The three mono-theisistic tribalistic cults that dominate the poltics and culture of the Middle East and indeed the rest of the world are all armed to the teeth and now engaged in global warfare. Both Islam-ism and Christian-ism have been engaged in this global warfare for forever and a day.

Fundamentally, among all the religious traditions of the world, ONLY Islam, Christianity, and to a lesser extent Judaism, are inherently and aggressively associated with an expansionist ideal, and an attitude of not only cultural but also social and political superiority, that irreducibly intends and actively pursues the destiny, to which each of these three traditions appoints ITSELF, of total world-domination, or global totalitarian rulership. This is particularly the case with Islam-ism and Christian-ism both of which pretend that they are THE ONE true faith/way/religion, which is necessarily binding on ALL human beings.

Likewise, by their very nature, these three religious AND political traditions are, perpetually, in an intentionally performed state of competition, that always seeks and frequently achieves conflict, confrontation, and even aggressive warfare with one another, and in the case os Islam-ism and Christian-ism, even with ALL other religious, cultural, social, and political traditions, systems, or institutions in the world.

The powerful nation-states that exercise themselves in the name of one or the other of these 3 "great" religions of the Middle East now presume they can wage "final war" and, thus and thereby, establish their self-appointed "final rule". And they are now ACTIVELY MOVING themselves on that basis.

Except for Ian D., I found the readers' comments in the forum to be far more insightful than the answers given within the article. Interfaith dialogue may lead us to appreciate another’s viewpoint or perspective - but so what? One can only be on the "inside of one religion at any one time." You can't be a Christian AND a Buddhist AND an adherent to Islam all at the same time!

I don't believe that interFAITH dialogue is possible because there are totally conflicting views on what constitutes a particular faith. One can't be a Christian without accepting the Trinity, and one can't be a Muslim without accepting the Oneness and indivisibility of God that makes a "nonsense" on the notion of a Trinity. Trying to be "nice and tolerant" of other religious views is not to be accepting of those views!

I can and am "nice to Mormons, and Scientologists" but I think that their beliefs are at the "looney tunes" end of the religious spectrum! :-) How can I have meaningful dialogue with them? Now perhaps the more objective "inter-religious" dialogue might be a better title. At least we can learn about WHAT makes one religion different from another...

Genuine tolerance means accepting the different political, social and religious views that make us uniquely human. If the acceptance of a particular religious worldview becomes condemnatory, judgemental, and hateful of others holding opposing views, then no mutual understanding is possible.

One only needs to look at the person of Jesus Christ and contrast Him with Mohammed, Gandhi or Buddha to see how compatible the gospel is with other religions. Christianity is far more tolerant than secularism or any other religion for that matter. That is a large part of the reason the West is a place everyone wants to live. The only ones in the West in great danger are those in the womb. You don't see any tolerance for other religions in Islamic nations.

Dear runner,

Christian love and tolerance? Let's see? The Holocaust carried out by the Christian Germans with the help of their Christian allies, the Catholic and Orthodox Christians killing each other in the former Yugoslavia, the Catholic and Protestant Christians killing each other in Northern Ireland, the two World Wars fought in the twentieth centuries between mostly Christian nations were all examples of Christian love inspired by sweet Jesus? A quarter of the world coloured pink as the Christian British Empire spread by peace and love. In addition there were the Christian French, Dutch, Belgian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian and Italian Christian Empires. At the beginning of the twentieth century except for Turkey and Afghanistan the peaceful Christians had conquered the Muslim world. Peaceful, tolerant Christianity? What have you been smoking?

The West is not a den of religious pluralism because of any foundation on Christianity. As the oft-quoted Luke 19:27 states, Jesus delivers in his parable this message: 'But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me'. This is not a message of equality or tolerance.

It is through the introduction and acceptance of secular values and beliefs that we flourish, not the other way round. As should be clear from runner's line 'You don't see any tolerance for other religions in Islamic nations', it is the injunction against a State established religion that promotes and protects religious pluralism.

The only thing we have to thank Christianity for in the West is finally getting out of the way.

davidf

all inspired by Jesus ah! No wonder you are blind to the death culture created by secularism when you clearly misrepresent the truth so blatantly.