Yeah, my dad wasn't a Muslem. I can't stand how all my friends give me crap, just joking around but still, about terrorist BS. I've got straight black hair and a thick black beard, so if I don't shave for 3 or 4 days my friends all start to nag me and call me a terrorist. Not real funny to me, but they find it hilarious, probably because I get mad.

I saw an educational TV program recently saying that unlike the U.S., Turkey could never have a statement such as "In God We Trust" on their currency. Also I believe traditional Islamic dress is not allowed in government buildings.

Yeah, at one point there used to be a TON of Armenian Christians...at one point. Cato

There are many Armenian Christian, Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant Christian and Suryani in Turkey. And they all have their churches and freely live as they like their religion. In Turkey, Ottoman Empire and Seljuks it was always free to live your religion as you like for the last 1000 years. In the last 1000 years Anatolia never witnesses religious discrimination unlike most of the rest of the world. Try to know what you are talking about. It is wiser.

Pars,

Sorry for the double post, I understand full well that the Ottoman Empire was multi-cultural, multi-ethinc, and for the majority of its history, more tolerant religoeusly than any European state. However, I wouldn't bring the line of Turkey as a bastion of rectitude and understanding to Watertown, Mass. or Fresno California. As to Turkey being or not being an Islamic country, I'm not sure that you (meaning your countrymen) have made up your minds about it yet. I certainly look forward to getting a better idea, as I'm visiting Istanbul and the Ionian coast in April. See ya' then. Cato

I suggest you to come at summer. I am sure you will change your opinion when you see lots of beatiful girls in bikinis at the coast. :)

I would if I could, brother, but the trip is set in stone. If I changed my itinerary, I would lose my free place to stay. I have several friends who think that the Ionian Coast (sorry, don't know the Turkish term for it) is the Garden of Eden. They did, however, advise me to stay away from the Anatolian hinterland. No problem, I'm a beach person;)! Have you traveled in the U.S. Pars? Cato

Every year to Historicon.