[Abraham]

Originally Posted by caspofungin

Arab countries are, politically, hundreds of years behind their western counterparts -- any arab with a modicum of sense will freely admit it.

The question I would pose is: Why?
Because of Colonialism?
Because Islam is backward in the field of political theory?
Because Islam prevents free critical thinking about the relevance of the Quran?
Because Islam was not concieved in an area were there were any states and therefor takes on political power - through the Sharia - itself?
(From Roman Catholic history we know that a religion taking up political power is a recipy for disaster...)

Originally Posted by caspofungin

... that doesn't excuse extrapolating that political difference to justify a claim that islam as a religion is backwards or uncivilized.

Indeed, because such strong generalisations hold the seeds of their own destruction.
But a valid question is: Is political theory within Islam devellopping and progressing?
If so, I really would like to be enlightened on that subject.
If not, how can Arab countries ever catch up those hundred of years you mentionned.

Originally Posted by caspofungin

... and your shining lights the greeks and romans didn't exactly have equal rights for all. yet again, people are using a fragment of history, out of context, to justify their hyperbole.

I think the point is that the Greeks struggled (philosophically and politically) with the concept of a 'City State' and the division of political power within it. Their thoughts about dictatorship, democracy and everything in between have shaped the European political culture and the concept of nations as the world knows it today.

Originally Posted by TLAM Strike

... religion just gives a government an excuse to act one way or another.

While often true, I think Islam forces Muslim governments into a religious/doctrinary direction.
For instance, there is no rational reason why Israel and its Arab neighbours should not have close economic ties for the benefit of all, except for the doctrinairy, backwards, non-political, religious perception that Israel is 'occupying Muslim land.' That religious principle leads to the political conclusion that Israel should 'disappear'.
A non-doctrinairy, progressive, non-religious, political approach is taken by Europe towards (Muslim) Bosnia with regards to E.U. membership.