Quote:
Originally Posted by afchic
My point is that if that is true, then we have no choice but to call for all out war against Islam, in order for our way of life to survive. If that is true, we have now become what we claim to loathe.
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My premise is that we will all end up banding together as the situation develops. In general, we'll probably go with what we're used to, have grown up with, or associate with. In addition, perilous times seem to advance religious activity. So adherence to particular religions will probably increase.
However, I would say that whatever the reasons, ultimately one side or the other must win - so one must lose and be destroyed. It could be that both will be destroyed in the process.
Will we have become what we loathe? Respectfully, I don't think so. History has lots of examples of fights to annihilation - Rome destroyed the Iceans, and there was the church campaign against the Cathars, from which came the phrase "Caedite eos! Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius" – "Kill them [all]! Surely the Lord discerns which [ones] are his". In more modern times, the U.S forcibly reformed both Germany and Japan after the a war. In a religious sense, the Emperor of Japan was required to renounce his supposed divinity. And, of course, the native American population faced substantial modifications to their culture as well.
It's just that we've had the luxury of being more forbearant. We could afford to be generous. My view is that the situation will change - although it won't be comfortable. That means doing all the nasty things that people have done through the ages, and which we prefer not to do - but will when we must.