>I think this strw man is a bit tougher than yours, you neglect also
>so mention that the disease spread largly due to the practices of the
>Europeans and others in the areas (Most of whom where Christian)
>in the first place. China and India do not record disease of that nature -
>neither does America,
The Black Plague began in China (it was on the list) and spread through
India. Famine followed by disease brought down the Mayan civilization.
You're simply incorrect.
BTW, what "practices" of the mostly-anything Euopeans are you trying to
allude to?
>but the spread of
>disease can be directly traced to the conquest and spread of Catholocism.
This one is complete bulshit, my friend. The spread of disease can,
however, be DIRECTLY traced the trade routes of merchants. Trade routes
that could be established because *the Romans built paved roads throughout
their empire*! Sorry, but if you want to attach blame to someone for the
spread of ANYTHING in the Old World (and what a useless and pathetic hobby
that is), blame the Romans for making movement between parts of the world
easier. (Roman roads also greatly aided the spread of Christianity as
well, you might note.)
>I dont think it is a straw man with this amount of evidence.
Factually incorrect evidence, on the other hand...
>There is no doubt in my mind
>that there were also other issus that effected life there, but throughout
>the time you mention China and the Middle East were the most advanced
>people in the world, and gaining.
>
>As for not speaking Chinese or Indian, perhaps you have not looked at
>demographics lately, but most the world does speak Chinese or Indian.
The original quote that started this was:
> >We'd be living in space and in other solar systems by now were it not for
> religion. One thousand years were wasted on its man hating beliefs. <<<
With China's overpopulation problems you'd think they'd have transfered more
of their people to the Chinese outposts on Mars and the moons of Jupiter by
now, wouldn't you?
You might be interested in reading _The Lucifer Principal_ by Howard Bloom
some time. He goes a little over the edge near the end, but it is a very
good look at the dynamics of civilizations and their spread and competition
for resources[1].
-Prof. Tim
[1] With lots of meaty footnotes too!