The Missing Link

March 27, 2006

Western Civilization in Perspective

In a recent column Mark Steyn quotes Prince Charles talking to a gathering of 800 Islamic scholars:

"The recent ghastly strife and anger over the Danish cartoons shows the danger that comes of our failure to listen and to respect what is precious and sacred to others. In my view, the true mark of a civilized society is the respect it pays to minorities and to strangers."

It is rather incredible that an educated man, speaking to scholars from countries where minorities and strangers are tortured and murdered, concludes that the violence faced by Western countries over the Danish cartoon affair is due to our intolerance.

If the true mark of a civilized society is indeed how it treats minorities and strangers, Western societies are the most civilized the world has to offer.

Posted by Conor at March 27, 2006 03:17 PM