What are the differences between Muslims and Greeks?

Answer 1

Muslims and Greeks differ especially in the fact that "Muslim" denotes a religious/spiritual commitment while "Greek" denotes a nationality. Thus, while "Muslims" can be found as citizens in many different nations, even of Greece, the term itself indicates values and views that are drawn from the religion of Islam, not from any particular nation.

However, historically, people in the Aegean used religion as an ethnic identifier. Those who were Muslim were said to be "Turks" regardless of whether they lived in what is typically considered Greece or Turkey and regardless of whether they actually spoke Turkish. Conversely, being a Greek Orthodox believer made one Greek by the same token. Once it is understand that the question is more properly asking what the difference is between Greeks and Turks, the question is much easier to answer.

The fundamental difference between Turks and Greeks is the historical reaction to the Ottoman Empire as an experience. The Turks see it as their historical empire and their birthright. In their view, it was a harbinger of peace, tolerance, and sophistication. The Greeks see it as the empire that destroyed the Byzantine Empire, reduced them to second-class status, stole their children through devşirme, and poached people from their religion.

There are other minor differences, such as:

• Today, Greeks speak Greek and Turks speak Turkish.
• Greeks eat pork and Turks do not, but most of the non-pork dishes are identical between the two groups.
• Greeks are predominantly Greek Orthodox Christians and Turks are predominantly Sunni Muslim.

Answer 2

The fundamental difference between Turks and Greeks is the historical reaction to the Ottoman Empire as an experience. The Turks see it as their historical empire and their birthright. In their view, it was a harbinger of peace, tolerance, and sophistication. The Greeks see it as the empire that destroyed the Byzantine Empire, reduced them to second-class status, stole their children through devşirme, and poached people from their religion.

There are other minor differences, such as:

• Today, Greeks speak Greek and Turks speak Turkish.
• Greeks eat pork and Turks do not, but most of the non-pork dishes are identical between the two groups.
• Greeks are predominantly Greek Orthodox Christians and Turks are predominantly Sunni Muslim.