Clash of civilizations
Some interesting discussion of the French rights here and here.
Is it a clash of civilizations? No - a clash of civilizations implies two civilizations (at least). The rioters in France aren't civilized and shouldn't be dignified with a claim that they represent one.
Austin Bay (the second link above) talks about "encouraging “Euro-Islam,” (France has been doing the latter.)" I find this an odd idea - what makes us think the French (or any) state is going to do a particularly good job of creating a state religion? European established Christian churches have been decaying for a long time. "Euro-Islam" seems likely to produce a bunch of state subsidized, empty mosques just as "Euro-Christianity" has produced a bunch of state subsidized, empty churches. That seems unlikely to placate the rioters (although it also is hard to understand why France might want to placate the rioters.)
Is it a clash of civilizations? No - a clash of civilizations implies two civilizations (at least). The rioters in France aren't civilized and shouldn't be dignified with a claim that they represent one.
Austin Bay (the second link above) talks about "encouraging “Euro-Islam,” (France has been doing the latter.)" I find this an odd idea - what makes us think the French (or any) state is going to do a particularly good job of creating a state religion? European established Christian churches have been decaying for a long time. "Euro-Islam" seems likely to produce a bunch of state subsidized, empty mosques just as "Euro-Christianity" has produced a bunch of state subsidized, empty churches. That seems unlikely to placate the rioters (although it also is hard to understand why France might want to placate the rioters.)
Posted by Andy Morriss on
Monday November 7, 2005 at 4:52pm