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Luca, your suggestion is very good:) but at the time in Christianity's history when it was practiced most consistently, Europe was in the dark ages. This was the same period when Islam was enjoying its Golden Age. Aristotle (the father of logic and reason, which are the foundations of science and rational inquiry) was an extremely popular philosopher. Greek philosophy and reasoning had a profound effect on the culture during this era (roughly 750 - 1200). But eventually, an influential philosopher, Al-Ghazali, who held great sway with the Caliph wrote a series of influential pieces that became the basis for extirpating Aristotle and the Greek influence from the Islamic Empire (at the time Abbassid). And within a few years, it was gone. This is the end of the Golden Age in Islam, and the beginning of their dark ages, which persist today EVERYWHERE in the Middle-East.
At the same time, Aquinas was building the foundation which would permit the rise of Greek philosophy and especially the works of Aristotle in Europe. Viola -- the rennaissance.
The reason they declined was because of religion. It is what in philosophy is called epistemological, meaning it relates to one's approach to how man knows what he knows. During the time that their civilisation flourished, they compartmentalised the religion (which, epistemologically calls for mysticism and faith), and permitted some space for reason (the epistemology of Aristotle). It wasn't their religion that helped them flourish, it was their problem all along. It just so happens that the Umayyad and Abbassid Dynasties (until Al-Ghazali, end of 11th c.) were relatively secular. That is, the religion was there but it was compartmentalised. Saying "all they have left now is their religion," is like looking at a man dying of AIDS and saying, "he used to be the picture of health, now all he has left is his AIDS."
But religion's intent matters little when the ignorant can't read it and are simply told that "this means this" by fanatical leaders. it has probably been subject to more misinterpretation than any other religious tome.
What importance is learning to read when what you are going to read instructs you that man is impotent, reason a curse, that all things must come to you from Allah?(It does but only if we strive and work for it according to Quran) and What is the value of an education if reason is corrupt?
They are being educated there in exactly the manner prescribed by Islam, in subservience to Allah (or whomever steps up to be his spokesman on earth from time to time). Besides that, most of the real fanatics are exactly the most educated ones.
I, for one, do not distinguish between Christianity, Islam, or any of the rest except in one regard: Christianity had Thomas Aquinas, on whose theory a role for reason was carved out for life on earth. Before Europe had Aquinas, it had the Dark Ages. Islam has had no Aquinas. Both, taken seriously, are equally dangerous because both, taken seriously, repudiate reason and uphold faith. The problem, in a broad sense, is not Islam but unreason and mysticism. All religions share this. Islam just happens to be the one that takes these aspects most seriously. Once you have inculcated a population with the idea that their own mind is helpless and they must uncritically follow the authority of anything (the Fuhrer, the Imam, whatever), then you have a problem.
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Jul 3, 2008
12:21 AM
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Very true indeed bro Somafia. I feel a fear to educate a young Muslimah from your perspective that I find to be true, for if she speaks the truth she likely to be chastised by her parents, family, or her imam, etc. Because of this I don't think she is ready to kno.
In the same respects, I do not see differentiation in any of the religions of Abraham AS (and to some degree other religions) other than the man made dogma's (even in the "religion" of Islam).
May Allah have mercy upon and protect the truth seekers and speakers, Ameen.
Allah Hafis
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Jul 3, 2008
10:51 AM
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