Is the war in Afghanistan and Iraq (in essance, even the whole 'war against terrorism' a religious w

It is true that I am supporting that the religious war of today is interrelated with the religious wars of past. This is evident in the fact that the Muslim/Christian factions conflict is not new, and has, in fact, not ceased for over a thousand years. This is the 'war against terrorism' that Propaganda has labelled it. But is it really a war against terrorism, or an unconventional religious conflict fought between attempted dominants? As for the secular reasons for the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it is true that the safety and liberty of the people needed to be considered, tyrannical puppet dictators needed to be overthrown and Kuwait protected, but by retaliating to religious action, Bush made it a religious war for the Christian West. You have agreed that the Muslim factions are holding a 'Holy War', and, as such, by retaliating, the United States, NATO and 'Christian' faction, comprised of Infidels, has penetrated into a labyrinth of religious sentiments and angers that have sparked an all out Religious War. ~ Next I will address your statement in Post 1, where you state that the majority of Islamic peoples do not fight against the Christian West. This is true, but then perhaps that is because many of the people whom aren't soldiering are women or children, aged, helpless, injured, businessmen or have families to feed and other responsibilities. The Qua'ran (The Islamic religious core. I do believe that obeying the Qua'ran is one of the five pillars to get to heaven, is it not?) clearly states in several places that the Infidels must be eradicated and that those who die 'honourably' in Jihad will go directly to Heaven. This is why there have been terrorist suicide bombings and events, taking out dozens of innocents along with them. It is this that makes the war religious. It is this exhortation that drives the warriors and radicals into waging war and spreading fear against the Western 'Christians'. They don't need to eradicate us, they just need to make us fearful and submissive. And it is the Qua'ran that ensures that the Islam peoples will never accept the West and will never truly ally themselves to the West unless they are able to gain power. For example, the current regime in Afghanistan is led by President Karzai and his brother, whom are both suspected of being involved in the opium trade and other unscrupulous deeds in order to gain power and wealth. The soldiers of the Afghanistan National Army each are there only because they are paid and capable of feeding their families. Yet, even though they have the numbers, does it not strike you as peculiar that they aren't able to stand against the Taliban (their former rulers and brothers) without Western support? I would venture to say that they don't truly want to, unless they can benefit in some way (for example, if Karzai turns out to be a better leader than the Taliban regime). Turkey and many of its allies stand to gain if the West is with them, but now Turkey has expressed (minor) Anti-West sentiments and the (Muslim) Arab League still exists in strength. This society is the only International brotherhood that has and will be formed within the Muslim nations (other than the UN, which most have joined and stand to gain from). I think that we have seen that the sentiments of many Islamic people, even here in the West, is not pro-West. The Moslems still don't allow their women to wear Western clothes (unless they more relaxed in Islamic tradition, and, such aren't inclined to wage war upon the West, anyway), they insist on wearing turbans (even in the police force, at least in Canada), the Sikh peoples won't give up their Kirpans, even the children in school. These are subtle ways at which the Islamic people are attempting to whittle away the Christian society and convert it into their own. I believe that in society of today, such Christian references as, 'Christmas', have been turned to 'X-mas' or 'Happy Holidays' in order to be politically correct. Also, those whom are don't wish to offend those of other cultures; however, I don't see the Islam peoples trying not to offend those of the West, en masse (it is true that those whom have been born here may take the effort). And this is excluding the violence, shootings and bombings that have been experienced in Canada, US and Britain. The Fort Hood shootings linger in our memories. Also, for a few more examples, an Islamic guerrilla training camp stumbled upon by authorities in Canada, just north of Toronto. These guerrillas were training with heavy weaponry and even had a tank or two on the premises. I can go on to list several other events, such as the Father and mother whom killed their three daughters and ex wife in Canada because of the belief that the three girls were becoming to 'Western' in thought. And, lastly, what about the chap whom threw his shoe at Bush? A reporter, no less. Thus, I have negated my opponent's resolution about the Anti-West sentiments of the people. ~ And so I will move on to negate my opponent's secular historical theory, as that is all it is. The Byzantine Empire was a Christian Roman sector that controlled the Mediterranean. It was established as a second state (With Constantinople as its capital) due to a weakening of the entire empire. At the time of the rise of Islam, Byzantine was, yes, built on Hellenic foundations, but was also an entirely Christian State. Constantinople was fortified in order to halt the Huns, the Arabs, the Persians and then, later on, the Islamic Arabs. It became the Christian 'headquarters' during the Crusades (except for the sole time that the Crusaders mysteriously sacked it). Yes, its societal foundation was Hellenistic (and, by that time, mostly of Latinistic. By the time of the split of the Roman Empire, Rome has mush of its own culture, ideals and philosophies and architecture), but the reason for war was the inevitable Christian Empire vs Islamic Empire. Thus, I have negated my opponent's claims that the war was secular and Hellenistic in nature, as Byzantine was a Christian state at the time of the Arab wars. ~ Now, I'll address my opponent's argument regarding the West. Our goal does not have to be a complete extermination of the opposing race. That would be genocide, of which we, as moral society, oppose. Instead, we also have accomplished in this religious war. I do believe that the Islamic countries of Iraq and Afghanistan have fallen into the West's hands. Western (US) influence is all that keeps certain tyrannical regimes as rulers. The Islamic peoples are largely not free to operate without Western supervision and 'guidance'. We do not have to conquer and exterminate them to win, we merely have to exercise control over them and show them that the power of the West is substantial, an action that has already been achieved. As I stated in my opening, by retaliating to a religious instigation, Bush, whether or not he acknowledged it, had drawn his country deeper into the Religious series of wars that we have already experienced and seen - beginning for the US at Tripoli. After this, the US has been repeatedly engaged in fighting against Islam, and has since meddled in Islamic affairs perpetually The Taliban was an oppressive Muslim ruling group, the Al Qaida is a radical Islamic Group there are dozens of other Insurgent forces with Islamic bases. These groups keep the religious wars alive. You're welcome, and thanks to you, also. : )