But WHY did Islam spread so quickly? What was its draw? I guess the question remains today. There is so much about it that is cruel and nonsensical. And the treatment of women so terrible.
I see Islam as a version/perversion of Christianity. Muhammad clearly knows a lot about Christianity. He is not a theologian - he gets things wrong (he could not read or write) - but he takes things from Christianity (and Judaism), clearly. He just adapted it to his audience and makes it more effective for warfare.
an interesting point (4 centuries removed from what this article is discussing but related): I am from Czech Republic; at 10th century, a muslim of jewish background from andalus (at that point muslim) went to Bohemia, and wrote a very long travelogue. You have the sense how part of Europe was seen as backwards; he respected Christianity in a way, but didn't respect widespread paganism here. It's an interesting read.
Certainly it's been said by many that Islam is a combination of Christian heresies, Judaism and Arabic pagan tribal beliefs and superstitions. I think it appeals because of its simplicity and absence of nuance. These are not sophisticated or educated or really civilised people we're talking about in the Arab peninsula in the 7th century.
People will go for something that tells them they are an aggrieved class whose grievances can be justifiably corrected by violence. It's why it makes such great accord with Marxism.
Yes, the constant state of feeling aggrieved/feeling victimized is deadly. One doesn’t have to do any soul searching or make any changes ~ the opposite of Christianity. The desire to dominate completely seems baked into this belief system and weak westerners of our day seem blind to what they are allowing. History repeating itself. It’s no longer the 7th century, and here we are again.
Also, a fairly significant contingent of humanity just doesn't have any problem with violence and conquest, theft, rape and destruction, if they think they can get something they want.
But WHY did Islam spread so quickly? What was its draw? I guess the question remains today. There is so much about it that is cruel and nonsensical. And the treatment of women so terrible.
I see Islam as a version/perversion of Christianity. Muhammad clearly knows a lot about Christianity. He is not a theologian - he gets things wrong (he could not read or write) - but he takes things from Christianity (and Judaism), clearly. He just adapted it to his audience and makes it more effective for warfare.
an interesting point (4 centuries removed from what this article is discussing but related): I am from Czech Republic; at 10th century, a muslim of jewish background from andalus (at that point muslim) went to Bohemia, and wrote a very long travelogue. You have the sense how part of Europe was seen as backwards; he respected Christianity in a way, but didn't respect widespread paganism here. It's an interesting read.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_ibn_Yaqub
I don't think islam treatment of women was that different from the times of Mohamad, but I might be wrong here, I don't know much about that
Certainly it's been said by many that Islam is a combination of Christian heresies, Judaism and Arabic pagan tribal beliefs and superstitions. I think it appeals because of its simplicity and absence of nuance. These are not sophisticated or educated or really civilised people we're talking about in the Arab peninsula in the 7th century.
Thank you!
People will go for something that tells them they are an aggrieved class whose grievances can be justifiably corrected by violence. It's why it makes such great accord with Marxism.
Yes, the constant state of feeling aggrieved/feeling victimized is deadly. One doesn’t have to do any soul searching or make any changes ~ the opposite of Christianity. The desire to dominate completely seems baked into this belief system and weak westerners of our day seem blind to what they are allowing. History repeating itself. It’s no longer the 7th century, and here we are again.
Also, a fairly significant contingent of humanity just doesn't have any problem with violence and conquest, theft, rape and destruction, if they think they can get something they want.
Yes, so true…