For me, at last! A simple explanation of Shia & Sunni differences

[Ernesto]

Sacramento Bee interviews an Iraqi-American couple living near Sac. One a Sunni one a Shiite. Interesting & informative.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/news/story/12257976p-13122055c.html

[JitterbugPerfume]

1. That as very interesting

and enlightening

thanks for the post

[devinsgram]

2. This is the problem for most people.

They do not understand the history or background of these two countries and Islam. Like it or not Iraq will more than likely end up a theocracy. If the Shites do get what they feel they are entitled to, I would not want to even imagine what will happen.

[Ernesto]

3. Yes, agreed. I've asked "what's going on ?" around here many times

All I got was smart-ass comments from opinionated DUers. It's a crying shame that we have soooo many (seemly content)uninformed zealots around here.

[hollowdweller]

4. It's a little bit like the difference between Protestant and Catholic but

Paul never sent anyone to try to kill Peter after they had their arugmenent in Antioch.

[Stop_the_War]

5. The Catholic Church never existed in Paul's time......

neither did the Protestants.

[IdaBriggs]

6. Uh, "Protestant" stuff started about a century after Peter & Paul --

but they were called "heretics" and they were wiped out as soon as some Christians were in a political position to do so. The "Protestant" faith really gained momentum thanks to the invention of the printing press (prior to that, you could just wipe out "infected" areas of heretics), but really owes much thanks to England's Henry 8 (who wanted a divorce so he could get a male heir). In the meantime, a whole list of "other stuff" occurred, including increased levels of education (some sects got REALLY nervy, and decided that EVERYONE should learn to read, so they could better understand the Bible instead of depending on Priests for understanding), rising political power of the non-clerical class (who didn't like the papacy in control of their financial resources), among a score of other things.

I love the fact the most "whack job" variants of the Christian faith have only been around for a hundred years or so; most people think THEIR version of "the true understanding of God's word" is the only one, and don't realize they were deemed to be "heretics" and "splinter groups" not all that long ago....

[Ernesto]

7. Back to the Sunni & Shia divide........

Can anyone recommend a good book on this topic?

[kwassa]

8. A good book: "Islam" by Karen Armstrong

She is a very good writer, and this is basically the history of the faith, in detail.

She also wrote "A History of God" and "The Battle for God" which looks at fundementalist movements in different religions.

[Ernesto]

9. Ah yes, Karen Armstrong the nun turned writer

Why didn't I think of that?