Western Civilization

It is claimed by Christians that Christianity built Western civilization. If this were true, how come the rich white Americans lived comfortably on black slave labor in America for a great many years? How come the poorest, most backward, nevertheless only Christian country in Asia – the Philippines - never got to be a prominent part of Western civilization? More to the point: if the Christianity built Western civilization, how come the Filipinos in this already 21st century have not learned to grasp the values of forethought and the power of knowledge; still have not learned what it means to love one’s country, what it means to love fellow-citizens, and indeed, how to enjoy a refined heart to love and a developed mind to respect - one another? If we were such as civilized Western nation and, as the only Christian country in Asia – how come the Christian authority got one of the greatest – the most noblest of Filipinos – a thinker and a humanist – Jose Rizal – arrested, incarcerated, and the publicly executed? In fact, thanks to the teachings of Christianity the majority of Filipinos do not know what exactly Jose Rizal stood and died for in his own land under the rule and authority of Christian power and supremacy. In the meantime, Christian terrorism had been behind the Crusades, the Inquisitions, and the mass killings of “witches” and heretics. Many of these heretics were only guilty of expressing ideas then that are now commonly accepted as the science of social reform. With the threat of heresy, Christianity effectively set back humankind's scientific and social advancement by hundreds of years. Christianity is also at the root of most of today's international problems. Just imagine how much more peaceful the world would be without belief in one God or one Son of God causing so much strife, hate and war. In the ultimate analysis, however, if Christianity build Western civilization, how come the teachings of Jesus Christ played an important part in the division between Catholics and Protestants that historically torn apart the Western world, still divides Northern Ireland, and indeed, has kept the Philippines left behind in the race for growth and development as a civilized nation of Asia?