Tariq Nelson

Amir posted some thoughts about the violent reaction of some Muslims to the Pope’s comments. He also posted something that I initially wondered myself:

Of course, to be fair, one can only imagine what those angry Muslims thought the Pope said because at the time that they started protesting, I understand that the speech had not yet been translated into English, Farsi, Arabic or Urdu.

Obviously this is not to endorse the comments, but I wondered how many of the people on the streets burning effigies, those who killed the nun, or those who burning the churches were even familiar with what was said? Or was it simply an excuse to react in a violent manner no matter what?

…suffice to say, Muslims should not react with anger to the Pope’s remarks. Rather, we should welcome the questions that he has raised about our faith and its relationship with reason (logos); and we should welcome the opportunity to respond to his own assertions about the relationship of Christianity with reason

Is this too much to ask?

Link: Marqas’ take:

Like rising gas prices or Brittany Spears, Islam just can’t seem to stay out of the headlines to save its skin. Shock would not quite describe my reaction to this latest round of MGW (that’s Muslims Gone Wild, for those who wanna buy the DVD set). As if the Danish cartoons weren’t enough to keep us busy and entertained the Pope had to go and make some “raucus” comments, that for the most part under my brief examination, I can’t find all that insulting. Please. I get worse on an almost daily basis on campus or at work. [More...]

Link: Aziz’s take:

Such violence is the product of professional thugs who exploit the lack of civil order in their societies, and seek any pretext upon which to wage chaos. Their efforts are barbaric, and they are transient, and they are ultimately futile.[More...]

Link: Some Thoughts on Pope Benedict’s Speech

Link: The State of Things

Link: Apology accepted, but damage is done