Just think of all the chaos in North Africa. It used to be a part of the Roman Empire. It was the home of St. Augustine, essentially the founder of medieval Christendom. Perhaps il Mar Mediterraneo is not as wide as we think.
Libyan jets have defected to the island of Malta, just a short flight away. That is one of the places I would love to travel to; what a fascinating history they have had. Peruse the article in Wikipedia on that chain of islands and you will be reminded of how close ancient Carthage was to Sicily, Italy, and Europe. What if Hannibal had finally beaten Rome? Would the Christian/Islam split even exist today?
By the way there is an excellent movie, starring Anthony Quinn, called Lion of the Desert. It was the story of Omar Mukhtar, the Libyan hero who fought Italian imperialists before and after Mussolini.
These days, they say that there are more (active and used) mosques in Europe than cathedrals or churches. The numbers of Muslims in Europe is astonishing. I have never thought much about it except to think that Europeans are more foolish in permitting an Islamic invasion than Americans are in permitting a Mexican one.
As an aside to your remarks touching on religion in Europe, I was once surprised to learn that many Europeans pay a Church Tax. My Germany buddy explained that it's "historic". There is a Wiki on it, and it helps explain how all the enormous cathedrals are maintained. The Cathedral in Koln, has ongoing exterior maintenance, almost 24/7 for example... wouldn't be possible if supported only by a local congregation.
ReplyDeleteTom in Orlando
Tom, at least tourists get the benefit of the old cathedrals. I wonder if any of them have been taken over by Muslims.
ReplyDeleteI think there are decommissioned churches all over Europe, Europeans, generally speaking, aren't as Churched as we are. I suppose that the devastation of a couple of all out wars might have something to do with that. I know Germany certainly needed/needs the labor, but Germans aren't necessarily happy to see the workers stay rather than go home when retirement comes. Their culture is undergoing change, just as ours is. I will say that the street food that the Turks bring beats German fast food hands down. One small consolation?
ReplyDeleteTom in Orlando