It's the Pope's Fault

“ISTANBUL, Turkey — Pakistan's legislature unanimously condemned Pope Benedict XVI. Lebanon's top Shiite cleric demanded an apology. And in Turkey, the ruling party likened the pontiff to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades.” (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213930,00.html)

Okkkaaay. What new reason are Muslims around the world condemning the Pope? …

“By citing an obscure Medieval text that characterizes some of the teachings of Islam's founder as "evil and inhuman," Benedict inflamed Muslim passions and aggravated fears of a new outbreak of anti-Western protests.” (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,213930,00.html)

Let’s take a stroll down Memory Lane. Islam’s founder, Mohammed, converts using the sword. Once Mohammed dies, Muslims start killing each other because they can’t agree how their new religion should proceed. Muslims continue killing non-Muslims and forcing conversions. They conquer nations and become a threat to Western Civilization. So yea, I’d say that some of Islam’s teachings are evil and inhuman.

Let me again cite an important statement: “And in Turkey, the ruling party likened the pontiff to Hitler and Mussolini and accused him of reviving the mentality of the Crusades.”

The ruling party in Turkey is comparing the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church to Hitler and Mussolini? Give me a break. Now, maybe the Popes responsible for burning countless numbers at the stake during the Middle Ages could in some ways be compared to the vile dictators during WWII. But not Pope Benedict XVI (though ironically, he used to be part of Rome’s Inquisition).

What I also find disgraceful is the accusation that the Pope has a Crusading mentality? I’d like to know what implications are behind this accusation. I’m willing to bet they’re based on a false understanding of the Crusades themselves. Most Muslims living in the world today believe that the Crusades were a Western offensive, when in reality they were defensive in nature. The Crusades were necessary against Islamic aggression. In fact, were it not for the Crusades, Western Civilization would not exist. We’d all be speaking some form of Arabic.

Finally, if the Pope’s latest comments incite violence by Muslims in the Middle East, I will scoff at such ridiculous behavior. They get all up in arms over silly cartoons. Now comments by the Pope. Yet every single day in Muslim newspapers there is a call for the killing of Westerner’s children. There is a call for the death of Jews and Christians.

Western Civilization and Islam continue to clash. The sooner we recognize Islam for what it is, the better.

Yup.

It’s days like these I’m thankful that the Triune God is Lord of all the earth, and He does right. We have no need to fear.

PTH