Pipes analysis is close, but it misses on the religious side.
Christianity, as epitomized by the Roman Catholic Church during the Middle Ages, did NOT change. The Roman Catholic Church changed when confronted with the Protestant Reformation.
One needs to go no further than the documents which founded this country to see that individual freedoms were seen to be given from God, not from government. This inspiration came from Christian dogma and a firm belief in divine providence. This belief in divine providence is not evident in the religion of Islam.
In any case, unlike the Koran, slavery, divine right of kings, is NOT codified into Christian doctrine. Therefore, the Church; i.e., ALL Christian denominations, can coexist with various governmental organizations.
“In any case, unlike the Koran, slavery, divine right of kings, is NOT codified into Christian doctrine. Therefore, the Church; i.e., ALL Christian denominations, can coexist with various governmental organizations.”
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Good points. You must be a John Locke fan...
Two other thoughts:
1) Christianity grew up and flourished with a heritage of Graeco-Roman thought, much of wich was democratic or republican. And depite ancient and medieval religious and political hierarchies, there were frequently votes taken amongst peers (e.g., ecumenical councils, or lords petitioning a king). Islam does not have such a heritage.
2) Christianity grew up and flourished with a heritage of Graeco-Roman self-criticism. In every age there were outlets for critiques of leaders' policies as well as examination of consciences by individuals. Self-doubt and self-criticism is a Western mainstay which has no counterpart in Islam.