EDITORIAL: Isn't it funny how politicians, the leaders of the Western world, people who should know an awful lot about the history of Western civilization, know nothing about it, and if they do, they refuse to heed history's caveats? Isn't it funny how these same politicians find it unnecessary to learn about Islam and the history of its relentless growth since its inception 1400 years ago? And isn't it funny how these politicians, knowing we're in a God awful mess with Muslims because of our own folly and weakness, can think of no strategy except one that will get us further and deeper into the mire? The fact of the matter is that we're in a hole - a deep hole! And the hole is getting deeper by the week! Why? Because we refuse to stop digging!
In an article entitled ’Straw urges Turkey EU membership’, dated Sunday, October 2, 2005, Jack Straw predicted that EU nations risk driving Christians and Muslims apart if Turkey is not brought into the fold. No Jack, no! This, on the face of it, seems logical enough; I believe, however, that this is a perfect example of a logical fallacy!
What we need to do to avoid a clash of civilizations is this: We need to give these two worlds their space. Each 'world' has a different Weltanschauung, a different worldview. Therefore, these two civilizations need to learn to respect each other more, but each ‘world’ must be allowed its space to live.
The way that politicians such as Jack Straw are trying to manipulate things, they risk bringing about the clash of civilizations - here in our own backyard!
The Christian world and the Islamic world have always had their great differences. What people like Jack Straw proposes is to bring those two sides together in order to bring about harmony. How logical is that?
Anyone who has ever lived in a household in which two people who can't get on are under the same roof, will know that the sparks fly! If this is true for two people, how truer it will be for millions of people.
The sparks will start flying as soon as Turkey becomes part of Europe. Western Europeans can look forward to the rough ride. Our only hope of some common sense prevailing is with Nicolas Sarkozy. Thankfully, he remains committed to stopping Turkey’s accession. Long live Nicolas Sarkozy! Long live common sense!
©Mark Alexander
