From:

http://www.salon.com/books/int/2001/10/22/armstrong/index.html

SNIP
Americans are scrambling to learn about Islam in record numbers, and when they do, chances are they're turning to the works of Karen Armstrong, a British theologian, former Roman Catholic nun and the author of "Islam" and "The Battle for God," as well as "Buddha" and several other books about the world's religions. The breadth and liberality of Armstrong's views on faith in all its myriad varieties makes her the ideal interpreter for those who are frightened and baffled by the dramatic clash between Islam and the West. Salon spoke with her recently by phone.

Interesting read. It gives some good background and historical perspective.

JC

-- Johnny Canuck (j_canuck@hotmail.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

I guess the Muslims just need more soccer--

"You have people who feel under fire, rageful and vengeful and feel that they're fighting for survival. In that condition, anyone can lash out. People in the United Kingdom are so disinterested in religion, so there's no problem, but we do have football hooliganism where the experiences normally present in religion manifest themselves: You can pour your soul into a movement, experience a collective defeat and lash out at a common enemy. It's the same mix that fuels a lot of these fundamentalist movements".

-- (Roland@hatemail.com), October 23, 2001.

and satan has his dupe's.

-- al-d. (dogs@zianet.com), October 23, 2001.

I keep hearing about this Karen Armstrong. I've not read a word written by her, but it seems I must. Soon. She ain't in our local library and in fact I've not found her in any local library going back some five moves ago.

Hey, somebody sell their Karen Armstrong books at a local used book store in Northern NJ so I can buy them. Please?

Hot Link:

Salon spoke with Karen Armstrong recently by phone

-- Rich (living_in_interesting_times@hotmail.com), October 23, 2001.

Rich, do a "Karen Armstrong" search on google.com. Many links.

-- (lars@indy.net), October 23, 2001.

Does anyone know much about Sufi-ism? Armstrong does not mention this mystical part of Islam.

-- (lars@indy.net), October 23, 2001.

Sufis are goofy.

-- (Osama@Bed Bath.and Beyond, towel department), October 23, 2001.