Citing a medieval text that described the Islam prophet Mohammed as "evil and inhuman," Pope Benedict XVI has provoked a wave of protest and violence across the Muslim world. Whether it was a translation misunderstanding or the true intention of Benedict XVI, the Pope needs to realize that with power comes responsibility. With each speech his words speak to millions, and each mistake he speaks to billions.
Officials of the church and the Pope himself publicly expressed regret that the Muslim population took his words the wrong way. They stated that the quote was meant to underscore the flawed notion of holy war, which he believes is the antithesis of modern day religion and a relic of the past. Although the Pope tried to clarify his meaning, the majority of the Muslim world has called his statement a meaningless apology, and wants him to go as far as to take back his statement. The Roman Catholic Church has shown no intention in withdrawing his statement, and despite the compunction felt the Muslim community still wants him to make a clear, undeniable apology.
The Catholic Church is obligated to clarify, but they don't need to withdraw a statement that was not meant as a swipe at Islam. Both Catholicism and Islam had barbarous moments in their pasts, but referring to the past in a speech does not mean that it is characteristic of the religion now.
In the long run, this particular tiff will most likely be pushed to the side. Something, however, must be learned from this situation. The Pope needs to realize that he is in a changed world, not like the one of John Paul II; a world that faces more extreme terrorism, a world of intensified religious hostility and a world where words must be chosen even more carefully.
What's been missed?
Newsworthy issues that were overshadowed by the Dalai Lama this week.
Talk like a pirate day
Chances are President Simpson did not greet His Holiness with "Ahoy, me hearty," which means that the 11-year-old holiday of 'Talk like a pirate day' was not observed during the Dalai Lama's visit. Avast, UB students truly missed out on the booty of talk like a pirate day, ye bilge rats.
An even more ticklish Elmo
Elmo has laughed, done the limbo, hokey-pokeyed and flapped his chicken wings, but the guys down at Mattel released the newest fuzzy companion on Tuesday, complete with seizure-like arm flailing and hysterical floor convulsions. From now on parents, when your kid needs to be punished, put him/her in the same room alone with this Linda Blair-like toy.
"Rome will burn?"
As a result of Pope Benedict XVI's controversial remark at a German university, Muslims around the globe were enraged, including the infamous Al-Qaida organization. They promptly sent a message to the Vatican threatening to 'destroy the cross' and burn Rome and the rest of the Western world down to the ground.
J.P. scores a touchdown
Although he only passed for a total of 83 yards and he had near-interceptions that went through the hands of the Miami secondary, J.P. Losman managed the team to a convincing win, and even threw his first touchdown pass of the season.
Brad Pitt's possible mission
Hollywood stud Brad Pitt is slotted to take over Tom Cruise's role in the next "Mission Impossible" film. Due to conflicting views over film direction and Tom's questionable personal life, Cruise and studio bosses have decided to part ways. Apparently Oprah sofa dances, Katie Holmes fiascos and Scientology have made Cruise more of a liability than a money-making blockbuster star.
Photo: Breadchastick / Wikimedia Commons
