National Geographic

Before leaving the US, I read an issue of the National Geographic about Christians in the Middle East at my dentist's office (yes, some Arabs go to the dentist). It was condescending to Muslims and patronizing about Christians. It also said that basically, the Middle East needs the Christians because they soften the impact of Muslim fanaticism. AT one point, the writer shed crocodile tears over the plight of Christians because--he said--they are a force of "moderation" among the fanatic Muslims. Well, no one religious group has a monopoly on moderation or fanaticism. Just like Muslims can produce fanatics, so can Christians and Jews and others. I mean, some Lebanese Christians have made important contributions in fanaticism (religious and political).