Clash of Civilizations
Bernard Lewis's writings on Islam are always interesting and insightful. I just ran across his article in the May, 2003 Atlantic, "I'm Right, You're Wrong, Go To Hell", and he keeps his streak alive.
For a long time now it has been our practice in the modern Western world to define ourselves primarily by nationality, and to see other identities and allegiances?religious, political, and the like?as subdivisions of the larger and more important whole. The events of September 11 and after have made us aware of another perception?of a religion subdivided into nations rather than a nation subdivided into religions?and this has induced some of us to think of ourselves and of our relations with others in ways that had become unfamiliar. The confrontation with a force that defines itself as Islam has given a new relevance?indeed, urgency?to the theme of the "clash of civilizations."He goes on, though, to compare and explain some differences and similarities between the civilizations, and ends with this:
Today we in the West are engaged in what we see as a war against terrorism, and what the terrorists present as a war against unbelief. Some on both sides see this struggle as one between civilizations or, as others would put it, between religions. If they are right, and there is much to support their view, then the clash between these two religiously defined civilizations results not only from their differences but also from their resemblances?and in these there may even be some hope for better future understanding.It's worth the full read.