So do Christians! They have a terrible history. Look at history in the Dark Ages. Charlemagne converted whole tribes by the sword. I think Muslims are poorly understood by the West, and it is easy to latch onto that which we do not understand and demonize it.
I'ts kind of interesting that Jefferts-Schori would focus on Charlemagne. The Frankish "Holy Roman Empire", cooked up by Charlemagne and whoever was Pope at the time, was rneant as an attack on the true Roman Empire, the one we call "Byzantine". If it weren't for Charlemagne, the West would be Orthodox (but not necessarily using the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom), and there would have been no need for the Reformation.
Of course, I would not expact an ignorant theolgical liberal like her to know anything about that, or its contemporary implications. Her implying that Catholics, etc. are "less educated" is truly ludicrous!!!!
Yes, both islam and Christianity have a history of violence. However, the Qu'ran sanctions violent jihad, conquest, and murder and oppression of non-muslims. The Bible does not. islam got its empire mainly via violent conquest, and Christianity did not. We can go on all day on this subject, but KJS is wrong and very shallow as usual!
"If it weren't for Charlemagne, the West would be Orthodox (but not necessarily using the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom), and there would have been no need for the Reformation."
Many of us Orthodox have tried to make this very point to Protestants, though with little notable success.
"We can go on all day on this subject, but KJS is wrong and very shallow as usual!"
As the Greeks say, "But she is not a serious person." accompanied by a dismissive wave of the hand. Frankly, I think she's just a silly, self-absorbed woman playing dress up in a particularly unflattering frock and hat surrounded by a group of equally silly, self absorbed people.