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Originally Posted by Theodoric
I'd agree that that particular comment is stupid. However, I would claim that history gives examples of wars that have been caused by religion. Specifically, I'd quote:
1) The Wars of Religion in 16th Century France.
2) The Hussite wars of the 15th Century.
3) Dare I mention it, yes, go on! The Cusades.
Now, it can be argued that the real cause of these wars was not religion, but such things as economics etc. I'd be prepared to consider this as a possible explanation for the Crusades, eg land hunger of younger sons of European nobility, but I believe that the French religious wars (the Huguenots vs the Catholics) had a genuine religious component.
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As you'll be aware I've never said that religion has never had an involvement in wars and yes, the Crusades were were pretty grime times but then again, they were Catholics who, it could be argued have been known for promoting more than a degree of self-interests.
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In which case you're making as big a mistake as the "armchair experts" whom you decry, just from the opposite direction.
They say "oh, it stands to reason that all Muslims are terrorists", but by saying nothing because you don't have "the full facts" means that you can't (or won't) say "but, hang on, are you sure that they *all* are? Surely some of them deserve the benefit of the doubt"
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Yes of course they deserve the benefit of the doubt but you are implying something by my silence! I have not given my opinion on Muslins/Islamics because I would prefer to be more knowledgeable before
commenting however I will agree that such knowledge is not required to
question - that's how I learn about such things.
And I would like to distance myself from the comments made by Ann Coulter et al in your post - extremist views from anyone in authority will never do any good.