The "truth" behind Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's attacks on Jews?

[Red Irish]

Originally posted by: peonyu
Right, your beacon of reason lies in Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan today. Go take a look at it sometime. Its a blast from the past - literally. It'll give you a nice glimpse of the 'beacons of reason' that you seem so fond of.

Actually, Kyle's correct here. The Renaissance was a direct result of the philosophical texts and science introduced by the Moors via Spain: during the Dark Ages, Europe lost much of its philosophical heritage, which was preserved by the Arabs.

So in this sense, the Arab world has acted as a "beacon of reason", perhaps amongst the most important in human history.

Clearly you are also right when you point out that many barbarous acts were perpetrated by Muslims in Spain during this period and there is a tendency to focus on peaceful coexistence, evident in the translation school in Toledo or in monuments, such as the Patio de los Leones in the Alhambra (the twelve lions represent the tribes of Israel). However, it is true that many Sephardic Jews rose to positions of great importance under Muslim rule.

Moreover, I am perfectly willing to accept that in many aspects, the modern face of Islam presents but a shadow of the reason evidenced in the past, or, at the very least, assigned to this religion in the past.

I will not deny the atrocities commited by Muslim peoples over the course of history, but only a fool would deny their significant contribution to the development and advancement of the entire human race. Clearly the same statement can be applied to both Christians and Jews.

Incidentally, while we are speaking of the Iberian Peninsula, has nobody mentioned Torquemada?

 

[kylebisme]

Originally posted by: TheSkinsFan
Dance much?

Rather, I have no intrest in dancing around reality, and hence dispute your embellishements of it. Granted, I disagree with Achmadinejad's claim out of my respect for reality as well, but gives me no reason to respect your misrepresentations of it.

Originally posted by: Red Irish
I will not deny the atrocities commited by Muslim peoples over the course of history, but only a fool would deny their significant contribution to the development and advancement of the entire human race. Clearly the same statement can be applied to both Christians and Jews.

Exactly, and up until the Zionist movement set their sights on Palestine, Jews generally got along much better in Islamic lands. One of the most tragic ironies in this is that the Zionist movement first gained popularity among Armageddonist Christians and WASP elite, while there was little interest and considerable opposition to Zionism from Jewish communities until the horrors of WW2.

Originally posted by: Red Irish
Incidentally, while we are speaking of the Iberian Peninsula, has nobody mentioned Torquemada?

I got the impression they were only interested in talking about bad things Muslims do, and hence didn't bother. It seems the powers that been have turned Muslims into the new "sub-humans" since WWII, directing the focus of peoples hatreds towards from one group to another, rather teaching everyone the real lesson; "Never again!" applies to persecuting any individual based on what religion or ethnic group they are associated with.