response 255 of 293:

Dec 18 23:48 UTC 2003

Re #241:  What I'm saying (as opposed to what you may be hearing, which is
          often different in a BBS conversation) is that polytheistic
          societies DID overcome tribalism and practice nationalism, without
          the help of Judeo-Christianity-Islam.  Repeatedly.  Hell, look
          at Rome.

          As for industrialization -- yes, that did originate in Christian
          countries.  The causal link is not a given, though, since there
          were other factors that led to its originating in Northern Europe.
          (Read _Guns, Germs, and Steel_ for more on this.)