Is the current cultural conflict between Islam and the Western world acceptable simply because of 2000 years of history? In my opinion we should be looking at the conflict through a modern lens, analyzing it, and attempting to resolve it regardless of what history tells us. There are obviously profound differences in the beliefs of the two cultures, and Islamic terrorism should not be justified by merely saying 'that's the way it is because that's the way its always been." Aznar says that this rift in peoples began in Europe during the reconquista and the struggle with the Moors, which is true, but more than history is separating the west from the Islamic world; it needs to be addressed.
In agreement with Alex, the current cultural conflict between the Western world and Islam is not justifiable because of centuries of past conflict. A new approach is needed for a solution to this conflict. Both sides must educate themselves of the other's culture and ways. The issue of poverty and lack of education must be addressed because terrorist almost always poor uneducated young male. The current situation can be solved and peace can be assured because similar situations in the past have been resolved. On a smaller scale but similar situation, Ireland and Northern Ireland groups were attacking each other constantly in the 1970/80s but now both countries have enjoy relative peace for years. There is a solution and to say that Governments are powerless to solve it because it has always been this way is an unacceptable answer.
I think it is almost a bit naive to say that it is possible to ignore the history between these two cultures. The history of a country is a huge part of how the culture developed and how one has decided to interact with other countries. To simply look forward to the future is how South Africa attempted to resolve its conflicts after the Apartheid and although in some respects it is working but in many others there seems to be a reverse-Apartheid rising. There must be a balance towards recognizing the past and from that building a future.
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Is the current cultural conflict between Islam and the Western world acceptable simply because of 2000 years of history? In my opinion we should be looking at the conflict through a modern lens, analyzing it, and attempting to resolve it regardless of what history tells us. There are obviously profound differences in the beliefs of the two cultures, and Islamic terrorism should not be justified by merely saying 'that's the way it is because that's the way its always been." Aznar says that this rift in peoples began in Europe during the reconquista and the struggle with the Moors, which is true, but more than history is separating the west from the Islamic world; it needs to be addressed.
In agreement with Alex, the current cultural conflict between the Western world and Islam is not justifiable because of centuries of past conflict. A new approach is needed for a solution to this conflict. Both sides must educate themselves of the other's culture and ways. The issue of poverty and lack of education must be addressed because terrorist almost always poor uneducated young male. The current situation can be solved and peace can be assured because similar situations in the past have been resolved. On a smaller scale but similar situation, Ireland and Northern Ireland groups were attacking each other constantly in the 1970/80s but now both countries have enjoy relative peace for years. There is a solution and to say that Governments are powerless to solve it because it has always been this way is an unacceptable answer.
I think it is almost a bit naive to say that it is possible to ignore the history between these two cultures. The history of a country is a huge part of how the culture developed and how one has decided to interact with other countries. To simply look forward to the future is how South Africa attempted to resolve its conflicts after the Apartheid and although in some respects it is working but in many others there seems to be a reverse-Apartheid rising. There must be a balance towards recognizing the past and from that building a future.
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