[roboneal]

My definition of "civilization" is a society "ruled by law" and something approaching a "democracy". I can't think of a country in the Middle East remotely qualifying -- maybe Israel.

Trying to equate "religious pandering" in the US to the various REAL theocracies and military juntas that inhabit the Mideast is "shame"ful.

[jcizzle]

That's the whole point - "your" definition. There are billions of people in the world, any many of them disagree with your definition. Pretending your definition is the only definition is the height of egotism, and I wish that we as a people, could understand that and have sympathy and constructive conversations about the future.

[look_lookatme]

Implying the OP is racist doesn't seem that constructive.

[sp332]

OP is ignorant and unsympathetic, which leads to racist behavior even without racist motives.

[roboneal]

Are you seriously arguing that "many" people are against the "rule of law" and some form of government "approaching a democracy"?

If so, why all the dead or deposed dictators?

[jcizzle]

The Middle East and the West all have "rules of law", here are some examples:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Constitution

Both were written some time ago. Both have been modified, "interpreted" or just plain ignored. People are people no matter where you go. Power ebbs and flows to different people and groups over time. You are currently born into the group with the most power. This does not make you more correct, better than, or more civilized than others. It just makes you lucky.

[sp332]

So Ancient Rome, France during the Renaissance, and feudal Japan weren't civilized?