[tet68]

Guess there won't be a Crusade after all.

[goldstategop]

It does reflect my thinking. And I will keep the quote since it accurately describes the state of present day Islam more succinctly than with anything else I could state.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[Van Jenerette]

Why should any critical observation of another religion be 'out-of-bounds' to the Pope or any other Christian or etc. or etc.?

The essence of all Religious belief is to accept ones own religion as 'truth' and all other religions as 'false' religions.

Therefore, a Christian believes that they are right and in sync with 'GOD' and others are lost and not on the 'true' path to salvation; just as all Muslims believe that they are saved and all others are lost, and so on, and so on.

This reaction of the Muslims is plain stupid. The Pope is Catholic; you are not. He believes he is right and that you are wrong.

...that is called the FREE WILL of FAITH. That is why Faith is only Faith if it is made freely...

[Paradox]

Actually, I think the Muslim Brotherhood has backed down.

[TheGeezer]

The Religion of Peace has burned and blown up enough men and women and children and churches and JOOOOOOOOOOOOS for now, I suppose. Heaven forbid that the foundational fact of Islam should be noticed by anyone.

[hellinahandcart]

even if we had wanted the pope to outline his ideas and vision of Islam

Somehow, I don't think the Pope's present "vision of Islam" would make Mohammed happier.

[denydenydeny]

I think the Ikhwan people are smart enough to understand how the violent reactions to the speech are hurting their movement, by proving the Byzantine Emperor's point.

[Cvengr]

The statement further manifests a major difference in a regenerated spirit and a soulish heart.

A soulish heart will tend to bring judgment down to man's level, seeking to lower Christ, while a regenerated spirit is more blessed by encouraging others to rise up to God through faith in Him in all things.

There is no need to bash Muslims, rather the need is to encourage them to have a relationship with God on His terms, by His protocol, in the fashion tht He has already provided from eternity past and acted upon at the Cross.

IMHO, the Pope has provided outstanding example of how to respond rather than react, even in a situation where unrighteousness demands punishment as perceived justice.

[stm]

Papacy: Just kidding, about the apology, that is.

[Man50D]

Last night Julie Banderas of Fox news interviewed and aide to the Pope. The aide clarified the Pope did not regret quoting the Christian Byzantine Emperor. The Pope regretted Islam misinterpreted the purpose of stating the quote. The socialist/main stream media is trying to paint picture the Pope buckled under pressure by Islam. This is a lie.

[John Lenin]

They backed down. He did not apologize for what he said.

[o_zarkman44]

We can consider them a sufficient apology, even if we had wanted the pope to outline his ideas and vision of Islam"

The Pope should be focused on Catholicism and not Islam.
The Pope should vision Christians and have hope for conversion of others to Christianity. It is obvious the Muslims think the Pope should embrace Islam instead.

Apologys won't work. islam is still the agressor.

[maine-iac7]

Nothing like caving in to the barbarians and adding one more notch to their power over the free world.

They certainly are training us well - obey us - do NOT 'offend" us, it is Sharia Law and we intend for the world to obey.

We can offend and be offensive and barbaric as we want and if YOU are offended, we could care less. It is our right as the rightful rulers of the world.

That's hows bullies operate - until someone stands and bloodies their nose real good...

Here are a couple of interesting sites on Islam by Islamics - interesting to note that the free discussion forums have been shut down.

http://www.ntpi.org/html/statement.html

http://www.secularislam.org/Default.htm

[EGPWS]

"We can consider them a sufficient apology, even if we had wanted the pope to outline his ideas and vision of Islam," said Habib, whose opposition Islamist group has inspired similar movements across the Arab world.

It should be sufficient after all about 5 years ago I recall a similar apology when people danced in the streets and cheered "death to America" on 9/12/2001.

[lionheart 247365]

I S L A M the religion of peace .


My @ $ $ . . .

[Mike Darancette]

The Pope said he was "deeply sorry" At the anger caused by his remarks on Islam and said a quote he used from a medieval text about holy wars did not reflect his personal thoughts.

IOW: I'm sorry you are savages. If the Pope didn't believe then why did he say it?

This is the Pope's warning to the western empire.

[tkathy]

I am disappointed. A golden opportunity for a christian leader to lead has shriveled into nothing.

[Texas_Jarhead]

Weakness in the face of islamic idiocy and radicalism is not good.

[jdm]

They took it back. Now they want a CLEAR apology...

Muslim Brotherhood urges clear apology from Pope

Published: 09.17.06, 18:01

Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said Pope Benedict had not made a "clear apology" on Sunday for remarks on Islam that have sparked anger across the Muslim world.

"It does not rise to the level of a clear apology and, based on this, we're calling on the Pope of the Vatican to issue a clear apology that will decisively end any confusion," Brotherhood deputy leader Mohammed Habib told Reuters. Habib had earlier described the Pope's remarks as a "sufficient apology". (Reuters)

[Virginia Queen]

In my humble opinion, the Pope owes NO ONE an apology. The fact that people cannot tolerate hearing the truth about themselves is their problem. Their behavior this past week only confirms the truth of the words quoted.