Dear SPQR,

I haven't assimilated it because I think there was one. I also think that there are those who wish to deny that there was one.

Yuyutsu wrote:

Just a slight correction if I may:

<<It is the separation of church and state that has limited the barbarism of religion>>

Barbarism is not a feature of religion itself, but of certain institutions which are religious in name only.

Dear Yuyutsu,

That is not a correction. That is an expression of a difference of opinion. Barbarism is a basic feature of religion. I think most religion is a group of people bonded together by the joint agreement to accept certain tribal myths. This incorporates barbaric feelings towards who question or deny these myths and those who seek to be free from the strictures put on them by religion. Religion has also inspired great art, music and feelings of compassion. It has done much good. It has also done much harm. You were not correcting me. You were expressing a different opinion.

"It is the separation of church and state that has limited the barbarism of religion."

Yes and the only religion which is striving to break down that separation is Islam.

I draw your attention to the Paradox of Intolerance:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_tolerance

In the West we have degrees of tolerance and freedom which do not exist in the lands from which the immigrants come from; the problem is those people who come as refugees bring with them the very intolerance which they fled from. How do you resolve that? Not by Section 18C which is used by Muslims against legitimate criticism but by exposing what Islam is. The trouble is the same progressives such as this author, who want the Muslims here as an expression of tolerance do not confront the intolerance of those they have tolerated.

It is an act of foolishness which is destroying the West.

There was no "Golden Age" of Islam, Islamic conquerors destroyed all the libraries, monasteries, churches and artwork which fell under their control, "If it contains information which is in the Koran we already know it, burn it. If it contains information which isn't in the Koran we don't need to know it, burn it!"
As for Jews, Christians and Muslims living in harmony that's the biggest load of BS in the whole narrative, there's a reason the Jews were booted out of Spain with the Muslims and had to hole up with their leaders on Sicily. Jews were notorious slave traders, they sold millions of Europeans into the worst systems of slavery in the Islamic world, where the life expectancy of a slave was about four years.
David F,has it ever occurred to you that Eastern Europe and Spain have always been poor and backward? Do you think it's any coincidence that the areas "enriched" by Islam only begin to show signs of life once the Muslims have gone and that they never fully recover?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_Qpy0mXg8Y

Its only hearsay because I cannot recall the source, but that 'golden age of Islam' was when the Caliph tolerated Jews and Christians in his retinue. Those were a large part of the people who published the scientific learning that gave that time the golden glow.

Davidf,
You're wanting to champion separation of church and state for our many blessings. But give credit where it's due. Such an idea did not begin with the US founding fathers. James Madison, the principle author of the US Constitution's first amendment, credited Martin Luther as the main theorist providing the proper distinction between civil and ecclesiastical spheres.

Both the state and the church benefit from such separation. I am grateful the state helps protect my freedom to worship in my church and follow my conscience. But don't forget the influence Western theology has had on these freedoms. Try finding such freedoms in any middle eastern country or anywhere that has not been profoundly influenced by Protestant reformation teachings.