[thomassmith65]

Ancient Greeks and Romans spent more time in the Middle East than they did in Northern Europe. If Christians borrowed from anyone, it was Middle Easterners... ie: themselves.

Granted, Islam is not the same as Middle Eastern, but European and the Middle Eastern cultures have interwoven for millennia. The Middle East is not monolithic, either. They have had their own Christian communities ever since the religion was invented.

Neither is Europe free of Muslim thought. Spain is an obvious example, but there was also trade, which is how algebra came to Europe.

[1718627440]

I don't get you claim. Greek philosophy existed earlier than Christianity, and borrowed e.g. from Egypt, and not really from Israel, which is the cultural branch Christianity evolved from.

[thomassmith65]

Yes, what I meant to convey is that the lands around the Mediterranean constituted a coherent region more than the Northern Mediterranean combined with Northern Europe.

Greeks and Romans traveled throughout the area. To a Roman, a northern Barbarian was more exotic than the peoples South of the Mediterranean.

We are more similar to Middle Easterners than it might seem, though, granted, Islam today is a huge differentiator.

[1718627440]

Sorry, did you wanted to point out a contradiction or just add to the point?

What I mainly disagree with is:

> ie: themselves.

Those were completely different incompatible cultures. "middle eastern" simply isn't a term, that makes sense for that time as a cultural distinction.

> Islam today is a huge differentiator.

On yet another note, some claim Islam to be somewhat of a Christian sect.

[thomassmith65]

Oh, by 'themselves' I wanted to point out that the first Christians were, obviously, Middle Easterners. There have been Christian communities throughout the region ever since.

Yes, I gather Islam incorporated both Judaism and Christianity.