In
the 7th century the explosive expansion of Islam reduced "Christendom" by
half.
Twice the ruin – or a new civilization?
With a Jewish
father (stern patriarch) and a Christian mother (obsession
with guilt and heaven) it is not surprising that Islam
grew up a bit of a tartar. But for centuries, while
Christian Europe stumbled in darkness, the Arab-Muslim
empire carried the torch of civilization. After an era of brilliance, the Islamic world passed
that torch to Europe and fell into sterile despotism from which it has never recovered.
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Not All Desert |
Arabia
the Happy – Life
Before Islam
Early civilizations arose in many parts of Arabia , long
before Judaism, Christianity or Islam. Islam arose as
an adaptation of old ideas, not something new.
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Bare-breasted dancing girls decorate an 8th century caliph's palace. |
Who
Saved Civilization? – Damascus
Spring
Far from imposing
a severe theocracy the early caliphs were tolerant, even
urbane.
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Islam: Final
Revelation – or Ultimate Heresy?
Part
One
Despite
the mutual hostility, from the first Islam endorsed
a great deal of Judeo-Christian theology and adopted
many of
its
practices.
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Islam: Final
Revelation – or Ultimate Heresy?
Part
Two
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Who
Saved Civilization? – Baghdad
Summer
In its heyday, from the Atlantic
to Central Asia Islam produced scholars and refinement. |
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Seeding
the Renaissance – Science
and Islam
Europe's
recovery owed a huge debt to Islamic civilization.
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Extinguishing
the Light – Wrath
of God
Battered by both
East and West the early enlightenment failed and theology triumphed.
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Some fifty articles are now available as a book.
For your copy order:
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