Tag Archives: Turkey

Asia Minor: Clash of Religions

Asia Minor is the area of the Asian continent encompassed by Turkey.

map via: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/asia_minor_p20.jpg

map via: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/shepherd/asia_minor_p20.jpg

It is basically the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe.  It was multi-ethnic for thousands of years.  Over time, Muslims from all over Asia settled in the area.  The area that the Christian Armenians inhabited is almost right in the middle of Asia Minor. They would face expulsion when ultra-nationalist Turks came to power. The conflict was that Armenians were Christian in a country which pressed for one religion (Islam). In a wave of Islamic fundamentalism, the Christian Armenians were considered infidels.

Turkey Is Not Part of Europe

I think it is a mistake to consider the admittance of Turkey to the EU.

EU_and_TurkeyFirst, it is silly, considering the geographic location of the country. Second, the admittance of Turkey to the EU would completely upset the religious balance of the organization; the admittance of such a large Muslim country to a vast majority Christian organization is only likely to upset the people of the current member states. You could almost say that Turkey has no business joining the EU.

Now, if Istanbul were to break away to form its own independent city state, that would be another issue entirely. You can’t beat the opportunity that such a location presents; and I would admit the city in a heartbeat. I feel, however, that there are more cons than pros in admitting an Muslim state to a largely Christian organization.