During me uni-years I had to read Huntington's "The Clash of Civilizations". At that time I thought that it was somewhat over-emphasizing the influence of culture and under-estimating the influence of the nation-state.

It is my hypothesis that the fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not be primarily ideological or primarily economic. The great divisions among humankind and the dominating source of conflict will be cultural.

My question is: is this really what will happen and can it be avoided? Personally I thought people had enough brains to filter the bs out many "news" articles. But I was wrong..... again.

If you wish to read the synopsis of his book, here is the link:
http://www.alamut.com/subj/economics/misc/clash.html

Absolutely but he didn't mention one point and that is the readiness of the world to go into such war (I mean war of civilizations) however the other side (uncivilized one) has shown times and times again that they want a war.

Originally Posted by Ted

My question is: is this really what will happen and can it be avoided?

I don't think this clash can be avoided, we are dealing with a culture that won't compromise, unless of course we want to compromise our own freedoms and ideals?

...But there is one small (maybe miniscule) chance that this clash can be avoided.

Maybe if democracy and openess can be spread throughout the Middle East then it could change the face of Islam itself, ...maybe. This as I see it is our only chance. Will it happen? From what I see, I doubt if it will happen enough to make a lasting change. But I think it will happen to a small extent that it will buy us time.

The clash is inevitable, what we do now will determin whether we a Westerners survive it or not.

Originally Posted by gladius

I
...But there is one small (maybe miniscule) chance that this clash can be avoided.
The clash is inevitable, what we do now will determin whether we a Westerners survive it or not.

I believe it is inevitable. A person indoctrinated from birth in Mohammadanism cannot grasp the most basic and fundamental concepts of individual freedom, freedom or religion, or of expression.

Their basic minsdset is simply: "embrace my religion or die."

Not in Indonesia, the world's most populous muslim nation. What I have just experienced in the last three weeks has been eye opening and very instructive. There is no inevitable clash- only an orchestrated dance of death being played on both sides by people who benefit from this tripe.

But with the current possibilities to inform each other there should be possibilities right?
But is it purely the journalists who show, write, photograph the "evil that men do"? In earlier days nobody outside of Danmark would have seen these cartoons, now it is within reach with a simple tap on a computer... How to deal with this without infringing on the basic rights of "freedom of speech" and the usefulness of informing one another. Or are we truely as sick as some suggest that we only spread the bad news?

To your last question: Yes.

Originally Posted by Ted

My question is: is this really what will happen and can it be avoided?

Without going into a 10 page monolgue:

Yes, this has happened in the past and will happen again.

No, it can not be avoided unless the culture(s) that are more hostile to difference of opinions and more personal freedoms make some drastic changes.

Originally Posted by bulldogg

Not in Indonesia, the world's most populous muslim nation. What I have just experienced in the last three weeks has been eye opening and very instructive. There is no inevitable clash- only an orchestrated dance of death being played on both sides by people who benefit from this tripe.

Are you sure about this?

There is no inevitable clash for the moment because they just had one a few years ago. Dude, 200,000 people died during those clashes with Islamic jihadist attacking Christians living in Indonesia, and your saying no? Maybe they treated you special because you are a foriegner.

Not to mention 3 school girls going to a Christian school were beheaded there just last October.

Originally Posted by gladius

Are you sure about this?

There is no inevitable clash for the moment because they just had one a few years ago. Dude, 200,000 people died during those clashes with Islamic jihadist attacking Christians living in Indonesia, and your saying no? Maybe they treated you special because you are a foriegner.

Not to mention 3 school girls going to a Christian school were beheaded there just last October.

My Niece and her Husband, who is Indonesian and Christian, left with their two kids and all they could ship during that time. They ran for their lives.