No, I did, as part of my answer to Soliton’s proposition that “Muslims are just as likely to be right as the Jews and Christians.” In suggesting a test of that assertion, I asked who was it, Christian or Moslem, that now eschews slavery and who was it, Christian or Moslem, that lead in the drive to abolish the institution, and who was it that still follows the practice and even defends it. You interjected yourself into the conversation at this point (which is fine - your thoughts are always welcome – but it’s rather poor of you to then complain that you didn’t start the conversation as though that was of some relevance). You wandered about a bit, even suggesting a divertimento presumably in the hopes that I would go galloping down your sidetrack, but, when I didn’t, you could not, in the final analysis, bring yourself to answer the question.
”I didn't start the discussion of how wicked the adherents of a religion can be.”
You Didn’t!? It seems to me that was what your entire message # 498 was all about. We must think that it was, in fact, the sole reason for your participation. You even went so far as to hint that it actually was Charles Darwin who ended slavery in Western Civilization.
”I merely point out the the wickedness of religious adherents is proportional to the amount of worldly power they wield.”
Which thought brings us around to the question of the degree of influence Christianity has had on America, which you haven’t yet answered. Since the collective wisdom de jure is that America is unreservedly and irretrievably evil, then it must be that Christians have had, and do now have, a great hold on the American imagination.
”You implied Christianity confers some special worldly moral force, and I point out this is nonsense.”
Whoa, just a moment. Now you’re suggesting that Christianity has had no influence on America. Decide. A great influence, or no influence at all . . . Oh, wait, I know . . . if it’s something ‘bad,’ blame it on those evil Christians . . . if it’s something ‘good,’ deny that any credit should accrue to Christianity. Then your only problem is to get everyone to agree on what is ‘good’ and what is ‘bad.’
Some Christians were against slavery, some for it. Some Christians faught to abolish slavery, aome fought for it. Reverend Berkeley, the guy the liberal town is named after, was a Christian apologist for slavery.
It’s funny you chose to compare with Moslems and not Jews. Jews have been responsible for much less death and destruction than Christians. By your logic, their religion would be the true one, and they deny Christ was the messiah.