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To: mishedlo who wrote (106221)	1/8/2010 1:02:02 PM
From: Little Joe	3 Recommendations Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 116555

My answer would be because unlike Christianity they never experienced a reformation and the resulting separation of churh and state. Imagine how different our society would be if there had been no reformation or Henry VIII. If we were still willing to wage war in the name of religion. If the Catholic Church could issue all kinds of orders which were taken seriously. If it still raised armys and waged war and if we all believed as fervently in Catholicism as the Muslims believe in their religion. The world is much different. Islam has not made the transformation. lj

To: mishedlo who wrote (106221)	1/8/2010 2:13:34 PM
From: Unalakleet	4 Recommendations Respond to of 116555

The better question is why do Americans show such amazing religious tolerance? Religious intolerance and religious wars have been the rule for thousands of years, yet America has managed to avoid it for two hundred and some years. This is shocking, especially given the size of the United States and the millions of people from varied cultures practicing every religion under the sun. I mean shocking. Say what you want about America, but religious pluralism is one of its most remarkable achievements. And Little Joe is right. Americans are so secular that we can't understand cultures that aren't. Try to imagine the Mormons of Salt Lake City organizing crusades to force the Southern Baptists of Alabama to change their ways? It's inconceivable. But this is what you see in Afghanistan and Pakistan right now. Fortunately, it's a minority of Muslims, but watch your backside. As somebody has already pointed out, many Muslim countries have extraordinary birth rates that are higher than sub-Sahara Africa. There's a whole bunch of young people and they are terribly poor. Having said all this, I actually think that radical Islam is on its way to being defeated. Hawkmoon and others who have served have put it to them. I think Iran will become a friend of America. Iranians are very educated people and their young people want the I-Phone and freedom just like all kids. Afghanistan and Pakistan will continue to be problems, but they will get mopped up eventually.