[Straight Vermonter]

Be careful about crediting Islamic cultures with these advances. In large part these advances were made by cultures conquered by Islamists not by Islamists themselves. See here

[republicanwizard]

Incorrect, in one sense. The Renaissance of Europe was, at the beginning, a rediscovery of the Near East, Greek and Roman worlds. In a sense, their accomplishments would not have been possible without their forebearers as well.

Like the Christians, the Muslims made great early advances. For a variety of reasons unconnected with their religion, the society was decimated by faction and quarrel.

I think if you were to examine the sciences you would see the great Arabic impact.

You see, a German isn't predisposed to anti-semitism. The Holocaust was the culmination of two thousands years of Christian anti-semitism. Yet, I don't believe that Christians are any more disposed to anti-semitism than Muslims are to terrorism.

I think you and I could have an interesting debate on this. Let's continue by e-mail, if you want. RW

P.S. I gather you are not for Howard Dean. :)