September 15, 2006

Muslims rally against the Pope

Pope Benedict really put his foot in his mouth by reading quotes from a 14th century Byzantine Emperor. These quotes reflected the Emperor's analysis if Islam. Hint: He wasn't too impressed. Hint 2: They spread their faith through steel and blood.

Fox News has the story.

So now there are protests all over the Islamic world, you know, places like Britain and India. Next thing you know, they will protest the Pope for stating that Jesus is the Son of God, a blasphemy in the view of Muslim scholars.

This could have been a golden opportunity for Muslims to refute the undeserved stereotypes that the Western media has foisted on them. I mean, spreading faith through the sword? That's ridiculous. Was it by the sword that Islam spread to such diverse places as Jerusalem, Persia, Pakistan, and...

What? It was.

Well, so did Christianity. And they learned to overcome that misinterpretation of their own religion. So I am sure that the Muslims have developed a modern, moderate, tolerant, diverse brand of religious ideology that plays well with the other religions of the...

What? Really? They didn't?

Well, I am sure the Byzantine Emperor's face was covered in egg when he realized that his biased and misinformed understanding of Islam was so far from the truth. I mean, it's not like any Muslims ever attacked the Byzan....

What? I see.

Sorry Muslims, I did all I could to protect your good names. Guess the rest of the work is up to you.

UPDATE by Rusty: Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?---the Turkish version of Becket?