Dr. Joseph Guida's World View

Submitted by Dr. Richard Benkin (United States), Dec 8, 2008 at 18:09

So, Dr. Guida, if Islam is irretrievably evil,lost; what is your suggested course of action. Glad that you have some second-hand experience through the Internet and Muslim colleagues; but those of us you accuse of "romanticizing" moderate Muslims have been out there in the "slog" as you call it, often at some risk to ourselves from the Islamists we oppose in their own back yards!

Islam is almost 700 years younger than Christianity. Where was that faith in 1300? Perhaps from Dr. Guida's perspective, it was not so bad; but read the accounts of Jewish victims of vicious attacks, Papal Bulls, etc. The vitriolic anti-Semitism in the writings of St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostum, and many others were still honored (and remain so). They laid the ideological justification for the murder and forced conversion of Jews. Not so bad from the good doctor's perspective, but quite different from that of the victims.

I have worked with these "romanticized" moderate Muslims, especially Salahuddin Shoaib Choudhury, who have put their lives on the line to oppose the Islamists. Shoaib was arrested and tortured and still faces capital charges for his efforts. When I was in "the slog," I found a growing number of Muslims voicing support (some publicly) for our positions.

So, before writing off Islam and extolling Christianity, think of how wonderful the church made things for Jews in the 14th century. The growth and development of the Christian churches to where they are today is one of the most compelling stories of the western world. But it was sloppy, bloody, and accomplished with fits and starts.

So, Dr. Guida, what in fact do you suggest we do with one third of the world's population?

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