I believe the sentence which Muslims found so offensive...

Submitted by J.S. (Canada), Sep 22, 2006 at 15:34

was not the "theme" of the Pope's lecture. The actual theme (you might recall, if anyone's read the title of the lecture) was actually to deride the West. According to some the pope's intention was to have a return to the Greek philosophers.

Oh, and i now hear that the pope will be inviting Muslims to the Vactican...for a little tete a tete. How nice. I just hope he doesn't suddenly feel compelled to out-do the former pope in his obsequiousness to Muslims. (I guess we should all be grateful that Arafat is dead.)

I also read that the Somali nun who was shot in the back -- her dying words were: "I forgive you; I forgive you." Such a statement -- is this masochism? And why, if the pope so desires a "dialogue" with Muslims, why would he deliberately shoot himself in the foot by using an offensive quote (the quote, I don't believe was an "accident.")? Now it's the catholic church which must placate the angry, outraged hordes of Islam's leaders, and these leaders can only delight in posing themselves, once again, as the mightily aggrieved party. Has the church never thought about "leverage," "bargaining power"? Now it's Islam holding the club. But, then maybe that's the way masochists want it.

I don't trust the catholic church in being resolute in fighting Islamic extremists...this latest bout makes me even more sceptical...just consider Italy, France, Spain -- look at these appeasers...I have to shake my head...how long does the West have?

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