Quote ="Euclid"I have lived and worked in the Middle East. You, apparently, get your information from the internet. I have experience and you have a computer.'"
Got to admit, you're on the verge of adding a something useful but having followed this thread I'm still not sure what points you're trying to make.
You ask "How much do you actually know about Islam to enable you to say that there is an inherent conflict between Christian and Muslim views of the world?", but don't give us your view which, given that you've lived there, could be of interest. Others, in the meantime, have debated and supported their views.
As for "stereotypical portrayal of both Arabs and Muslims our media presents us with" - I'm also not sure what portrayal you mean and you again don't elaborate? It doesn't make for good discussion to make bold but essentially dead-end statements.
FWIW, I see a Middle East full of religious and civil unrest and in some cases all-out war. I also see filthy rich countries and extreme poverty. In my humble opinion, however, the majority of people are probably decent folk fed up with all that, avoiding it as best they can and just getting on with their lives. As for Islam, I believe some branches are indeed inherently in conflict with Christianity, and Western nations, simply because many of the more extreme branches preach hatred of all non-Muslims and intolerance of females and homesexuals, and are intent on implementing Sharia wherever they live. Some believe violence is the way to enforce their beliefs. Note: some, certainly not all.
And to be fair you've avoided FA's question throughout.
