You knew this would result in a sh*tstorm, right?

Nearly all of this post is in the extended entry, because not everyone appreciates strong language.

On September 12th, Pope Benedict XVI quoted a medieval text, in context with his chosen topic. His message [in part]: ‘Religious violence is contrary to God’s nature’.

At the university in this medieval city, on the fourth day of a six-day tour of his native Bavaria, the pope quoted Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Paleologus in conversation with “an educated Persian”: “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.”

In contrast to fanatic abuse of religion, the pope said, in Christianity “the fundamental decisions made about the relationship between faith and the use of human reason are part of the faith itself.”

[Someone please alert Rosie O'Donnell.]

The Pope also spoke about Western culture, to “avoid ‘the contempt for God and the cynicism that considers mockery of the sacred to be an exercise of freedom.’”
Wow. Don’t see any Catholics rioting in the streets.

Shortly afterwards, people alerted by websites like CAIR, started this:

In West Bank attacks on four churches, Palestinians used guns, firebombs and lighter fluid, leaving church doors charred and walls scorched by flames and pocked with bullet holes. Nobody was reported injured. Two Catholic churches, an Anglican one and a Greek Orthodox one were hit. A Greek Orthodox church was also attacked in Gaza City.

A group calling itself “Lions of Monotheism” told The Associated Press by phone that the attacks were a protest of the pope’s remarks on Islam.

Now the Vatican reports that the Pope sincerely regrets offending Muslims.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. also released a statement ending with: “What is clear then, is the Holy Father’s desire to cultivate an attitude of respect and dialogue towards other religions and cultures, including, of course, Islam.”

The apology satisfies none of those fellows in the picture and those like him…

Morocco recalled its ambassador to the Vatican on Saturday to protest the pope’s “offensive” remarks, and Afghanistan’s parliament and Foreign Ministry demanded the pope apologize.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted the pope apologize to the Muslim world

Since it’s clear that some people just aren’t listening, I’d like to add my .02!

Mohammed Bishr, a senior Muslim Brotherhood member in Egypt, said the statement “was not an apology” but a “pretext that the pope was quoting somebody else as saying so and so.”

BECAUSE HE WAS, YOU IDIOT.

“We need the pope to admit the big mistake he has committed and then agree on apologizing, because we will not accept others to apologize on his behalf,” Bishr said.

FUCK YOU. If you and your religion are not strong enough to handle this non-event, you need to find a stronger, better God. I can recommend someone, if nothing comes immediately to mind.
Only insane assholes can mete out terrorism to battle an obscure quote. You are after total silence from all quarters but your own. I for one will not keep silent.

Okay, I’m angry. This just tipped the scales somehow.

EDIT: The New York Times, in an unsigned editorial, accuses the Pope of “sowing pain” and prods him for an apology. [What, another one?] Wonder why the article is not signed??
Hat tip to Beth of SWWBO!