NationStates Jolt Archive

The BBC commissioned a poll in 27 countries on whether conflict between the West and the Muslim world is inevitable, whether there is common ground to be found, and why there is trouble at the moment.

Looks like the results give reason for a bit of cautious optimism. Despite all the yelling coming from firebrands on both sides, most people don't seem to think that conflict is really a given.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6369529.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/6369251.stm
http://www.globescan.com/news_archives/bbciswest/
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/317.php?nid=&id=&pnt=317&lb=hmpg1

What do you reckon?

I think eventually their will be a larger conflict between the western and muslim worlds hell most terriorist groups have already declared war on the west and a lot of the west's actions don't sit well with the muslim world Eg the Mohammed cartoons just to name one

I don't think conflict is unavoidable. I also think differences are more in the political aspect than they are culture.

Inevitable.

I think eventually their will be a larger conflict between the western and muslim worldsI don't. There's no real basis for taking it beyond harsh language.


hell most terriorist groups have already declared war on the westViolent ideologues have always existed, and in the case of the Islamist factions, it's worth keeping in mind that their primary battle is against the Muslim majority. EDIT: It's sort of like neo-Nazi boneheads. They don't use violence to appeal to the majority, they do it to scare the majority into adopting increasingly fascistoid means of securing the peace, because those means appeal to the neo-Nazis. That they get to kill & rape a bit in the process is just an added bonus.


and a lot of the west's actions don't sit well with the muslim world Eg the Mohammed cartoons just to name oneActually, things like that cartoon thing are mostly a combination of ideologues looking for publicity, minorities looking for something to unite behind, and oppressive regimes looking for something scary so their populations don't decide to get rid of them.

I think it's very unfortunate that extreme fringe groups are treated in mainstream media as representative, because it enables fuckers to cause a fuss. When a minority is vilified by being misrepresented as something out of a nightmare, the backlash tends to turn them into that very nightmare. I'd think the religious debates on this forum illustrates my point rather nicely, actually.

Worse though, is the ethnocentrism/exclusivism it creates in all affected camps. It makes us stop treating eachother as individuals & reduces us to ideologies in opposition, though the reality is usually the opposite.

Man.. I'm too tired to be writing this shit, I keep losing the thread.. Apologies in advance if it didn't make sense & goodnight you lot.

I'm glad that the poll was multi-choice, because all of the options were true.

In the long run, there is innevitable conflict between the West and Islam, but if we, the people, dedicate ourselves to communicating across political and social borders, we can find common ground.

I didn't mark any of the poll choices. Islam is part of the West. Common roots, remember?

I didn't mark any of the poll choices. Islam is part of the West. Common roots, remember? Westerners: Islam is part of the West.
Muslims: The West belongs to Islam.

I'm not sure if conflict on a global scale is inevitable, but conflict on a national/local level is inevitable if there are large Muslim and non-Muslim populations (as may happen in many countries in Europe, and even merry England in the distant future). A world wide war based on Islam vs the West is not likely at all, partly because most Islamic governments aren't that rabid on the international stage and wouldn't find it was worth it to declare a holy war.

i voted for all the options and actually meant it :o. it depends on how you define conflict though. it probably won't a full out war but that's not the only kind of conflict (and conflict doesn't have to be bad, we can learn stuff and differences can be resolved by dialogue). i also think it will be more about politics (oil) than it will be ideological. and there surely is common ground to be found.

It's because of intolerant minorties in both the West and Muslim world over political power and interests, but common ground can be found. :eek:

Its all our stupid politicians and their religious radicals so we're both equal to blame

Its all our stupid politicians and their religious radicals so we're both equal to blame Maybe in America, but here it's mostly because our politicians need some of these (http://www.sisonline.org/images/spinedj.gif). Also some of these (http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/Library/brain.gif).

We need to get General Pershing style on the ragheads.

We need to get General Pershing style on the ragheads.

*yawns*

Well, bigotry against the Arabs. What a surprise. :rolleyes:

*yawns*

Well, bigotry against the Arabs. What a surprise. :rolleyes:


Hey it was only an ironic off the cuff remark. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

As it stands right now, the two cultures are on a collision crash, and what little common ground there is has been abandoned by most of the West, giving the advantage to Islam.

Hey it was only an ironic off the cuff remark. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Perhaps the irony was in your own head. Your statement seemed pretty straightforward to me.

Perhaps the irony was in your own head. Your statement seemed pretty straightforward to me.

Thats because your an American and you don't understant irony.

*pats Utracia gently on the head a few times then gives them a big slap around the face*
:headbang:

Maybe in America, but here it's mostly because our politicians need some of these (http://www.sisonline.org/images/spinedj.gif). Also some of these (http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/Library/brain.gif).
Some testies would look good on them too.

Some testies would look good on them too. Blair with his manically high voice and Cameron with his smooth rosy cheeks? :D

Thats because your an American and you don't understant irony.

*pats Utracia gently on the head a few times then gives them a big slap around the face*
:headbang:

I do not know you. There are other posters who would be completely serious when making a post like the one you made. Unless I see some clear sign otherwise then I will assume that whatever being said is the straight poop.

*shrugs*

I voted for the last two options.

I do not know you. There are other posters who would be completely serious when making a post like the one you made. Unless I see some clear sign otherwise then I will assume that whatever being said is the straight poop.

*shrugs*

Your too sweet. I would never hurt you.