Yes, but how can we blame the Jews?

I'm no fan of Pope Benedict XVI, for religious, social or personal reasons. But the man made a speech. He made a specific reference to an old text, noting multiple times that he was quoting it, not stating it as personal opinion. And yet, that's not good enough.

Here's what he said:

Quoting a 14th-century Christian emperor who said the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had brought the world “evil and inhuman” things, the pope said, “He said, I quote, ‘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.’”

The German pope was quoting from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and an educated Persian on the truths of Christianity and Islam.

The instantaneous analysis of what he said boils into this:

1) He said Islam was a religion of evil and violence.
2) We've been insulted. Islam is not a religion of evil and violence.

Which has led to reactions like these, and actions such as:

1) His being targeted in a suicide attack
2) At least one cleric calling for the equivalent of a fatwa
3) A nun being shot dead
and
4) A Greek Orthodox church being burned

Among no doubt many other expressions that wholly refute the notion that the religion has any connection or ties to violence, or that terribly-relative concept of "evil."

I took classes on Islam pre-9/11 and post 9/11. I know that in its heart, Islam is no more about violence and evil than Christianity or Judiasm. They're all steeped in blood up to some level thanks to so-called leaders and their history, yet that's not the true meaning.

That said, d'you think there might be better ways to decide to protest such statements than by, uh, killing and burning and calling for murder? Just -- maybe?

Well, at least there's Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, who know how to gracefully accept an apology and be reasonable. In this case, at least, if not always.

I frankly don't get it. Is Islam so fragile that a hateful (if poorly conceived) set of cartoons, or a centuries-old quotation will so damage it that the only recourse is death? It feels like when you read those stories about someone getting gets shot because the victim dissed the shooter's mother. Is there no sense of proportional reaction? Or are we just supposed to blame the clerics, who look for any opportunity to blow up any and all perceived outrages until it becomes an abusive "it's just you and me against the world" relationship with their followers? At what point do the moderates and peace-loving Muslims stand up and say "this is not us?"

Because someone really needs to.

Also: An analysis I rather liked - And the Offended Shall Inherit the Earth?