religions all suffer from the same problem in that they are administered and governed by men. No matter how noble the intentions, nor how valid the core beliefs may be, the flaws, imperfections, and self-serving tendencies of man still muddle the message all too often.

When we examine periods in history where the Christian church has been involved in oppression or abuses, we needn't look too far into the Bible to see how easily the messages of love and mercy got lost in actual application. The church of Rome was as much involved in the political machinations of the day and in leveraging power for its own purposes as it was in the redemption of souls and the touching of men's lives. Probably even moreso, to be quite honest. Little wonder, then, that we find ourselves paying for these inconsistencies, even now.

Modern-day Islam seems to be struggling with these same archaic tendencies in my view, and whatever we may think about its basic message, it seems clear that politics and power are the only ideals that a great many Imams seem to have much interest in right now. You can make all of the right-wing/fundamentalist comparisons that you like here, but there is a greater problem: if there is a lasting message of hope and reconciliation in Islam, I've yet to see it in action. What I do see is increasing militance and intolerance (even among the various Islamic sects), and I think that these things are reflected in the anger and vengeance that seem to drive our adversaries in the current war on terror.

There is nothing to be served here by making this a thread about comparative theology, so let me quickly summarize by pointing out what I see as one of our more disconcerting problems abroad -- specifically in Iraq. We see ourselves as people of the United States on a mission to help the Iraqi people, which is reflective of our national values. They see us as Christian -- or, just as bad, wholly secular -- invaders, there to impose our will, our values and our faith upon the Muslim world, which is reflective of their religious values. Thus, while we may have purely irreligious aims, to them, we are infidels engaged in an almost completely religious conflict. Add a few unsettling beliefs about the eternal rewards of martyrdom, and take your message to a largely unsophisticated audience that knows only poverty and despair, and you have a recipe for a very long insurgency.

So, is there really a comparison to be made here? In my view, there are definitely some common threads, but any resemblance beyond that is largely superficial.

Chief

[Dozer]

...this forum is full if righty Christians

Being raise Catholic, I cant help but compare today’s Muslims to yesteryears inquisition Christians

Keep in mind that Christians are still terrorists

...why are you a right winger?

Are you here to pick a fight or have a civilized discussion? Do your research and stop assuming you know what this place is about and what king of people congregate here and then maybe someone will engage your childish comments with a dignified response.


S/F
Libardo

[baffle Stack]

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[John_Wayne777]

Keep in mind that Christians are still terrorists. They like to bomb abortion clinics.

Thanks for the update. I'll remember to tell everybody that at Easter services tomorrow. We were planning on having a sunrise service and a breakfast, but since apparently we're so keen on blowing up abortion clinics maybe we can charter a bus.

[9x19]

Consider this a warning. You violated rules 1 & 6. You say you didn't intend to cause a conflict. That makes you incredibly stupid, if so. I won't make that assumption, though you have assumed much about Christians. Your comments are highly offensive to me and many others here. If you feel the need to bash Christians, or anyone else, you are invited to leave and not return. Respect is the operative word on this site. If you don't care to treat everyone that way, you won't be here long.

Read the rules!


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[Dport]

I'll attempt a serious answer here.

Can Islam undergo a reformation? Why did Christianity undergo a reformation? Partly it was a matter of technology and partly it was a matter of education and partly it was a matter of economy.

There needs to be an era of enlightenment in Islamic nations. That means economic and educational reform. Most education in Islamic countries is by rote. Their education systems don't equip their people to cope with the modern world. On top of that, they have little say in their government, and the modern economy isn't compatible with their education system.

Is it any wonder then they look at the modern world with fear? Is it any wonder the extremists long for a world that mirrors the days they perceive as the height of their civilization?

Even if we could wave a magic wand and make things as they should be, there would still be extremism. As you point out there are extremist Christians. There is no denying that fact. There is also no denying the fact there are fewer extremist Christians than extremist Muslims at present.

[Heavy Metal]

Keep in mind that Christians are still terrorists. They like to bomb abortion clinics.

So you are setting up equivilence between an absolute handful of fatalities due to the bombing of abortion clinics by rogue operators and the wanton, state sponsored organized terror that has claimed possibly millions of lives world wide by radical islam?

How on God's green Earth did you think you could make such a stupid, retarded, assinine analogy and not be called on it? Did you take an entire years worth of stupid pills before you thought that one up?

A firecracker and a 20 Megaton nuke are after all both explosives but I never see anyone clueless enough to discuss both at the same time as being remotely equal.

[C4IGrant]

Comparing a SMALL handful (like 5 people) of Christians that attacked abortion clinics (Righteous Anger?) against MILLIONS OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISTS that want to wipe us off the face of the Earth is not a fair comparison my friend.

In the future, please actually try and compare apples to apples.

If this forum is full of "right wing Christians" then we have done something right IMHO.




C4

[Snake RAH]

Remember, just because someone may call himself a Christian doesn't make him a Christian. He has to have the faith and walk the walk.

Bombing abortion clinics isn't walking the walk. Folks like Fred Phelps aren't Christians. They could be, if they leave their evil ways behind and pray for forgiveness.