[Voice in your head]

"...he lays out how Islam rejected intellectualism, philosophy and science about a thousand years ago."

What was the catalyst for this rejection? It was my understanding that early Islamic culture actually started universities (or equivalents) and sought to gather and spread knowledge. However, I have never heard what exactly caused this culture to change and embrance ignorance.

[aimhigh]

The concept of scientific laws was rejected on the basis that God could always do what he wanted, and wouldn't or couldn't limit himself by such laws. Philosophy was rejected at the same time, since it began to reveal contradictions in the Koran. A major Islamic book was published at that time which condemned these things, putting Arabia permanently in the dark ages.