The furor over comments made by Pope Benedict about the Islamic concept of Holy War continues to grow. Today British Muslims joined in, fiercely criticising his remarks.
The pontiff was accused of falling into "the trap of bigots and racists...when it comes to judging Islam on the actions of a small number of extreme elements."
This argument is getting really, REALLY tired. Apparently, if you listen to Muslim apologists, there are only a few 'bad muslims' and the rest of them are really just swell. Consider the words of Ibn Warraq, author of 'Why I am Not a Muslim:
"Islam is a totalitarian ideology that aims to control the religious, social, and political life of mankind in all its aspects. And I mean Islam. I do not accept some spurious distinction between Islam and Islamic ‘fundamentalism” or “Islamic terrorists.” Their actions reflect the teachings of Islam, whether found in the Koran, in the acts and teachings of the Prophet Mohammad, or in the Islamic law, (Sharia) based on them.”
No...we must misunderstand the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Right?
The Pope's speech quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and an educated Persian on the truths of Christianity and Islam.
"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the Pope said.
"He said, I quote, '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'."
There's nothing bigoted or racist about it. Islam is inherently violent. Deal with it.
Let's take Osama Bin Laden's own words into consideration for a moment:
“We, with God’s help, call on every Muslim who believes in God and wishes to be rewarded to comply with God’s order to kill the Americans and plunder their money...divide their nation, tear them to shreds, destroy their economy, burn their companies, ruin their welfare, sink their ships, and kill them on land, sea, and air.”
Does that sound peaceful? Murder, plunder, and destruction. Allah must be a really nice guy. I guess that's why his Koran has such nice passages as:
- Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God’s religion shall reign supreme. (Koran 8:39)
- Slay the idolators wherever you find them...lie in ambush everywhere for them. (Koran 9:5)
- When you meet the unbelievers in battle strike off their heads. (Koran 47:4)
- Fighting is obligatory for you, much as you may dislike it. (Koran 2:216)
- Believers! Make war on the infidels who dwell around you, let them find harshness in you. (Koran 9:123)
Pakistan's parliament condemned the "derogatory" remarks today and demanded an apology. The country's foreign ministry said they were "regrettable" and claimed they would encourage violence.Encourage violence? Among the believers of such a friendly, nice religion? More like it would give them an excuse to go out and murder and destroy and feel justified.
This IS a holy war, people. And it's not the west who started it.
Muslim fury grows at Pope's speech
