TwentyFirst C Christianity

World Muslim-Christian Conflict Areas

Though not all of these are recent conflicts, the sheer number tends to support the Huntington thesis that there is a 'conflict of civilisations' going on. I recommend Samuel P. Huntington's new book Who Are We? [2004] which examines astutely the US national identity, and challenges to it. He strongly emphasises the Protestant influence in USA's history and culture.

Here's my incomplete list of current or simmering, religious-influenced conflicts:

Israel and the PA [includes Christians in Israel and PA territories]
Lebanon, and suppressed minority Christians in many Moslem Middle East areas.
Kosovo and Serbia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Chechnya and Russia
Georgia [parts]
Azerbijan and ethnic Armenians [a very ancient Christian cemetery was recently completely destroyed there, to erase the presence of centuries of revered Christian history].
Sudan, Darfur in the north, and in the south.
Nigeria
Ethiopia
Sulewesi, Ambon and West Papua, all parts of Indonesia with a strong Christian missionary influence
Southern Philippines
Historical, but not to be overlooked: The Christian Armenian Genocide, carried out in WWI by Turkey.

These are areas of Muslim and non-Christian conflict:
India and Pakistan
Thailand [southern area, bordering Malaysia]
Kashmir
Some provinces of China [one area where Muslims are definitely being repressed.]

It can be seen that the 'rim' of Islamic civilisation is not at peace in many areas today, particularly where it meets or mixes with Christians.
How much blame should be apportioned to 'aggressive Christians' in all these regions?

posted by Barrie @ 4/24/2006 05:24:00 PM