Alice Evans on religious history; Razib Khan on same; Paul Seabright's forthcoming book on the economics of religious organizations; Rob Henderson on rich kid demonstrators.
That's nothing compared to science, look what it's done to the ecosystem of the planet in < 100 years....religion couldn't hope to do that much damage in 10x the time!
Yes, I suppose I misunderstood a bit. With the clarification I still don't think we agree.
"one might conclude the two will converge sooner rather than later."
Catching up is always easier than reaching equal economic advancement. One can get somewhat close simply by mimicking but I suppose there is always the chance Indonesia will be the next economic superpower. There is also an equal or larger chance the US will falter and lose its position but among countries of more than 10-20mil population, no country has had the median living standard of US in the last 70+ years, though at one point maybe Japan came very close. I just don't see any large country with as many advantages as we have economically. I don't see Indonesia being the one breaking that streak.
If you want to see the same thing in a slower, more mafia tinged version, the campus union drives are similar.
I came away from "The Reformation" NOT understanding any "Why's" :(
Islam is ruthless- that is its major strength.
That's nothing compared to science, look what it's done to the ecosystem of the planet in < 100 years....religion couldn't hope to do that much damage in 10x the time!
and its major weakness.
If so, then cite a single instance where people pushed back against it that wasn't a war.
Exactly. That is a weakness.
Tell me, what's the immigrant/emigrant ratio for Muslim controlled countries? You don't think that is a weakness?
Think about it: that wouldn't necessarily make the news though.
"it is Muslim countries like Indonesia that are prospering and free and fair elections."
Really? I get we have problems - always have, always will - but you think life is better in Indonesia?
Yes, I suppose I misunderstood a bit. With the clarification I still don't think we agree.
"one might conclude the two will converge sooner rather than later."
Catching up is always easier than reaching equal economic advancement. One can get somewhat close simply by mimicking but I suppose there is always the chance Indonesia will be the next economic superpower. There is also an equal or larger chance the US will falter and lose its position but among countries of more than 10-20mil population, no country has had the median living standard of US in the last 70+ years, though at one point maybe Japan came very close. I just don't see any large country with as many advantages as we have economically. I don't see Indonesia being the one breaking that streak.