An Eye For An Eye

Speaking Sunday at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, 20 miles south of Rome, Pope Benedict said he was "deeply sorry" for the reaction he caused Tuesday when he quoted Eastern Roman Emperor Manuel II Paleologus's comments in 1391:
"Show me what Mohammed 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 reaction to the pope’s comments has stirred a world-wide reaction among Islamics. To prove the pope was wrong about his comments, violence erupted during the weekend. An Italian nun and her bodyguard were shot to death Sunday at a hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Seven churches in the West Bank and Gaza were attacked Saturday and Sunday in response to the pope's comments. The comments go on and on. I guess Manuel was wrong – Islam is not violent. I do understand that their could be a radical element to this faith, but I also understand that when one is accused of being violent and they say they are not, and then use violence, that’s hypocritical.

Not to let us off the hook, we too can be hypocritical. We have, in many cases, become materialistic, self-reliant and apathetic in our Christian walk. I don’t agree with Islam, but have I totally given myself to Jesus?

Sid