Not again.
The latest in the ongoing series of pronouncements from the current incumbent of the Richard Desmond Chair of Startlingly Obvious Prophesy, University of Wem.
As you may well be aware, the spiritual leader of one quarter of the world's people has just pissed off another quarter of the world's people by being somewhat ill-advised in his choice of words yesterday. I am indebted yet again to my friends at "The Scotsman" newspaper for providing me with the following set of quotes:
Pope, quoting a conversation between the 14th C Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian on the truths of Islam: "The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war. He said, I quote, ‘Show me just what Muhammad 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’.”
Oh dear. Let's paraphrase that a bit. The Pope is reiterating an 800 year old quote that says the only difference between Islam and Christianity is that its followers are allowed to go out and smack people about a bit to get their message across. Not like in the Crusades then.
That's bad enough but then the paper goes on to quote Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the chief cleric of New Delhi’s Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, who urged Muslims to “respond in a manner which forces the Pope to apologise”.
If he means send him a few emails or write to the sodding Telegraph, why doesn't he say it? Don't go and prove him right.
I am in despair.
As you may well be aware, the spiritual leader of one quarter of the world's people has just pissed off another quarter of the world's people by being somewhat ill-advised in his choice of words yesterday. I am indebted yet again to my friends at "The Scotsman" newspaper for providing me with the following set of quotes:
Pope, quoting a conversation between the 14th C Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian on the truths of Islam: "The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war. He said, I quote, ‘Show me just what Muhammad 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’.”
Oh dear. Let's paraphrase that a bit. The Pope is reiterating an 800 year old quote that says the only difference between Islam and Christianity is that its followers are allowed to go out and smack people about a bit to get their message across. Not like in the Crusades then.
That's bad enough but then the paper goes on to quote Syed Ahmed Bukhari, the chief cleric of New Delhi’s Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, who urged Muslims to “respond in a manner which forces the Pope to apologise”.
If he means send him a few emails or write to the sodding Telegraph, why doesn't he say it? Don't go and prove him right.
I am in despair.
posted by Richard at 2:24 pm
12 Vegetable peelings:
Me too. More than anything, I despair at the commentators and leaders of Islam, who cry 'RESPECT' at the slightest slight on their religion; then actively encourage the stupidest of their followers to show absolutely no respect in return.
I read the Pope's speech, briefly. Most of it was deep and academic theological stuff, of little interest outside the Catholic church. His central message seems to be that faith and violence are incompatible.
Good for him.
What Mark said in his first paragraph. Neither heard nor read anything about the Pope so not comment on that bit.
Personally, the fact that these people react to such criticism makes me think that they aren't secure in their faith.
It is all about fear and control of the masses from my "Prophet of the Obvious" viewpoint.
Steve's point. Perhaps the opposite - their faith gives them permission to vent their naturally violent inclinations? That sounds terribly Victorian, doesn't it.
Thin skin seems to be a prerequisite for being one of those 'excitable' revenge fueled indignant infidel slicing effigy burning mullah lovin' fanatical pit bull demonstraters.
Crikey they make it look like a lot of fun.
Hopefully Salman Rushdie will wade right in there and straighten the whole thing out.
they just keep on giving people more reasons to think they're wankers - why why? tch tch.
Coming from a man who was a member of the nazi party, tsk tsk. Even more interesting was the Doomsday code shown on channel 4 on Saturday about evangelists! Religion eh? Thank god I don't have one! LOL
I've heard some fanatical mullah has decreed that tomorrow be a day of rage for all Muslims.
I thought perhaps that was an everyday occurrence, but who knows. I wonder what little joys they will have cooked up for all of us tomorrow?
Calling for the death of the Pope over his remarks only lends credence to the rumors that perhaps these people have anger management issues.
Our glorious Home Secretary is next on the list now. It's like the Spanish Inquisition although this lot only appear to have one chief weapon.
Let's pray they never get the nuclear bomb.
Yes, indeed. Another group of religious maniacs with their fingers on the button. Who's going to stand up for the atheists?
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