This all comes down to a basic idea called 'freedom of choice'.

As long as your choices don't infringe upon my choices everything is good.

When choices clash then the challenge of who will be more tolerant comes
into play.

Just my 2 cents worth.

.....
> So my point is, I don't fault Islam in general or Islamic leaders
> or laity for viewing western culture as a pollutant, a poison, or
> an evil. Those cultures did not get the chance up front to deny
> our culture entry into their systems. Once they realized the
> adulterating effects our culture had on theirs, all they could do
> is damage control. Western culture was originally forced upon
> them, and naturally seemed intriguing.

Well David,

I hate to poke holes in your thesis with empirical data, but consider this
reality for a minute.  There is at least one people I am aware of in the
United States of America that has lived here since the "beginning" that has
NOT been lured into our modern day "Western culture".  They do NOT use
electricity in their homes, they do NOT watch television or listen to the
radio, and they do NOT drive automobiles.  These people are called the
Amish.

The big difference between these people and the repressive cultures you are
talking about is that the Amish actually CHOOSE to live their life the
"plain" way.  This choice is freely made by every young man and woman when
they come of age.  During the young children's lives the parents bring them
into contact with the rest of society.  They are not isolated on some
mountaintop or desert.  And the Amish people know about their neighbors
from outside of their community.  We freely buy and sell goods between our
people all the time.

So, I wonder just how deeply the level of commitment is of these "other"
folks who believe that modern Western society is a corrupting, debilitating
influence on their culture.  From where I live I can see that decent
peace-loving people CANNOT be turned into cold-blooded murderers if they
truly have God in their hearts.

In conclusion, I don't buy for a moment these other cultures' claims that
the Western world has corrupted them.  They are just using it as an excuse
for their deplorable behavior.

Just my thoughts on this subject,

John Hornberger

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