Yeah, because nothing bad ever happened under the pretense of Christianity....
Except that it was merely a pretense, and not representative of Christianity.
Christianity has not converted anyone by the sword, because that is not the way Christianity converts.
Crusades! Inquisition! Reconquista! Christopher Columbus! Christians did real bad things in the Middle Ages!
Seriously though, there are a number of these reformed jihadis out there on the interview circuit, and the unifying theme is that they all cite conversion to Christianity as the major factor in their decision to renounce terror. Which one is the religion of peace again?
What does it take to get folks like Mike to understand that Islam TODAY is akin to Christianity (and Islam!) some 500 years or so ago. Indeed, in many ways, Islam was much more enlightened in the past than it is now.
Why have other religions PROgressed while Islam has largely REgressed?
I'm not denying the violent history of Islam and violent present for certain intepretations of Islam. My only point is that EVERY major religion has been used and abused for violent means, Christianity more than others.
"Christianity has not converted anyone by the sword."
--I truly think and hope you know better than that. G Rex cites some examples, albeit a very limited number. The Reconquista and resulting Inquisition alone should suffice as an example.
In recent years? Yes, Christianity as a whole has finally got its act together, with the exception of a few fringe elements, but it did have a 600+ year jump start on Islam. What were Christians up to 600 year ago? The Reconquista, getting ready to start the Inquisition and exploration, in which they would convert or kill the "uncivilized heathen" Natives of the Americas.
Seperation of church and state are also new in the Christian world (arguably even within the United States). Finally, even the article clearly differentiates between "radicals and extremists" and the rest of Islam.
Your quick dismissal of the whole religion and blatant acceptance of a "peaceful" Christian history suprised me, primarily because I'm used to more analytic and in-depth thought from your posts.
I would seriously hesitate to call any conversion by the sword a Christian act. In the name of Christianity, perhaps.
Unlike Mohammad, Christ never said "kill and conquer for me."
And in the New World, at least in the Spanish colonies where it had significant influence, the Church was a voice for better treatment of the natives.
Oh, my bad. I forgot - those small-pox laced blankets were acts of kindness to keep the Natives warm...
Certainly, these were not ideally Christian acts. On the contrary, Christians should work to denounce these acts and the dirty laundry in their past. However, ACCEPTANCE is the first step to recovery...
On the contrary, Christians should work to denounce these acts and the dirty laundry in their past.
I think we have. I'll accept that those acts were done by those residing in a Christian society, or even Christians. Afterall, we're all sinners. However, I would hesitate to say that those actions characterized Christianity at any point in history.
And for hundreds of years, Islam was not engaged in violent jihad either; even today, the vast majority of Muslims live peacefully with no desire to blow people up.
And for hundreds of years, Islam was not engaged in violent jihad either; even today, the vast majority of Muslims live peacefully with no desire to blow people up.
The second half I think is probably true, but Islam has been pretty much expanding and jihad-ing since the death of the Prophet.
Once they were defeated in Austria, the Ottoman Empire maintained a peace throughout that region moreso than in any other period.
Of course, in all this it is important to remember that the two largest Muslim populations are not in the Middle East at all but Indonesia and India.
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