In the difficult task of trying to figure out which religion on this planet is the worst, this current kerfluffle over Pope Ratfinger saying that Islam is bad because its followers try to spread their religion by the sword has created a dilemma for me.

In fact, the response has been just so stupid, I'm finding myself about to become a defender of da Popa. Just last week the guy was saying that Darwinism led to a secular view of the world that removed all meaning from life (and this was evil), and that we'll never understand and get along with Islamic fundamentalist terrorists until we act more irrational and religious (the West is "overly secular" in his opinion). I just roll my eyes and say, "well that's da Popa for ya." But hey, I can take criticism of my secular, meaningless existence, rampant Darwinism, and inability to incorporate irrationality for the sake of understanding the terrorists. I'm a pretty calm guy I guess and I don't really feel like my secular, meaningless existence really needs defending. But these crazy bastards in the Muslim world need to learn to let things slide off their shoulders a little better. Maybe they should take a page from the book of the meaningless secular types.

So here's the breakdown. Da Popa says something sure to incite Muslim wrath.

The Pope on Tuesday repeated criticism of the Prophet Mohammad by the 14th century Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaeologus, who said everything Mohammad brought was evil "such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".

The Pope, who used the terms "jihad" and "holy war" in his lecture, added "violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul".

The Muslims, clearly incapable of dealing with criticism of their religion despite constantly referring to Jews as some kind of illuminati bent on world destruction and Nazi-like destruction of Muslims, then overreact like crazy. Da Popa then offers a kind-of "I'm sorry you were offended" non-apology. But sadly, that was not enough to prevent Muslims from going from 0 to crazy in under 5 seconds.

A top official of the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's largest Islamic political group, suggested the pope's apology was not enough. Mohamed Habib, deputy to leader Mohammed Mahdi Akef, called Benedict's comments Sunday "a step in the right direction." Habib added, "However, it does not represent a clear and explicit apology."

Egypt and Morocco recalled their ambassadors to the Holy See on Saturday.

Violence also erupted during the weekend. An Italian nun and her bodyguard were shot to death Sunday at a hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia. Yusuf Mohamed Siad, head of security for the Islamic militia that controls the capital, said the attack may have been tied to the pope's remarks.

Hundreds of people rallied in major cities across Iran. Ahmad Khatami, Friday prayer leader in Tehran and a member of the panel that has the power to choose or dismiss Iran's top leader, compared the pope to President Bush, saying the two had "united to repeat the Crusades."

Seven churches in the West Bank and Gaza were attacked Saturday and Sunday in response to the pope's comments.

Now comes what appears to be confirmation that the worst possible interpretation of da Popa's words are true.

Al-Qaeda threatens jihad over Pope's remarks

An Iraqi militant group led by al-Qaeda has threatened to massacre Christians in response to remarks about Islam by Pope Benedict XVI that have caused offence across the Muslim world.

...

Today an internet statement by the Mujahideen Shura Council, an umbrella group led by Iraq’s branch of al Qaeda, threatened reprisals against "worshippers of the cross" for the Pope's remarks.

"We shall break the cross and spill the wine. ... (you will have no choice but) Islam or death," said the statement, citing a hadith (saying of the Prophet Mohammed) promising Muslims that they would "conquer Rome... as they conquered Constantinople".

"We tell the worshipper of the cross (the Pope) that you and the West will be defeated, as is the case in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya. God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants the bounty of the Mujahideen."

Well now. We've come full circle now haven't we? Da Popa says something stupid but true, and the Muslim response? They prove he was right within about a week and quote Mohammed to do it no less.

Ratfinger was crazy for thinking that this was some great way of "starting a dialogue" and I kind of doubt that was his real intention. But as far as apologies go, I think he should screw the apology and restate what he said, then just quote these assholes who are calling for jihad, and list the firebombings and shooting of nuns in response to words, not deeds, against Islam.

Between this shit, the newspaper cartoon fiasco, and the assassination of Theo Van Gogh I think we should say enough already. In a civilized world you have to be able to take criticism of your ideology without fucking shooting people. Da Popa is right goddamnit and they are only proving him more right every single time there is a response like this to criticism of their religion. Never thought I'd agree with da Popa on anything, but here we are. I would like to say though, in response to his criticism of secularism, that there aren't many examples of Swedes and and Dutch going crazy and burning down churches when someone says they're too secular or that Darwin is bad. So, maybe his call for more irrationality is a bit silly in light of this week's events. But, back to my point.

No religion should have the right to kill, terrorize, intimidate, or censor the citizens of any nation over speech that is critical of them. We need to put our foot down, and just flood the airways with anti-Islamic crap if that's what it takes to show that we won't be intimidated by their bullying. No more apologies, no more backing down, no more censorship should be tolerated. They have to behave like adults in a civilized world, or they're going to get criticized for being the violent, intolerant bullies and creeps that they are.

It's infuriating! They're making me defend da Popa! What a bunch of assholes.