1-When I say Islam ruled the world I dont mean it in a territorial sence but in the sence that it was the strongest Empire in the world up until the 1800s. Ask any historian they will tell you power vested in three world powers, and they were the Ottomans, and Moguls both Muslim Empires and China.
Well, the world has changed. The Age of territorial empires is over, and that of corporate empires has begun.
Islam, or any religion for that matter, has little role to play in the modern world.
If you are hoping for a resurrection of the empires, with a revival of the gory and brutal wars that were necessitated for its survival, I don't see that happening.
2-When I say the Western world rules today I mean most of the events going on in the world are dominated and controlled by Western countries. These countires include the U.S, E.U. and to some extent now Russia, or simple put it developed countries. This statment is not in a religious sence but a fact. I ask you as an Asian how much of the world depends on us and let me make it clear that I am well aware of the Asian giants China and India. The fact is they consider us poor and have taken it upon themselves to get nvolved in our internal matters.
You did forget Japan. Japan might not have had a military empire, but they did have a corporate one, and garner tremendous resources. Same with China, and increasingly India.
In your previous posts, you were talking in religious terms. Maybe I am mistaken or perhaps you have changed your argument.
I really don't know what you are trying to say here. On one hand you talk about how Islam is perfect and will take over the world, and on the other hand you acknowledge that China (atheists) and Indians are rising powers.
3-Now as far as Islam having the answer to everything. I completely stand by it. Go and take your problem no matter what it is to any Ulema or any Islamic religious leader and I can gaurantee you they will give you a solution. One thing I must clear up is that I am saying this because I am Muslims, Chritians say the same about their religion, Hindus about their and so on, bascally its your belief.
Even hindus and christians don't believe that their religion has the answer to everything. If that was indeed the case, then the Islamic world would be eternally superior because they already know everything!!
Obviously, this is not the case. Learning and understanding the quran isn't helping Iranians to build the atomic bomb.
If the Gita had the answer to everything why would people study science, mathematics, philosophy and arts from outside?
In my personal opinion, people who claim to know the answer to everything are either deluded or lying.
When I say Islam contirbuting to science, again I stand by it. In he Quran their are many proven scientific methods, science especially when it come to medicine is especially mentioned in the Quran. And in the time of our Golden age or as I called it when we ruled the world advances were made in every aspect of life, from science, to math, to archtecture, to many more things. Now when you say advances had to do more with personal genius you are also right, but my point is they were Muslims and belonged to that nation. Lets take India for example, people dont say Abdul Kalam created India's nuclear weapons, but India created its weapons or say Sewag, Dhoni, Dravid and other members of the Indian cricket team won the world cup we say India won the world cup because it cums up everything(note these are just examples which might not be true). In some cases individuals are given credit and in some cases a nation is given credit for and individuals efforts. Now other nations and other religions most certainly did contribute to advancement but I am of the view that Islam contributed much more.
I seriously doubt the authenticity of the various claims that quran is scientifically accurate, but never mind that.
At the time of the so called golden age, Islamic scholars mainly collated information from various pre-existing cultures which they and conquered, and borrowed a lot from Europe. They learnt numbers and mathematics from the Indians, they borrowed paper from the Chinese, learn philosophy and architecture from the Greeks and Romans etc.
Obviously, it was a time of innovation, and some discoveries were also made.
There are several reasons for this, prosperity was one, the easy access to diverse sources of information was another, and the availability of talent was the third, etc. It certainly didn't happen because the inventors spent their nights poring over the quran.
Sure, the islamic "nation" (if it can be called that) can be given credit. Islam itself? Indirectly perhaps, for helping forge the armies that built these empires in the first place. Directly? I doubt it.
Now you talk of the Renaissance, I ask you what is the meaning of the Renaissane. The purpose of the Renaissance was to get rid of the superstitions created by the church and bring a more open society. Now lets take Islam, Islam has no silly siperstitions, everything in the Quran is open to question and debate and all thing in the program can be proven and have been proven. As far as an open society or a more democratic society, I ask you how was Europe governed at the time, it was governed by religious laws and all those who were not of the religion were killed. Islamic society at the time was the most tolerant we had non-Muslims residing in our Empire, the only restiction on them was they paid more tax.
There was no 'purpose' to the renaissance. the renaissance was nothing but a flowering of free inquiry and proliferation of arts and sciences, at the odds of the catholic church.
Islam has no silly superstitions? Lets see what I can remember offhand:
Bakri Id (animal sacrifice)
That self-flagellation that muslims in iraq and pakistan do.
Prohibition of images of most kinds.
The whole story about Muhammed flying to heaven with an angel (!!)
The "always pray towards mecca" rule.
The "stoning of the devil ritual" performed at mecca.
Praying 5 times a day (no more, no less) (Number 5 is sacred?)
Dietary restrictions like no pork.
Islamic world is still governed by religious laws, whereas Europe has moved beyond them.
What does Islam have to do with Renaissance?
Let us get back to the part about the individual meaning more then the religion. Fine lets us take the individual and not the religion, then why is it today the religion is being blamed and not individuals.
?? What does that mean? religion being blamed for what? individuals for what?
One thing I msut clear up is being a Muslim I would promote my religion in a positive manner. I am sure you being of a different religion would promote your religion in a positive manner.
Sure, we all have our agendas. My agenda is definitely to promote my country. But that doesn't mean that I give up reason and believe that "India is the beginning and end of everything".
I don't believe in much of what hinduism has to say, but I can't help having an emotional attachment with it. Its the same with many members here. They may not be all that religious, but they get insulted if their religion of birth is attacked.