"I feel less alone when I read the books of Ratzinger. I am an atheist, and if an atheist and a pope think the same things, there must be something true. It's that simple! There must be some human truth here that is beyond religion". (Fallaci)

the pope was quoting a 14th century byzantine emperor, but ironically, today's jihadists are doing everything possible to prove him correct. they are showing the violent intolerance that seems to be endemic in fundamentalist islam, as they attack jews, christians, buddhists, and even other moslems. the pope's speech was only remarkable because the vatican has never had the moral courage to speak out against moslem fundamentalist terror before. it also pointed out that this is not a new phenomenon - it is no coincidence that the word "assassin" comes to us from arabic. whatever islam may aspire to be, these jihadists are clearly bent on reviving the worst that islam has to offer.

duh...

uh... so ... they are saying the same thing as the pope... islam: if it didn't exist, monty python would have invented it

The pope is clearly giving an example of what the Christian (not Catholic) anacronistic view of Islam during the 14th Century was like. I dont know if anyone noticed or not, but it is obvious that even though the pope didn't say anything anti-Islamic he is still apologizing for even a slight air of anti Islamic feeling. Also note that the Evil Neo Facist Right Wing Evangelical Fundamentalist Protestants haven't done a thing to help bring peace to the Middle East. I would bet money that they are still incredibly anti-Semitic also.

The Pope, whether liked or not, is a powerful charismatic symbol among more than one sixth of the globe's population. Further pressing the insulting campaign being conducted by the lunatic Muslim fringes will cause serious and irreparable backlash against any and all who profess Islam. Muslems beware of your actions.

is still pondering what to do with Iran

then muslims are worshippers of a rock. what's the difference?

Rage, anger, burning, fury......and so on. If we in the West resorted to such outbursts everytime our various religions were villifiied by Muslims we would have no time to work, spend time with our families and possible educate ourselves. These people are lacking in something fundamental - the will to be decent people, (or maybe it's the will of their allah to behave the way they do?)

The Muslims seem like such a peace loving and quiet folk...nothing to do with this whole convert or we kill you stuff

Doesn't the very reaction of the Muslims on Pope Benedict's statement verify the truth of that statement! World, wake up! Does Pope Benedict have to appologize for telling the truth?

I like to hang out, drink, and watch the babes. Apparently Osama has succeeded and I can not spend my tourist dolalrs their anymore.

The church is dysfunctional (see pedophilia scandal). Why should we be surprised by these less-than-helpful comments?

With over a billion followers, stand up to islam! Whip up the fervour of your followers against those who will crush you if you do not react! Now you are more powerful. There is no telling what will happen in a decade or two. Wakey wakey Europe!!!!!!!!

By using the name Monty Python you are implying that what they are saying is a big joke. You believe me that every word they say is serious, every intention is deadly serious, take it from one who knows, knows really well. No joke in Islam, the joke is all the rest of us who refuse to believe them.

ISLAM means:Peace. read this and see how peaceful muslims have been over the past centuries: http://www.frontline.org.za/news/end_of_islam.htm The truth always hurts.The sooner the muslims starts accepting the reality of change,civilization and harmony,the better for them.Violence only lasts a short time,but peace,truth lasts forever. I dont see why the muslims must hold everybody to ransom for trifles and things that are true.Is there no freedom of speech again? Cant the pope express his opinion or even quote a statement made over 600years ago by an enlightened emperor. I think muslim must be controlled now before its too late.

I think we should mark the day that muslims don't protest as a international holiday, we can call it a holy day, something like "holy sh!t day", More lovely gestures from our muslim friends worldwide. There hypocrisy is very blatant. There anger also seems to be misplaced and misdirected. I don't think an apology was necessary, muslims remind me of my wife during pms. I wonder when they will say that George Bush and Israel put the pope up to it. Crusader to the end.

the sword and they died by the sword In the name of Islam.Today they live by the gun and the die by the gun.In the name of Islam.The Christian world in the near future,will have to face reality.That there is a threat on Christianity,and war with the Muslim world is inevitable.The Pope is correct.

I sit enjoying a rum and coke and read again about these lunatics. To say the pope pushed the wrong buttons is putting it mildly......guess he didn't know what complete nutters these people are. Wisen up pope, realise this...they can say what they want, no one else can, but old emanuel the 2nd got it right all those years ago. Prepare now to see more pope efigies and vatican flags burnt, thats their childish way of doing things, well keeps the flag makers in business lol. Sorry i have to try and see humour in all this, but bringing it down to brass tacts, its a very dangerous situation and they have to know once and for all...THEY WILL NOT RULE THIS WORLD!!!!!

It's not extremists who are killing, rampaging, burning and looting - it's mainstream Muslims. WAKE UP!

i am pissed off the moslems they want the pope and every body to say sorry about anything but that monkey from iran say horrible thing about the jews and that its ok for them i will vote le pen in the french election soon

http://www.theprophecies.com/noteIslam.htm

Excuse me is this the line for the head tax? or the be killed by the sword line? Convert to Islam!! I just converted my garage! This is non-alcohol beer cleric, thank you very much. Understand its my first day; Is there a head tax or beheading for not converting to Islam? School kids in Kashmir; There's no school!

By the Year 2100, the WHOLE World will be praying 5 times a day, thanks to your Liberals, who declare thier freedoms and values for us, while we infiltrate your societies and produce a high birth rate use and your democratic prinipales against you. It's so funny that it is that easy. Islam will prevail, and those who do not, will meet the fate Allah grants them. May peace be upon you.

Muslims are definitely upsetting my digestive system! Do you know any good remedy?

Evil neo nazi protestants? Who are you talking about? Can it be you that you are in fact a muslim, not a catholic? In that case, I get it. Funny stuff.

I saw a sign by a Muslim group in London today which read "Jesus is the Messenger of Islam". Another lie. The Quran and Islam have hijacked the prophets of the Old Testament and Jesus Christ remaking them into something they are not. Jesus of the Bible is NOT the Jesus (Isa) of the Quran. All you have to do is read the Bible and the Quran to quickly realize that. Jesus said there would be false Christs and the Quran tells, writes, and speaks of one. Jesus of the Bible was crucified and was resurrected by His Father. The Quran lies and says Jesus was not crucified and resurrected. Just one example of the many lies in the Quran. The True Jesus of the Bible does have a message to Muslims and that is repent and believe for I am the Son of God who rose from the dead and am with the Father. You must be born again! But unlike the false Isa (Jesus) of the Quran, He will not force you to believe! By the way NO ONE killed Jesus for Jesus freely gave His life for all who will repent and believe. Muslims who reject the true Jesus Christ of the Bible will face judgment and condemnation one day. That is a fact.

Jesus will return and overthrow Islam before that happens; albeit the plan of Muslims to do as you detailed is a great plan but for one problem and that is that the Son of God Jesus Christ and the Bible clearly states that the outcome is ALREADY decided. That outcome does NOT favor Islam. All knees shall bow to the Lord Jesus Christ. No knee in heaven shall bow to Mohammad who is in hell this very moment. Muhammad was wrong, but that does not mean you have to be wrong as well. Jesus Christ gives you the choice to choose life or death. I suggest you choose life...choose Jesus Christ who died for your sins if you will just repent and believe.