Let me clarify - when I say Western Civ, I'm including about every "judeo-christian" entity since Constantine... so the brutal, conquering Roman Empire fits, the Holy Roman Empire, the British Empire and its colonialism, the Spanish Empire and its colonialism, Christopher Columbus and his massacres of natives, the European religious wars, WW!, WWII, USA nuking Japan...etc etc. All done by claiming "christians", some by very religious, practising "christians". Again, I concede that more recently Western Civ may not be as murderous...and maybe america too. But historically I think Robert's assertion for a "core respect for life" falters. But don't take this as an attempt to exonerate/whitewash Islam. They're certainly struggling with something heinous, but considering our (Western Civ) history, I actually think there's some hope for the Islamic world. There have been times in Western Civ that the slaughtering parties got to such a point of weariness, that they stopped and signed truces and treaties, etc. I think a lot of Muslim refugees are at that point. That's why they're trying to come Here!Valerie wrote:It's baffling to me then, why SO many countries want to find refuge in the U.S. if we are such a terrible slaughtering people. You'd think if we had that reputation, we wouldn't have countless foreign countries seeking to live here- or maybe that doesn't matter to them- how did we become such a melting pot, and continue to be one? What is so attractive about living in the U.S. to so many? Why did Anabaptists seek refuge here if we didn't have a core respect for life? Makes no sense.Jazman wrote:Maybe more recently, but I'm not sure history shows that. I'll retract if a credible historian says no, but I'd bet "christian" Western Civ has slaughtered as many or more than non-Western Civ has...Robert wrote: I am not saying everything western culture does it right, but there is a core respect for life that does drive it.
RECENTLY we do not have a core respect for life when you look at the abortion statistics.
Here's why I responded to Robert the way I did; I'm just weary of the white, European judeo-christian ivory tower/pedestal we insist on clambering up onto. I think it distorts our capacity to empathize, understand and love as Christ would have us do. I think it puffs up our egos and makes us feel better about ourselves than maybe we should. I think it gives us excuses and justifications for things that maybe God despises?