[wildandcrazyrussian]

Wonderful addition to the discussion here. There's always something to learn. I had read that there were Nestorian Christian, Syrian Orthodox, and Jewish presence throughout the oases of the Arabian desert (after all, we know from history that Mohammed's first public act was to massacre the 600-900 Jewish men of Medina and enslave their widows and orphaned children, so it is absurd to claim that 1) (as you pointed out) the "prophet" Mohammed had anything to do with bringing monotheism to Arabia or 2) Mohammed "respected" Judaism and Christianity. He simply invented a new religion and used the force of arms to spread it; and had Islam never been invented by men, I believe that all of Central Asia, the Middle East, Asia Minor, and northern Africa would (STILL) be a wonderful melting-pot area of Christianity, Judaism, and native religions -- as they were before the massacres of the Islamic invaders.

Thanks for the hagiographical lesson.

[stuartcr]

When Muhhammed defeated the people of Mecca, all he destroyed were the idols. He did not kill everyone and enslave the women and children as was standard practise in tribal warfare those days.

[The_Reader_David]

Oh, concerning the hagiography lesson: In obedience to my bishop I am New Calendar. If you are Old Calendar, of course, you'll want to celebrate the memory of St. Harith 13 days hence.