But isn't early Christianity comparable with some of the extremist ideas we saw arising in Afghanistan. Where the Taliban were burning books, destroying historic works of art because it was contrary to the Qur'an and other acts of seemingly subjugation. Take a look at Iran, when the mullahs assumed control over the country, they brought in strict Islamic rule, yet today it isn't the subjugated citizens of Afghanistan. The Shaw, contrary to whatever crimes he committed, brought in schools and educational facilities. Having benefited from the knowledge the Iranians gained, even extremists can't take that away. From what I have gleaned, it is that Iranians now enjoy a fairly liberal society(even if it is only somewhat tolerated) and have a voice in the direction of their government. I can only assume from what I have read and I distrust the western media, other Arab countries who have built schools and universities from their oil profits also have a more liberal society. The extremists may call this decadence but what it really is free thought backed by knowledge.
You are right about the extremists here in our own backyard, the leaders for the New American Century for instance. The Bush Administration has been attacking the American media unmercifully and applying tactics we've all read about in 1984. To us here in Canada, we see that what the Americans have failed to learn is that you can't impose an ideal on a people, especially educated people.