Great Divide: Failure of Islam and Triumph of the West [Paperback]

Alvin J. Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

Documents from reliable historical sources the chasm-wide differences between the Western world and the world of Islam using Islam's Koran. Contrasts the teaching of religion and the differing religous practices of the east and west and their results in day-to-day living.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alvin J. Schmidt PhD., (University of Nebraska) retired in 1999 as a professor of sociology at Illinois College. He has contributed to many journals and is the author of several best selling books including: Under The Influence - How Christianity Transformed Civilization and The Menace of Multiculturalism - Trojan Horse In America.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Regina Orthodox Press,Csi (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1928653197
• ISBN-13: 978-1928653196
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

94 of 100 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Book that Honestly Compares Islam to Christianity, August 24, 2004

By 

Trying To Survive "Trying" (Portland OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Divide: Failure of Islam and Triumph of the West (Paperback)

There is a story that both the Democrats and the Republicans won't tell. It is the story of a failed foreign policy based on political correctness rather than facts. Supposedly we are in a "war on terrorism" and/or fighting a few "evil men." Why they are evil and why they are terrorists is never explained by our leaders. What our eventual goal in our war with these "evil men" is, is not explained. It can't be articulated because there is an elephant in the room that few have the political courage to mention.

The unmentionable elephant is Islam. It is unmentionable because according to the currently acceptable rules of political correctness, we are never, ever, EVER allowed to say anything unkind about any one's religion. In fact we can't even mention "Islam" in the same breath as "terrorism" unless we preface our remarks with words like "fundamentalist" or "extremist" or "radical" or "Islamist" to prove we don't mean to disparage the "vast majority of Muslims" who are said to be peace loving and misunderstood Jeffersonian democrats as harmless as the Amish and of sweet disposition, something like the late Mother Theresa. We are told again and again that if we only would take the time to "understand Islam" we'll come to love it.

Now at last there is a book that gives us the facts. Islam is a failure measurable by every standard from science, to economic development to human rights. In "The Great Divide" Alvin Schmidt has done a great service to his readers. The first chapter begins by comparing the life of Jesus Christ with Muhammad. A lot of the information revealed in this chapter cites highly unfavorable, but corroborated facts about Muhammad, facts that Muslims are not permitted to hear, read, or talk about in Islamic countries.

The second chapter focuses on how early Christianity grew and expanded during its first 300 years without resorting to any form of violence, even when countless numbers of Christians were severely persecuted, as opposed to Islam, which from the time of its inception in 622 frequently and widely employed the sword to expand and grow.

The third chapter surveys the role of women in the West versus the role of women in Islamic countries. Chapter 4 concentrates on the moral issue of slavery. It shows that slavery was first outlawed in the West, where Christianity had its greatest presence. Unknown to many, this chapter documents and shows that slavery still exists today in some Islamic countries in Africa.

In the fifth chapter the Christian concept of charity is compared with the Islamic practice of Zakat. The latter is often loosely translated as "charity." But the chapter shows that the two are not the same, especially not in terms of what charity originally meant. The sixth chapter, "The Crusades and the Rest of the Story," provides evidence that the Crusades began as defensive just war as a result of the West having experienced numerous military attacks and invasions from Islamic forces.

Chapter 7 shows the differences regarding liberty and justice between the West and Islamic countries are significant and prominent. Chapter 8 explores the question of which religion, Christianity or Islam, has provided the most favorable conditions to the growth and development of modern science.

The ninth chapter discusses the differences between Islam and the West in regard to the relationship between religion and the state. The tenth chapter examines the question of whether Islam is a "peaceful religion," as is often heard today. To answer this question, the chapter looks at Islam's 1,400-year history, including what the Koran and the Hadith reveal on this matter.

The last chapter discusses the effects Islam's apologists (Muslims and non-Muslims) are having in the West today. It notes that apologists in the West's current environment of political correctness not only are disallowing discussion regarding anything unfavorable to Islam, regardless of the facts, but also, are posing a major threat to the Judeo-Christian culture of the Western world.

This is the best book on the subject and should be read by everyone. "The Great Divide" is a masterpiece.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sociologist Compares Christianity to Islam, January 18, 2005

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Great Divide: Failure of Islam and Triumph of the West (Paperback)

Schmidt writes this perspective on Islam from a sociologist's perspective also viewing it somewhat from the viewpoint of history and theology. He convincingly shows that the current view of Islam's history and beliefs compared with Christianity's is somewhat distorted and untrue.

He aspect by aspect shows how today's world is not shown the entire breath of Islam's past and current cultural and theological stance on many societal issues: women, charity, liberty, justice, war and peace, Jesus, the Crusades, science and medicine, law. These are all fascinating and enlightening discussions, and at the least would fester further research and inquiry into interested subject matters with bibliographical materials included for such persual.

If one seeks but a theological comparison of the two, one would be wise to check out the best source I have found: Norman L. Geisler and Abdul Saleeb's "Answering Islam: The Crescent in Light of the Cross."

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most up-to-date one-volume treatment of Islam yet-great buy!, August 24, 2004

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Trinitarianism "Trinitarianism" (CA United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Great Divide: Failure of Islam and Triumph of the West (Paperback)

A spate of volumes on Islam have come out in the last decade. The author, Alvin Schmidt, was able to take advantage of all this new scholarship to draw the proper conclusions about Islam. The author then condensed all the pertinent facts that back up his conclusions, and put it all into eleven, easy-read chapters!
I especially appreciated pages 24-26 and 289 where Alvin Schmidt addresses the "Allah was a Moon god" debate that is raging, mostly via the Web. There he mentions that Yoel Natan has a lengthy book coming out on how Allah was a Moon god.
This all shows exactly how cutting edge Alvin Schmidt's research is, and it shows that he does not shy away from controversial topics, either! This is the kind of book I want to read on Islam!