By Craig P. Dixon, southcoast247.com correspondent Social Commentary 78
September 26, 2006
Last week, the Pope (the voice of God according to Roman Catholics), said something that really pissed off the Moslem faith. He directly quoted Manuel II Paleologos, a Byzantine Emperor, who stated, "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."
Of course this is debatable. One could counter with the fact that the Christian faith, once accepted by Constantine as the state religion of the Roman Empire, was spread largely through conquest.
Instead, the Moslem reaction was, well, diverse. The more moderate asked the Pope to rescind the quote and apologize for using it in such trying religious times. The more extreme immediately called for the assassination of the Pope and violence against Christians. It’s amazing how, (dare I say) insecure people can be.
The Pope hasn’t apologized. Furthermore, he’s said the quote was (surprise) misinterpreted by the Islamic community and has called for meetings with Moslem scholars.
Personally, I don’t think there’s much to misinterpret. Why use a quote such as that in any speech, unless you’re taking a jab at Islam? It’s like that dope W using the word “crusade” to describe the war on terror. It’s something you just don’t do. It’s not politically correct.
But who’re the Moslem people to complain? Their most visible mouthpieces constantly call for the destruction of the West, jihad against the US, her interests, Jews and Christians, immediate conversion of non-Moslems to the faith (nonbelievers go straight to hell after they fall as collateral damage in the grand jihad), claim the Holocaust never happened, fail to recognize Israel as a state, and, yes, ironically practice acts of violence in protest of stupid shitty cartoons and the restating of an ancient quote by a Pope who was once a member of the Hitler Youth. Oh, and make verbose, terrible books like Salman Rushdie’s, “The Satanic Verses”, best-sellers by declaring fatwahs against the authors: All over a few words.
The list, ladies and gentlemen, goes on and on every which way, down every religious path. It translates to a much more serious version of junior high drama in my eyes.
Fear is the driving power of religion. And once you’re locked in, you’ve become zombified by doctrines written by men and claimed to be the word of God.
Then you’re a weak-minded, easily controlled pawn, ready to commit any action in the name of your particular God. Unfortunately, the name of the game is never God, but some very ephemeral, selfish political motive. The blood spilt in the name of God could easily put a primer and two coats of crimson over this planet.
I digress. We were talking about the uproar of people when they’re a) criticized, b) mocked, or c) mentioned poorly in conversation. Seems nobody can take a joke these days.
People are absolute insecure pussies. Nobody has the stones to stand and take a little verbal abuse these days. Far too often I’ve seen dopes move to throwing punches over a few dumb words in a bar. And I’ve seen nations drop bombs over what equates to two drunken clowns jawing off at each other over a girl. I’m fucking over it.
Balls should be the word of the day. People should grow some and learn to leave things well enough alone. Be like the Stoics of Ancient Greece and take it.
And move forward.
(P.S. “The Moratorium”, or, “God’s Word’s as Deciphered by His Prophet, Craig Dixon” shall be in publication sometime next year. Pick up a copy. Declare a fatwah. Make me rich!)
Comments? craig@southcoast247.com
Of course this is debatable. One could counter with the fact that the Christian faith, once accepted by Constantine as the state religion of the Roman Empire, was spread largely through conquest.
