Is Turkey a modern , secular country, or a predominately muslim country?
We speak up...dont shoot us! LOL you made good assumptions but few clarifications (from a turk :)) - modernization was a process started long ago before Ataturk, however he is the biggest contributor to that process, the national hero, made revolutions in every area in his lifetime. and he brought the islam based empire to a secular republic. what brings us back? -diverse ethnic groups (15 million kurds for ex) and the provocations from foreign countries, cause a threat to the unity of the country. i dont try to mention that minorities have no right to ask for their rights, but the real side of the issue is terrorism and separatist movements. -increasing number of religious people, contributed by the religious propaganda carried out through out the world - (maybe you cant understand this but) the middle east plans of usa. EU; we dont want in general. according to the latest polls, more than 90% of the population suspects the future of eu in next 10 years (including me) and public support to eu is around 35% (not including me) eu wants some "solutions" for our major political issues, which we consider these solutions "concessions" these issues; cyprus, armenian (so called) genocide, etc.. almost everyone in the country is strictly against adopting these eu "solutions" these supporters are probably "liberals" and government supporters, who support every government policy without a fine judgement. you see the public support is a bit complicated, but i can say that there is no benefit for us from eu, we rather take uae as a model in modernization and development,they're more backward but at least they're honest. and eu is becoming poorer, money was the only expected benefit from the eu, which is now being soaked up. you asked too many questions, not one :D as a result, and answer to your very first question, turkey is a secular country, adopted secular laws and secular state model. but the low class population is religious. and that region is full of problems and threats.
Why are Catholic countries generally poorer than atheist or Protestant countries?
There is no general rule about the CURRENT wealth of catholic vs. protestant areas : Southern Germany, traditionally catholic is wealthier than the protestant North.However the question should relate to catholic vs. protestant traditions as they influenced the development over the past, when religion was much more important than at present.The best example is the difference of development of North America vs. Latin America. Latin America was europeanized first, had a lot more natural resources, started earlier. While it got rid of Spanish colonial rule during the 19th century (except for Cuba) it’s development is way behind North America’s.The simplest explanation is that the protestant tradition of self-reliance, antonomous thinking has proved more likely to result in economic growth than the catholic hierarchy based tradition. Ever since the Roman Empire and the structure of the catholic church (Pope, cardinals, bishops, priests) the basic idea is that “Daddy knows better”. Don’t bother thinking for yourself, trust the authorites.Of course in the 20th and 21st centuries religion has no longer the paramount importance it had previously. May be the triumphant ethic is confucian : preferring the well being of the group rather than that of the individual. Singapore and China are the success stories we cannot ignore !
Someone suggested that to solved the Mindanao problems, the Philippines should change to an Islamic State?
Agree or disagree on this principle? Do you think the Philippines is ready to embraced Islamic faith just for the sake of Mindanao? In my previous question, I predicated the Philippines is bound to loose Mindanao to Islamic extremist or separatist. It is a well known facts that some quarters in Mindanao are clamoring for secession from the Philippines government and want to establishment their own form of government and since then the Philippines is treating these issues with kids gloves. And for the record if not for the US intercession in the beginning of our history, the Philippines probably is not a Catholic nation but an Islamic one. This is the only country I find soldiers from MNLF/MILF who have their own insignia, uniforms, ammo, guns and their own kind of flag waving across Mindanao. In the US the only entity that can deal with them are the FBI not the military armed of the US Army. Because if the US army will move in they will be pulverized to the pulp and probably blown to smittereens. Even our Philippines Army cannot stopped them in their tracks. We are witnesses to their atrocities by beheading soldiers of the Philippines scout rangers and other military group. An insult to the Philippines military institution. So what do you think is the solution to the problem in Mindanao?