Conflict Watch: A War on Islam?
To what extent is the War on Terror actually the War on Islam that many in the Middle East feel?
President Bush's rhetoric in public speeches have angered many moderate Muslims who believe that Bush's use of terms like Islamofacism (referring to Islamic fundamentalists or extremists groups) unneccissarily equate the religion of Islam with terror. Since all religious groups have had their bouts with terrorism, why single out Islam?
Most mainstream moderate Muslims will argue that Islam is peaceful and Osama Bin Laden's view of Islam is distorted and well outside the mainstream much the same way Mormon's don't want to be lumped together with polygamists sects that live out on the fringe of society.
The latest uproar took place this week as Muslim leaders strongly denounced comments Pope Benedict XVI made this week about Islam, calling them ignorant and divisive.
Here's a link to the news story at the Washington Post. To read the full text of the Pope's comments, click here.
Update: The Pope has reportedly apologized for his comments amidst a sea of protests and attacks on Christian churches in the West Bank. The question is, was what he said actually an apology? And was it followed up with the other steps in reconcilliation process to make things better. The answer is probably no, which is why so many are rejecting what he said. If the Pope doesn't know how to ask for forgiveness ... who does?
President Bush's rhetoric in public speeches have angered many moderate Muslims who believe that Bush's use of terms like Islamofacism (referring to Islamic fundamentalists or extremists groups) unneccissarily equate the religion of Islam with terror. Since all religious groups have had their bouts with terrorism, why single out Islam?
Most mainstream moderate Muslims will argue that Islam is peaceful and Osama Bin Laden's view of Islam is distorted and well outside the mainstream much the same way Mormon's don't want to be lumped together with polygamists sects that live out on the fringe of society.
The latest uproar took place this week as Muslim leaders strongly denounced comments Pope Benedict XVI made this week about Islam, calling them ignorant and divisive.
Here's a link to the news story at the Washington Post. To read the full text of the Pope's comments, click here.
Update: The Pope has reportedly apologized for his comments amidst a sea of protests and attacks on Christian churches in the West Bank. The question is, was what he said actually an apology? And was it followed up with the other steps in reconcilliation process to make things better. The answer is probably no, which is why so many are rejecting what he said. If the Pope doesn't know how to ask for forgiveness ... who does?
