The big story: Pope upsets Muslims, not the historical reality

Maybe there are reasons informing Benedict's thought that the BBC does not give (nor the Pope, to be honest). Islam was indeed spread by the sword.

Speaking to an academic audience in Germany, the Pope quoted a Byzantine emperor who characterised Islam as a violent religion.

While the Pope insisted the remarks did not reflect his own views [PC, what? MC], the speech was widely reported and caused anger across the Islamic world [Oh dear, that really will not do, will it? MC].

Ali Bardakoglu, the head of Turkey's directorate general for religious affairs, which controls Turkish imams, referred to the controversial speech at the meeting with Pope Benedict.

"Such accusations and attempts can only serve to encourage those who perform wrong-doing on behalf of religion by way of exploitation," he said in a speech...

So, I guess, the Pope is responsible for Muslim against Muslim violence in Iraq, or something. Where is the, er, context--historically speaking?

Mark C.

Posted by markc at November 28, 2006 09:03 PM