Mistral said -
the entire idea of non-combatants in war is both very recent historically, and Western in origin
I think you are mistaken. There was a (European) academic on the radio yesterday saying that the Koran (unlike western religious texts) explicitly condemns the killing of civilians. Even at the height of the middle ages, the crusaders recognised that their Islamic enemies were honorable and chivalrous soldiers.
I have - even quite recently to people on this list - criticised various religions. But I think it is quite wrong to imply that terrorism and killing are more in line with some religions than others, or more a part of religion that of atheism, or anything else of that kind. It is easy for us to persuade ourselves that we are better than other people. It is comforting to do so in times like these.
I'm sure we need and want to discuss this situation on various mailing lists. However I would be very upset if Lysator hosted blanket condemnation of non-Western cultures. We in the 'west' did not invent virtue and honour, and we are not the only people in the world who respect them.
Alison
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