Burn This Blog!

"By the extremist's actions and moderate's silence, the words of Emperor Paleologus are fully justified." It would have been easy for me to satirise the irony of the recent 'protests' in the Muslim world regarding the Popes speech last Tuesday, where he quoted a 14th Century Byzantine Emperor commenting on Islam: "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." - Manuel II Paleologus Regardless of the fact this is a historical quote which has been drawn out of it's original intent and context, I find myself knocked down by the irony. The Pope now finds himself demonised the world over (not so much by Westernised Muslims) for painting Islam as a religion of violence. And how do these loud self-appointed representatives of the peaceful religion of Islam respond to these allegations? With death threats and violence. What Westernised Muslims should now be doing is condemning not the Pope, nor the words of an ancient Emperor, but their misguided brothers and sisters worldwide. By the extremist's actions and moderate's silence, the words of Emperor Paleologus are fully justified. Tags: Abandon All Fear T-Shirts Islam Pope Benedict Pope Speech Islamic Violence Muslim Extremists Religion Paleologus Add to del.icio.us