From: "Tanj" 

As for Christianity in the Middle Ages, I think all churches are basically
secular entities and capable of being nasty if they are powerful.  Even
Budhist sects, which come from roots as tolerant and pacifist as any
religion, have had murderous and tyrannical forms.

So I don't see Islam as particularily similar to the Christian Middle Ages
(not to mention the much more horrifying Catholics of the Renaissance) but
rather a church (or group of churches, since it varies by region) that are
best looked at for themselves, not simply as ciphers.

- Tanj

"Randall Parker"  wrote in message
news:MPG.13cd0d458d5c4e4a98a879{at}news.barkto.com...
> It just gives you pause? Nothing stronger than that?
>
> To me this indicates that Islam is like Christianity of the Middle Ages.
> What's worse, they don't have any way to reform it without ignoring parts
> of the prophet's message. At least with Christianity they can use a
> single statement by Jesus as a way to be selective about the Old
> Testament.
>
39635057$1{at}w3.nls.net>, Tanj{at}akiben.com says...
> > But Islam does not separate church from state for the fundamental reason
> > that the Prophet was also head of a state, as was his nephew who was
also a
> > key figure in doctrine.  While I am quite partial to Islamic teaching,
that
> > part gives me pause.  For me religion is a personal experience, and
unifying
> > with the state is an oxymoron.
> >

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