Originally posted by ChurlantReally? I was of the impression that most religions were reasonably peaceful, I am not dabbling in sarcasm, so maybe I am simply naive. The reason I singled out Islam was because it was indeed built on force. From it's origins in Western Saudi Arabia, it was spread almost exclusively by the sword. As far as I am aware, no other religion is like that, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Very few religions are not built on force. George Sand was either dabbling in sarcasm, or she was being naive.
-JC
Originally posted by princeoforangeDo the Crusades ring a bell at all?
Really? I was of the impression that most religions were reasonably peaceful, I am not dabbling in sarcasm, so maybe I am simply naive. The reason I singled out Islam was because it was indeed built on force. From it's origins in Western Saudi Arabia, it was spread almost exclusively by the sword. As far as I am aware, no other religion is like that, but please correct me if I am wrong.
-JC
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Originally posted by ChurlantRighto, I'll give you that Catholicism, (though not Christianity) which is the religion of the crusades, has a violent past, however it was not built on force, at least not on offensive force. Catholicism originated in 534AD when the Huns were invading the Roman Empire and the Emperor asked the Christian bishop of Rome for support. The bishop of Rome siezed this opportunity to claim dominance over all Christendom, and later over most of the then existing world, and called himself the "pope". This corruption of the Christian religion was rectified at the Protestant Reformation - a non-violent movement which protested (hence "Protestant) against the abuse, corruption and misrepresentation of the Christian religion and proposed reform (hence "Reformation) to the original principles, practices and beliefs of the early Christians. The Inquisition was consequently set up, primarily in an effort to crush the Protestant Reformation, but also to put down Islam and Judaism, and this is another potent argument in favour of the view that Catholicism was, and is, (leopards do not change their spots) a violent religion. The fact remains, it was not built on force.
Do the Crusades ring a bell at all?
-JC
Originally posted by princeoforangeI'm uncertain it is such a simple task to separate Catholicism from Christianity.
Righto, I'll give you that Catholicism, (though not Christianity) which is the religion of the crusades, has a violent past, however it was not [b]built on force, at least not on offensive force. Catholicism originated in 534AD when the Huns were invading the Roman Empire and the Emperor asked the Christian bishop of Rome for support. The bishop ...[text shortened]... o not change their spots) a violent religion. The fact remains, it was not built on force.[/b]
I am inclined to agree that the Protestant movement(s) were much less intrinsically violent, however in any war it always takes two. The Thirty Years' War, among others, is a point of contrast.
Additionally I would consider the continued suppression and abuse of women as inherently "violent" acts - a history even Protestant faiths can't escape.
-JC
Originally posted by ChurlantAnd the Protestants were eager witch hunters, too.
I'm uncertain it is such a simple task to separate Catholicism from Christianity.
I am inclined to agree that the Protestant movement(s) were much less intrinsically violent, however in any war it always takes two. The Thirty Years' War, among others, is a point of contrast.
Additionally I would consider the continued suppression and abuse of women as inherently "violent" acts - a history even Protestant faiths can't escape.
-JC
So, we are expected to see Muslims as a single, monlithic bloc of people, who all act the same way.
Christianity, on the other hand, has different strands, some of which are particularly bad too. Coincidentally that would mainly be the brand of christianity which Poo has a particular issue with.
Methinks Poo's personal bigotry is showing again...
Originally posted by princeoforangeYou also forget that Alexander the Great and other Roman conquerors were responsible for the widespreading of Christianity too, if I'm not mistaken.
Really? I was of the impression that most religions were reasonably peaceful, I am not dabbling in sarcasm, so maybe I am simply naive. The reason I singled out Islam was because it was indeed built on force. From it's origins in Western Saudi Arabia, it was spread almost exclusively by the sword. As far as I am aware, no other religion is like that, but please correct me if I am wrong.
Originally posted by NordlysLets not forget the treatment of the settlers in Utah when the Mormans started their push to power. You may have heard about the mormon attacks on farmers where the whole family was killed by people trying to pass themselves off as 'Indians' to drive out the REST of the settlers so they could come in and just take over the land.
And the Protestants were eager witch hunters, too.
Worked Too.
Then again there is the Islamic Jihads, such nice people, that bunch. I have personal dealings with those thugs.
Originally posted by sonhouseBurning Catholics in England under the Protestant Church there.
Lets not forget the treatment of the settlers in Utah when the Mormans started their push to power. You may have heard about the mormon attacks on farmers where the whole family was killed by people trying to pass themselves off as 'Indians' to drive out the REST of the settlers so they could come in and just take over the land.
Worked Too.
Then again the ...[text shortened]... s the Islamic Jihads, such nice people, that bunch. I have personal dealings with those thugs.
If there is a slight difference in the level of violence it is because Protestantism was created at a much later, less violent time than the Dark Age.
Originally posted by princeoforangeThe Ottoman Empire (at its peak containing Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Albania, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Aden, Kuwait, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Iraq, Yemen, Tunisia, Algeria, Cyprus, large parts of the Ukraine, Crimea, Caucasus, Armenia and Georgia) was run by a Moslem Sultan and yet it contained large Christian areas that were allowed to go about their religion as they wished.
The reason I singled out Islam was because it was indeed built on force. From it's origins in Western Saudi Arabia, it was spread almost exclusively by the sword. As far as I am aware, no other religion is like that, but please correct me if I am wrong.
When was it that Islam was supposed to have had this militant expansion?
