SURVEY: ISLAM AND THE WEST: The next war, they say

The Economist ^ | Aug 4th 1994, From The Economist print edition

[JohnHuang2]

[xm177e2]

Jews and Muslims still shoot each other in Palestine

Doesn't the Economist mean "Israel?"

I still remember their cover, "Sharon's Israel, the World's Worry."

The Economist hates Israel... it's a European publication, what can I say?

[Cool Guy]

Way kewl. Thanks a lot, JH2 :)

[RLK]

Islam isn't going to change. It is an obsessional psychosis that dominates every aspect of adherent's lives. It's all Islamics have developed.

[Cool Guy]

Lets see where can we start?

In Europe, Bosnian Muslims have for more than two years been brutally harried by Serbs who are theoretically Christians. On the border between Europe and Asia, Christian Armenians have thumped Muslim Azeris, admitted with rather more provocation, and Jews and Muslims still shoot each other in Palestine. Farther east, Muslims complain of the Indian army's brutality to them in Kashmir, and of Indian Hindus' destruction of the Ayodhya mosque in 1992. Such experiences tend to make Muslims think the world is against them. If it is, then they are against the world. Hence the xenophobia that gets foreigners murdered by Koran-quoting terrorists in Algeria and Egypt. Islam, as Samuel Huntington, a professor at Harvard University, has put it, has bloody borders.

Since 1994, nah, since 700 A.D. it is our fault that they are at war with their neighbours.

[Cool Guy]

Islam isn't going to change.

If Islam is not going to change, either the west has to change or islam has to live in isolation or Islam bites sand. I think, WEST and Islam will try to co-exist, if it still does not work, I am sure, West is not going to change. So to survive, either Islam will change or go dorment or even act changed for a while.

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks for the heads up, CG =^)

[RLK]

In Europe, Bosnian Muslims have for more than two years been brutally harried by Serbs who are theoretically Christians.

-------------------------

The Muslems were the original invaders. The Serbs have niver forgotten it or given up on attempts to expel them.

[ikka]

Look carefully at the pop'n growth rates, then at the GDP growth.

It is quite obvious that in many countries, the GDP growth is less than population growth, which means there is less money to go round than there was before.

[Clinton's a rapist]

Islam will go the way of State Shinto and National Socialism, and for the same reasons. If this bioterrorism thing ramps up, as seems all too likely, Islam will be gone sooner, rather than later. It's going to be pretty horrendous for all concerned, I'm afraid.

[truth_seeker]

From #1 above:
A large number of people who feel ashamed of the past few centuries want to show they can do better. To do that, they need to rediscover a sense of identity. And to do that, they turn back to the Koran.

And reviewing the table in #2, it is clear that not one nation without oil, has per capita GDP of over $2,000 pa. Not much evidence they have the "stuff" to do better. And after decades of oil, those oil rich nations bring in foreigners to do the highest and lowest tasks. It is said Saudi has 25% unemployment, yet the dirty work is done by Pakis, Filipinos and other third country nationals.

It may take the next few years to sort it out, but either these nations must control their subjects, or the West will have to destroy very large numbers of them. Exporting terrorism is not a nice thing to do. But the rulers don't see fit to be good international citizens.

[Cool Guy]

Anytime, King of Posters :P

[John Valentine]

More and more, I am convinced that the insane preoccupation of Muslims with their victim status will force them to make this into a was between Islam and the West.

This is not something we in the West want, but it will be forced upon us. When it comes it will not be pretty, but wars never are.

[truth_seeker]

More and more, I am convinced that the insane preoccupation of Muslims with their victim status will force them to make this into a was between Islam and the West.
This is not something we in the West want, but it will be forced upon us. When it comes it will not be pretty, but wars never are.

Just as with ANY of the world's under-developed regions, they are ONLY victims of their own inferior cultures, societies, belief systems (religion, economies-work ethic). I say "inferior" in terms of their ability to compete, and enjoy a "modern" standard of living.

Their religion is not a help; rather a hindrance. It guides them to act not according to reality.

Did not the Russians build the Aswan dam? Have not western firms exploited and processed the oil resources? What have all of the college grads from American and European schools done, when they returned? Truth is, many did NOT return. They saw a better way; a way not likely to occur in their lifetimes, back home.

[Vigilanteman]

Islam and the West

Part I: The Next War, They Say

Part II: A Hand Grenade in Mid-Flight

Part III: The Cash Flow of God

Part IV: In the Name of Eve

Part V: Deficit in Democracy

Part VI: The year 1415

Part VII: The Hidden Hand

[John Valentine]

Absolutely correct. I forgot the quotation marks around "victim".

[anymouse]

The Economist is a liberal rag pretending to cover heady financial, political and scientific topics. It usually is pure leftist propaganda. Can't stand to do much more than skim a few pages before barfing.