Quote:
Quote:
Originally Posted by willravel
In my case, I see peace and tolerance. I see mass empathy. I see a world where sadness has been reduced to almost nothing; to the amount that is trivial. I see everyone working towards the goal of bettering all people. Selfishness is extinct. Learning and thinking and enjoying life. I see a world void of lies. Complete truth in every thought and word. I see religions and countries at peace with each other, understanding each other and accepting each other as they are.
Will humans be allowed on this world?
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Nice bit of comic relief for an intense but engaging debate! My own response to
Willravel was going to be, "Isn't that a song already?" (thinking of John Lennon's
Imagine) *chuckle*
Thanks for everyone's responses, many good points here.
To try and answer your question
Mr. Roachboy, in as much as it is possible, the questions and direction you're going in is quite advanced.
In fact, I would encourage, if you desire it, to look even further back to the emergence of the "modern states period", "decline and fall of the Ottoman Empire" and "creation of the modern Middle East" for more solid theories and arguments relating to our current situation. From a historical perspective, both Western and Near Eastern, many critical events led to the evolution of the current crisis including:
1. Rise of nationalism and creation of the nation-state
2. Western imperialism/colonialism and quest for preeminence in Europe,
leading to spillover in other regions (Africa, Asia, Middle East)
3. Importance of OIL as a resource
4. Partitioning of Iraq, post-Ottoman period*note- this is
critical
5. Creation of Israel
6. Autocratic (monarchy) regimes in the Middle East (weak)- creates
underdeveloped societies, never evolvong or advancing.
7. Environment of Fear - Each state fears the other - become dependent
upon US or UK for protection - This is an oversimplified reason why there
is
NO SINGULAR PAN-ARAB STATE. Ever wonder about that?
8.
Key element: Cold War politics and the geo-political game out of
bi-polarity.
In my opinion, Islam, while a big deal, is less of a reason for the current phenomenon than say
nationalism or good ol' fashioned
power politics.
Now the above is only an attempt to outline history, events that have contributed to the current situation. I am in no way excusing or endoring terrorism mind you (thank you very much), but rather trying to scratch beneath the surface. (we all know what happens when you pick at a scab!)