Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - similarities and differences between Islam and Judaism

rsl12 · 10-26-2005, 07:30 AM

tee hee i won't spout any facts, partly because my memory is always a bit off, and partly because you shouldn't be citing TFP as one of your sources! Instead I will direct you to a great book regarding the topic: "Holy War", by Karen Armstrong. Armstrong has an interesting take on the relationship between the Christian crusades and the modern conflict. Her goal is to present history from three points of view - christian,islamic, and judaic. Though I think she's a bit softer with islam than the jews and christians, it's undoubtedly a fascinating read. It's basically the same story told over and over again, where variables C, I, and J continually change places--X is firmly established in the holy land, with peaceful Y and Z minorities. The major kingdom of Y decides that the holy land really should belong within its domain, setting off a set of events that lead to persecution of Z minorities within Y kingdom, and a bloody war against X. The side that wins a pivotal battle comes away thinking that God is on their side, while the losing side believes that sins among the congretation are the reason for its defeat. Most alarming of all, kingdom Y often believes that, in invading into the holy land, it is accelerating the coming of armageddon. What C, I, and J have in common is: the abraham story of coming to a promised land, a fetish for exiled heroes, and an apocalyptic view of the end of the world. I learned a great deal from this book, though I've been told the author's "Battle for God" is superior to this.

10-26-2005, 07:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
rsl12 On the lam Location: northern va	tee hee i won't spout any facts, partly because my memory is always a bit off, and partly because you shouldn't be citing TFP as one of your sources! Instead I will direct you to a great book regarding the topic: "Holy War", by Karen Armstrong. Armstrong has an interesting take on the relationship between the Christian crusades and the modern conflict. Her goal is to present history from three points of view - christian,islamic, and judaic. Though I think she's a bit softer with islam than the jews and christians, it's undoubtedly a fascinating read. It's basically the same story told over and over again, where variables C, I, and J continually change places--X is firmly established in the holy land, with peaceful Y and Z minorities. The major kingdom of Y decides that the holy land really should belong within its domain, setting off a set of events that lead to persecution of Z minorities within Y kingdom, and a bloody war against X. The side that wins a pivotal battle comes away thinking that God is on their side, while the losing side believes that sins among the congretation are the reason for its defeat. Most alarming of all, kingdom Y often believes that, in invading into the holy land, it is accelerating the coming of armageddon. What C, I, and J have in common is: the abraham story of coming to a promised land, a fetish for exiled heroes, and an apocalyptic view of the end of the world. I learned a great deal from this book, though I've been told the author's "Battle for God" is superior to this. __________________ oh baby oh baby, i like gravy. Last edited by rsl12; 10-26-2005 at 07:36 AM..