Atlas believes the Pope, as exhibited in previous actions, "gets" it - and understands the mortal threat of Islamic jihad. In his latest enormous act of bravery: Pope in ‘freedom’ blast at Islam. Charles predicts, "our 10-day forecast: extended seething, with a 70% chance of rioting and murder by next Friday."
The fact that the Pope made these remarks during the Jewish New Year, erev Yom Kippur is not lost on me.
The Pope has again risked provoking the wrath of the Islamic world, by criticising its treatment of Christians.
It's about time.
Benedict XVI attacked Muslim nations where Christians are either persecuted or given the status of second-class citizens under the Shariah Islamic law. He also defended the rights of Muslims to convert to Christianity, an act which warrants the death penalty in many Islamic countries.
His comments came almost exactly a year after he provoked a wave of anger among Muslims by quoting a Byzantine emperor who linked Islam to violence.
The best quote ever, "‘Show me just what Mohammed
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." BTW I broke the Papal taboo here on the Papal dialogue.
Yesterday, near Rome, the 80-year-old pontiff made a speech in “defence of religious liberty”, which, he said “is a fundamental, irrepressible, inalienable and inviolable right”.
In a clear reference to Islam, he said: “The exercise of this freedom also includes the right to change religion, which should be guaranteed not only legally, but also in daily practice.”
Addressing the problem of Islamic extremism, he added: “Terrorism is a serious problem whose perpetrators often claim to act in God’s name and harbour an inexcusable contempt for human life.”
Full text here. Worth the read.
