With a Jewish father (stern patriarch) and a Christian mother (obsession with guilt and heaven) it is not surprising that Islam grew up a bit of a tartar. Actually, for centuries, while Christian Europe stumbled in darkness, the Arab-Muslim empire carried the torch of civilization. It then passed that torch to Europe and fell into sterile despotism.

In the 7th century Islam reduced "Christendom" by half. Twice the ruin – or a new civilization?

Arabia the Happy – Life Before Islam

Not All Desert – Early Civilizations Arose in Many Parts of Arabia

Who Saved Civilization? – Damascus Spring

Far from imposing a severe theocracy the early caliphs were tolerant, even urbane

Islam: Final Revelation – or Ultimate Heresy?

    Part One     Part Two

Despite the mutual hostility, from the first Islam endorsed a great deal of Judeo-Christian theology and adopted many of its practices.

Who Saved Civilization? – Baghdad Summer

From the Atlantic to Central Asia Islam produced scholars and refinement

Seeding the Renaissance – Science and Islam

Europe's Recovery owes a huge debt to Islamic Civilization

Extinguishing the Light – Wrath of God

Battered by both East and West the light failed and theology triumphed

Helping JesusNeverExisted to exist: