Part Two

Some political philosophers are even discussing the need for a Bismarckian-style grouping of our nuclear nations into a bipolar arrangement. Rather easy to work out, as with France reluctant to join the US, and possibly thinking about joining Russia and China in a nuclear power balance. Very likely India would join as well.

Such would also make Iran far more happier, and in fact, further sensible arrangements could allow Iran to go atomic in order to match Israel, which at present with its nuclear arsenal with penetrative warheads, virtually has the Middle East over a barrel as well as the rest of the pro-Islamic world.

If anything ever manufactured terrorist hatred in the Middle East and possibly the world, it was the US letting little Israel go atomic.

How does the global hegemon (the USA) react to violence from Muslims?

By perpetrating violence on Muslims.

Who started it?

Chicken/egg. And probably irrelevant after so many centuries.

How do we deal with this?

Who knows? But jumping up and down and blaming Islam for all the violence in the world helps no-one.

And have we stopped to consider that if papal pontificators ceased to pump out their prejudiced polemical poop perhaps the pressure might plummet?

;-)

"The Pope is in a tricky situation. He can either say that he believes Muslims picked the wrong religion, thereby triggering massive violence. Or he can be a liar with a funny hat. He thought he found a clever middle ground that involves attributing any bad thoughts about Islam to a dead guy and employing weasel words that sound like compliments."

Here we go again, using the long-ago past to justify repeating the same mistakes today.

If everyone could just bring their minds into the present - we, the people of today, could quite simply say "hello - hope everything is well with you, have a really fun day" - to each other - no matter what colour skin we have, or religious beliefs we may or may not hold? Yes/no?

I realised long ago I can only ever truly be responsible for my own words and actions. I try to choose them wisely - even though I am just an ordinary, everyday, kinda guy.

May everyone, in peace, live happily ever after - sustainably of course!

Leigh,

Visit the official German government archives website and see Hitler speeches and Biography (start with his April 1922 speech). Cardinal Pell denial was exactly my point to Sells: terror and violence was committed in the name of different religions and not only Islam.

“Perhaps more time spent on your fellow Muslims would be more productive. If you cannot convince other Muslims that terror and violence is not acceptable”

Above comment is quiet naïve for 2 reasons: a) there is 100 to 200 thousand fundies around the world in a 1.492 Billion Muslims which works out 0.01%. b) Fundies don’t change by talking. After Islamic Jihad assassinated the Egyptian President in Egypt in 1980, the Sheikh of Alazhar Mosque (highest Islamic religious authority) issued a fatwa against violence in the name of Islam. He simply became their target and they bombed an Islamic school killing a 9 y.o. girl.

Islamofacism primarily targeted other Muslims and it was in action at least two decades before 11 September 2001. If Islam and Muslims is what wakes you up in the morning then at least researches the topic and be objective.

Noddy,

Unpleasant passages in the Quran existed for a reason of that time and within constraints. There is a number of references (19 to be exact) to ‘fight those who fight you and shall not transgress’. Which is a clear no brainer: self and land defence when and if attacked by an enemy. No transgression, no terrorism, no murder of innocents. Its clear and simple to all Muslims (99% of Muslims to be more accurate).

The ideology of violence is not based on the Quranic passages as such but rather on interpretations written in the 10th and 11th century AD by a number of scholars unfortunately. Although these scholars wrote what they wrote under the influence of the crusades wars, their books and ideologies are still in circulation.

Kevin,

Spot on comment. Focus on today issues is what we need.

Nahum,

"I guess it all depends on whether we think that there is one truth, or one revelation of the truth that is legitimate and all others are fallacy"

Note: you are assuming religious pluralism is true which is the acceptance of one truth to the exclusion of all others.

Given both islam and Christianity claim to be historical religions perhaps you should look at the historical veracity of both.

http://www.amazon.com/Reinventing-Jesus-Vinci-Other-Speculations/dp/082542982X

The doctrine of religious pluralism rests on the premise that God would not act the way we find in the Bible. The way God revealed Himself in the New Testament is wrong and that he would not be so selective.

A quick glance around the universe reveals selectivity right the way through. Solar system has only one planet with life, only one species is rational, only women give birth, some to loving parents some to abusive, some are born into poverty and violent societies some into wealth and privilege. The principle of selectivity is ubiquitous in the universe though some of us with our democratic sentiments would have everyone start at the same place on their journey.

This principle operates in the Bible with the singling out of the Jews for a special honour, but looking at history we see how this has also been a great burden. With superiority comes responsibility. Humans are superior to animals but it doesn't mean we have carte blanche to exploit them; on the contrary we have more responsibility to treat them well because we know better.

Christians believe Jesus was God incarnate, muslims do not. Both cannot be correct. If Christians are correct then we simply know more about reality than anyone else, we have seen God in a unique and definitive way.

Our Lord commanded us to spread the Good News, not with the sword, but by extinguishing hatred in ourselves and following his example. We're still the early Christians there is much work to do.

We have our apostolic responsibility, adopting silly anti Christian philosophies is not what Our Lord asks of us.