Don Your Hijab, MoDo

The New York Times has published an editorial critical of Pope Benedict's speech, in which in the course of a discussion of complex ideas, he adverts to a Byzantine emperor's question about what Muhammad contributed other than the idea of propagating religion by force:

“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.”

The editors, presumably unbelievers of Jewish origin, instruct the Pope as follows:

A doctrinal conservative, his greatest fear appears to be the loss of a uniform Catholic identity, not exactly the best jumping-off point for tolerance or interfaith dialogue.

The world listens carefully to the words of any pope. And it is tragic and dangerous when one sows pain, either deliberately or carelessly. He needs to offer a deep and persuasive apology, demonstrating that words can also heal.

The Pope's talk was thoughtful and dense, not easy to interpret and not at all a tirade against Islam, but the usual suspects are rioting, burning, and attacking churches.

Why shouldn't the Pope defend Catholic identity? Should he be defending Zen Buddhism or the Prosperity Gospel?

And who exactly appointed these jamokes as the arbiters of what is proper religious debate? Captain Ed is his usual lucid self on the subject.

Expect further attacks on Christians in the Muslim world and on its fringes. Expect continued calls for beheading the Pope. Expect silence from these bozos on all that.

A sample of what the jihadist internet is making of all this here. Warning, it's both childish and nasty.