Deeply Sorry

Scott Hardie | September 25, 2006
I wish I could have brought this up a week ago when it was still happening, but I wonder if anyone else was just as incensed as I was by the angry rejection of the Pope's apology in the Muslim world? (link)

The Pope gave a speech in which he academically quoted an 14th-century emperor critical of Islam. If I happen to discuss World War II with friends and I happen to quote Hitler's words on the subject of the Holocaust, that doesn't mean that I personally endorse the extermination of millions; there is such a thing as quoting someone academically without endorsing their beliefs. How long has it been since there was a pro-genocide Pope, seriously? So, anyway, people got upset because the media quoted the old man out of context, and my heart went out to them because they face criticism all the time, and I wanted to see the Pope acknowledge it. He did, and that wasn't enough for many people. They demanded an apology! The fury would not be denied! So the man broke down, called the press, and apologized. What next? Thousands riot in the streets! They burn the Pope in effigy! An apology is not enough!

Fuck 'em then. They're so determined to be furious with the West and Christianity and supporters of Zion that they continue to act like they have a card to play even after their bluff has been called. To the degree any of them were actually offended by a harmless academic discussion, let them be offended. Let them be angry. They don't deserve any more consideration than they got. The Pope quoted a rather harmless text full of euphemisms like "spread by the sword" to get its point across, and their leaders respond with violent phrases like "slit their throats." The people making this call are not welcome at the global table of public discourse.

The only people I still feel sorry for are the vast majority of Muslims who want nothing to do with this war of words and couldn't care less what the Pope quoted. I sympathize with them because their angry religious leaders don't represent their beliefs any more than Fred Phelps represents mine. I hope there's a future over there where those ordinary people gain real power and put an end to this destructive nonsense.

Mike Eberhart | September 25, 2006
Oh, but Islam is a religion of peace. My ass... They really looked peaceful didn't they?

As I've said before, "PEACE, through superior firepower". That's the only way to take care of these backwards individuals.

Kris Weberg | September 26, 2006
If we're blowing up the "backwards people," I think I'd like to suggest starting with amoral fuckwits whose notion of civilization involves labeling whole religions and regions as fit only for bombing campaigns.

Looking at history, there is no religion of peace. Anyone who thinks otherwise is, as the preceding post demonstrates, usually just ginning themselves up to justify some mass violence on behalf of "their side."

Amy Austin | September 26, 2006
Ouch. Hate to take sides in what amounts to a verbal illustration of said assaults, but... yeah.