Evil and Inhuman?

Pope voices regret

Yesterday, I saw the news of the Pope voicing regret over the discontent caused by words he had spoken earlier. Apparently, during a prior address he referenced an ancient text that referred to the Muslim religion and some of Muhammed's teachings as 'evil and inhuman', and calling Islam a religion that is spread by the sword.

Much of the Muslim community was outraged...because he suggested that Islam was 'evil and inhuman'. So their response? Here are a few examples:

--Al-Qaida in Iraq warned on Monday that its war against Christianity and the West will go on until Islam takes over the world

--In southern Iraq, demonstrators carrying black flags burned an effigy of the pope.

--Al-Qaida in Iraq and its allies said Muslims would be victorious..."We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose the 'jizya' tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (being killed by) the sword."

--"You infidels and despots, we will continue our jihad (holy war) and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks and raise the fluttering banner of monotheism, when God's rule is established governing all people and nations," said the statement by the Mujahedeen Shura Council, an umbrella organization of Sunni Arab extremist groups in Iraq

--"If the stupid pig is prancing with his blasphemies in his house," the group said in a Web statement, referring to the pope, "then let him wait for the day coming soon when the armies of the religion of right knock on the walls of Rome."

--"Those who benefit from the pope's comments and drive their own arrogant policies should be targeted with attacks and protests," Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

--A notorious Muslim extremist told a demonstration in London yesterday that the Pope should face execution. Anjem Choudary said those who insulted Islam would be "subject to capital punishment".

--A nun was shot dead in Somalia by Islamic gunmen and churches came under attack in Palestine.

--As well as placards attacking the Pope such as "Pope go to Hell", his (Choudary's) followers outside the country's principal Roman Catholic church also waved slogans aimed at offending the sentiments of Christians such as "Jesus is the slave of Allah".

Yeah. I don't know what the Pope was thinking.