And I quote...

It's been in the news. It's been on the papers. Hell, our parish priest was babbling about it during the sermon too (Yes, I still hear mass every sunday). And everybody's got opinions about the ruckus caused by the Pope criticizing the prophet Mohammed. But has anybody really bothered to read what the pope actually "said" on one of his Encyclicals? For that matter, as a Roman Catholic, have you actually read any encycical any pope has made during your lifetime?

I thought so. Well, you can't stay ignorant forever. Might as well start now.

Lecture of the Holy Father for Unibersitat en Regensburg

This is an English translation of the Deutsche speech Benedict the XVI wrote. Read it first. I'll wait right here.

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Well that was fast.

Anyway, I wont go say the Pope didn't screw this one up and that he can't possibly screw up because he's infallible when he's "in session" (id est, magisterium ordinarium). Infallible my ass. Show me lightning come out of your hands first and then we talk about infallibility.

As a matter of fact I think he made a very poor source of quotes. It was basically like choosing a quote from Playboy Mansion founder Hugh Heghfner for your wedding vows. By doing so, yo just asking for it, dawg.

Anyway, if you read the article, the quote was placed in good context. Unfortunately, Pope should have also considered that not everyone can spare more than a couple of neurons to understand the whole thing. There are always people who will hear "I specifically want to ask you to get the dirty laundry and have coffee with you." and only understand "I... want... to ... get... dirty... with... you."

I wonder why nobody of his advisers ever thought of the possibility that shit will be hitting the fan when the speech went public. The fact that Mohammed's name was mentioned should have raised serious flags in the revisions phase already. I mean, you can hear Bin Laden screaming "Die America" in VHS but you wont hear him ever say "Fuck Jesus." Because he knows better than to fuck with world's most celebrated carpenter with billions of fans.

There are just some things you dont touch. Now it's the rest of the Muslim world (mostly the extrazealous ones) vs. the Pope, as dictated by the media. Latest news says the pope is upset and his apologists have explained the context at which the idea "Mohammed is an advocate of violence" was used. I'd really hate to have that job right now.

But what the hell? Why is this thing dragging on? The solution is right there. Even the narrowminded protesters know it. And it's not like we'd have to sacrifice virgins to settle the offense. What is so hard about the Pope, vicar of Christ, apologising because he'd pushed a couple of freak-out buttons with his words? Is the hat _that_ heavy for him to bow and say "I'm sorry"?

Forget about whether or not the quote was contextual. Apologies should just be there out of politeness , specially ones that stem global religious clashes that might as well be the end of us all. What would Jesus do? (aside from raising Mohammed and appear on TV doing high-fives with the guy)

Pride is a root for sin too. And you'd think being childish is only for playground games.