Forward to the Past- Moslem progress---Assessing the Islamist Threat, Circa 1946

Capital Times/Middle East Quarterly ^ | 9-14-06//2-14-1946

[FBD]

I could find only one direct reference that Lewis made about Islam, which he described as "a Christian heresy."

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/cslewis.htm

Some say Lewis references Islam in 'The Chronicles of Narnia' )(the "Calormenes":)

He talks about religious principles in 'The Abolition Of Man'

I did find this info at Town Hall, by By Mona Charen
Friday, December 14, 2001

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"...In "The Abolition of Man," C.S. Lewis argued that no civilization on earth (and he included Islamic civilization) has ever embraced treachery over loyalty, cowardice over courage, lying over honesty. Lewis had not seen Islamism...."

[Donna Lee Nardo]

"...but if the Moslems in the Middle East had not encamped on the bulk of the planet's oil..."

I have never read such a sentiment expressed quite like this. Encamped being the key word.

I know it's a general, sweeping statement, but I am wondering about its absolute accuracy...

[Donna Lee Nardo]

"By other Moslems in most cases."

:) Unfortunately, the original piece does not contain this amplification. Your addition certainly completes the thought.

And...I can see no other factor more central to the Palestinian problem in particular than what you point out...

[Convert from ECUSA]

Very interesting - ping!

[unionblue83]

Great post. Definitely shows that the Greatest Generation had a big leg up on the current one. The policies, procedures and approach to the War itself show the true merit of the American people. I do believe that this generation has the potential to be a great one but we've got some serious soul-searching to do. This is what happens when liberalism takes hold of a society and the silent majority waits too long to stop it.

[AnnaZ]

Amazing stuff here.

[SunkenCiv]

Ping?

[kenavi]

As an aside, were one to examine our South East Asian (spell: Viet Nam) experience during the period from an historical perspective, it could be persuasively argued that, with the 1954 catastrophic defeat of the French in SEA, our role in the region had to play out precisely as it did

The argument that has stuck with me, is that even though we lost in Vietnam, by postponing Communist take-over as long as we did, we saved at least Thailand and possibly those other nearby nations from going Communist. By the time North Vietnam won, China was changing, and Vietnam ended up alone with strategic non-entities Cambodia and Laos. That set the stage for Vietnam's eventual turn towards normality.

Thanks for arguing honestly. We can't criticize if we aren't honest enough to consider the alternative.

[Fred Nerks]

"...there are several factors for the backwardness of the Muslim society. First and foremost is their illiteracy in general and women illiteracy in particular. Another major reason of Muslim fall is the fact that hardly 16% of population is involved in industrial production. It is important to note that 60% of Christian population is engaged in industry. High population growth is another major factor for Muslim backwardness because this rapid population rise neutralizes whatever economic development takes place in Muslim Societies. Human Development Index prepared by UNDP gives a very dismal picture of the status of literacy, health and economy of Muslim nations. In the first 25 best countries listed under HDI (2002), no Muslim country figured in the list. Barring few small oil producing Muslim nations, majority of the Islamic world lies in the middle and low categories of human development, a clear indication that the Islamic nations needs to increase their focus on human development. Latest data (2002) about the Human Development Index (HDI) and Per capita GDP of some of the important and large populated Muslim countries are as follows; http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/status_of_muslim_societies_aroun.htm

[dk/coro]

You bet. Makes one proud to be a Freeper.

Kindest regards.

[Salem]

"The Present Estimate If the Moslem states were strong and stable, their behavior would be more predictable. They are, however, weak and torn by internal stresses; furthermore, their peoples are insufficiently educated to appraise propaganda or to understand the motives of those who promise a new Heaven and a new Earth."

This brings to mind my associate "Steve Omega" and his essay, ISLAM: A Critical Review, posted at my site.

"Unlike the inspirational verses of Isaiah or the advanced rationality of Jesus’ parables, the Koran only offers rote learning. To invest so much time in memorising such lines makes it unlikely for you then to question them. The little children taught to memorise the Koran instead of multiplication tables at the madrassahs (religious schools) have no spiritual maturity that would allow them to form alternative questions. At least the little children learning the parables of Jesus are advancing their understanding of how metaphors and analogies can be used to illustrate deeper spiritual truths.

God has urged us to seek understanding above all else. In Psalms 14:2-3, this is equated with doing good. Hosea 6:6 says Jehovah desires the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings, and Zephaniah, chapter 1:4-6 says he “will cut off…..those that have not sought the Lord, nor enquired for him”.

Consider too, Proverbs 4:7 ‘Wisdom is the principal thing: therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.’ Proverbs is full of such messages. And consider how Solomon pleased God by choosing wisdom over other gifts."

...

Prophets of old (e.g. Habakkuk) weren’t afraid to ask God some insightful questions, and even Jesus seemed to need reassurance that he was doing the right thing. It isn’t a sin to approach God and ask for an explanation. In fact, he seems to prefer it.

However the Koran does not anywhere encourage this personal approach. It constantly exhorts the Muslim to be a slave, a repetitive theme that has no echo in the Bible. We have a God given free will to choose for ourselves. In the Bible there are no references to us being God’s slaves. Just look in any concordance. It actually says the opposite. In Jeremiah 2:14, it poses the question “Is Israel a homeborn slave?” meaning of course we aren’t slaves. We are allowed and probably expected to waver, to choose wrongly and hopefully repent.

The Myth Of The Golden Age of Islam aside, culture is religion externalized and made specific. The intellectual and spiritual slavery of the Islamic world, which is finally translated in violence and terrorism, can be traced back to only one source: the Koran and Islam.

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AMERICA AT WAR
At Salem the Soldier's Homepage ~
Honored member of FReeper Leapfrog's "Enemy of Islam" list.
Islam, a Religion of Peace®? Some links...  by backhoe
Translated Pre-War IRAQ Documents  by jveritas
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....  by PsyOp
"PLAES DO NOT TOCH THE WAR"  by AnnaZ
One FReeper On The Line  by SNOWFLAKE
The Clash of Ideologies - A Review

"It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world." [FReeper Retief]

[AnnaZ]

Makes one proud to be a Freeper.

Yes, there are moments. (LOL)

Best,

[Harrius Magnus]

bumpity

[AnnaZ]

This article glaringly puts it to the lie that this current war is some kind of newfangled Bush production. It's quite stunning, and worthy of a deeper look. After the weekend.

Shabbat Shalom.

[Salem]

You betcha'!  

[Lando Lincoln]

First-rate post. Thank you.

Lando

[Charlespg]

bumb for later read