Wow, who wouda' thunk? Did anyone read any violence in this photo?
Posted on 09/16/2006 7:44:33 PM PDT by Pikamax
The Muslim world is in ferment, or even more ferment than usual, as a result of a speech given by Pope Benedict XVI at Regensburg University. Ben took a swipe at the notion that Islam is an inherently peaceable, easy-going, happy-go-lucky credo with a core philosophy that proclaims hey, why not live and let live, huh? Rather, he let slip: “Everything Muhammad brought was evil and inhuman,” which has an agreeably crusading, unequivocal ring to it, I think you’ll agree.
He was quoting — as you will be aware — the 14th-century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus and in doing so invoked outpourings of loathing from Jakarta to Jeddah. You can bet your life that by the time you read this, some Catholic priest toiling away in a godforsaken, dusty hellhole — Sudan, perhaps, or Turkey — will have been smacked about a bit, or had his church burnt down or been arrested without charge. The Pope should have been aware that Islam always reacts to western allegations that it is not a peaceful religion by mass outbreaks of vituperation, denunciation and acts of jihadic violence.
That this is a paradox seems not to be even remotely recognised by many Muslims. Commenting on the Pope’s speech, Tasnim Aslam, a spokeswoman for the Pakistani foreign ministry, came out with this little piece of doublethink beauty: “Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence.”
The murderous Muslim Brotherhood was the first out of the blocks, demanding that all Islamic countries cut their ties with the Vatican. The “liberal and moderate” Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi (pro death penalty for homosexuals, female circumcision, suicide bombings against Jews and other similarly tolerant stuff) has insisted the Pope must apologise. Soon the placards will be out, the effigies, the foam-flecked demonstrators and attacks by adolescent suicidal nutters.
Pope Benedict is due to visit Turkey quite soon, but this trip has been placed in jeopardy by his gentle reminder that Islam has had a tendency to gain converts through violence. There have been demands from Ankara that he should apologise if he wishes to set foot on Turkish soil.
A subtle and astute politician, perhaps Benedict should apologise for having caused offence — and then demand by way of reciprocation that Turkey — Islam’s democratic representative in the West — return to Christian denominations the land it has confiscated from them, allow the Christian churches to open seminaries (which they are barred from doing), make it easier to build new churches, and lock up Turks who terrorise priests. And maybe allow Turks to convert from Islam to Christianity without fear of official or unofficial reprisal. A fair exchange?
Ben!....damn it show some respect.
A/K/A Big Ben! Pope Benedict: No I'm sorries not now not later! Do the extremists even need fightin' words in or out of context? I don't think so!
Wow, who wouda' thunk? Did anyone read any violence in this photo?
I think he should demand those things listed WITHOUT apologizing.
I can see Jesus saying what the Pope said; I just don’t see him apologizing!
It's time for a "go ahead and make my day" moment.
Amazing. This guy has a long record as a left-wing nutjob, yet he is one of the very few journalists willing to come out and criticize the Muslims publicly as they deserve to be criticized.
Here's his bio at Wikipedia. Who'd have thought that a guy like that would come out with a column like this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Liddle
It is also worth noting that it took less than 48 hours for some Islamic Iman to issue a Fatwah against the Pope . . . for MERE WORDS! Truthful words, to be sure, but MERE WORDS nevertheless.
It has been 5 years since September 11 and I've yet to hear about a single Fatwah being issued against those who profaned Islam by murdering 3000 innocent people. Has there been such a Fatwah? Will there ever be?
With all this uproar, it will be interesting to see how our new Pope handles this situation. We NEED a strong Pope to stand up and call it what it is!
I hope the Pope calls to his mind the time when Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple and smashed their tables.
And that Pope Benedict stands just as firm in his statements as Christ did in His actions.
Amen!
(No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo! )
He's the Pope, you moron, not a politician. You want him to trade the truth?!?!? Like it's some bargaining chip?!?! Like the muzzies could be trusted anyway?!?! Screw off Liddle!!!!
"The murderous Muslim Brotherhood was the first out of the blocks, demanding that all Islamic countries cut their ties with the Vatican."
This would be a GOOD thing!! That would mean that the Vatican, and by extension, all Catholics, would no communicate with Muslims.
Perhaps the other Christians, Hindus, etc would follow suit and the final realization that there can be no coextence with this cult of death will sink in with the non-Muslim world.
Does anyone know the Pope's webaddress? I'd like to send him a lettter of support.
This may be one of the most ironic statements in history. Can you say stupid?
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