What? Did Someone Make a Caricature of Him too?

Cardinal Francis Arinze, a Nigerian who was considered a candidate for pope last year, made his strong comments in a documentary called "The Da Vinci Code-A Masterful Deception."

Arinze's appeal came some 10 days after another Vatican cardinal called for a boycott of the film. Both cardinals asserted that other religions would never stand for offences against their beliefs and that Christians should get tough.

"Christians must not just sit back and say it is enough for us to forgive and to forget," Arinze said in the documentary made by Rome film maker Mario Biasetti for Rome Reports, a Catholic film agency specializing in religious affairs.

"Sometimes it is our duty to do something practical. So it is not I who will tell all Christians what to do but some know legal means which can be taken in order to get the other person to respect the rights of others," Arinze said.

"This is one of the fundamental human rights: that we should be respected, our religious beliefs respected, and our founder Jesus Christ respected," he said, without elaborating on what legal means he had in mind.

- Cardinal urges legal action against Da Vinci Code By Philip Pullella

For some reason the way this cardinal reacted to the Da Vinci Code reminds me of a bunch of Muslim's after those Muhammad caricatures were published. I absolutely love how he professes that it is a fundamental human right not to have one's Christian beliefs questioned. The only fundamental right that remotely comes close to what he professes is in the first amendment and that only allows for the free exercise of religion. There is nothing in the first amendment that says one has to respect another religion only that the believers of it are allowed to worship. For instance, suppose there is a mosque of Muslims who believe the people murdered in the WTO got what they deserved because they were infidels. Am I going to respect their beliefs? Hell no. Do I believe they still have the right to worship Allah since they as of yet haven't gone out and martyred anyone? Yes they may worship Him as they see fit. The most idiotic statement this cardinal makes is that Christians shouldn't forgive and forget. If I remember correctly there is a whole lot of advice in the Bible professing forgiveness. I think the cardinal needs to read through it again before he opens his mouth and makes himself look foolish a second time.

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Iran, Nukes, and Hamas

Much of what I read in the news these days centers around Iran and their uranium enrichment program. I have a hard time understanding why Americans should be very concerned about it. Iran insists that it is developing the process for the purpose of cheap abundant energy and not for nuclear weapons. As they have stated before they do have a right to do such a thing. The U.S. telling them not to is arrogant and violates the fact that Iran is a sovereign nation. If for some reason Iran chooses to develop nuclear weapons even though they claim they will not then the U.S. has perfectly good reason to take decisive action. Rather than being arrogant and insulting it would be a much better policy to state that if Iran ever does develop nuclear weapons that those weapons and the facilities for making them will be destroyed in airstrikes. Add to this economic sanctions and everything should work out fine. If for some insanely foolish reason Iran should choose to use a nuclear weapon the U.S. should make it very clear that Iran will be annihilated from the face of the planet by our nuclear weapons. There is no need to take any action now when the U.S. can dictate the necessary consequences for such dangerous behavior in the future.

On another topic, Hamas still refuses to recognize that Israel has a right to exist. This isn't really surprising but I would have hoped that they'd care about their people who will likely end up starving without Western aid. One really has to wonder why Israel and the West fund people who enjoy blowing themselves up in the streets to murder others. I suppose I can't hope that the Palestinians will realize that the aid is long standing proof that the west is actually nicer to them than they think. Is it really too much to ask that they stop the murdering in return?

The Foolish Cleric

"This is not violence, this is the right of every Muslim to fight for the prophet," said Ali Allameh, a bearded cleric whose hair was tied back with a bandanna. "Those who insult the prophet are not people, are not human beings. They're pigs and chimpanzees. Even pigs are better than these people."- From: Beirut Rioters Attack Church By Megan K. Stack, Times Staff Writer

Notice the absurd and utterly vile nature of this man's words. He and those like him are the reason the cartoons depicting Muhammad were printed in the first place. For a cleric he lacks wisdom. Even animals strike back when they are attacked.

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Unreasonable Gunmen

I think it is unusual that I have to write an update to a post so soon but for the sake of keeping up to date and furthering my points I will do so. In another bout of complete lack of reason, masked gunmen surrounded the European Union offices in Gaza on today. This is in reaction to a French newspaper publishing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to remain in solidarity with the Denmark newspaper, which published a selection of cartoons earlier this week. I have to say that it is completely absurd to involve something that represents the entirety of Europe in a threatening demonstration when only two newspapers are involved in the offensive behavior. What could possibly be going through their minds that lead them to believe all of Europe is behind the publication of two newspapers? That question isn't really relevant anymore since because of this demonstration of force they've caused even more European newspapers to publish the cartoons that were offending them. I have often wondered what leads people to such senseless courses of action. Fortunately, I think I've got my answer.

"We are angry — very, very, very angry," said the legislator, Jamila al-Shanty. "No one can say a bad word about our prophet."- From Temperatures Rise Over Cartoons Mocking Muhammad By CRAIG S. SMITH and IAN FISHER

This seems to be a philosophy that would lead to many conflicts since the majority of the people on Earth do not follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. Since they do not follow his teachings it is logical to assume they do not hold him in any great esteem. Therefore, they have valid reason for saying less than flattering words about him, if they say anything at all. Waving guns around at those who do not believe the way you do is a very poor way of convincing others that they should follow your beliefs. It is more likely to make them angry and do the same to you, in turn. This is another reason the Muslim world is submerged in illogical thought. Maybe if Muslims or at least their leaders were more reasonable people and did not anger so easily there would be less negative cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.

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Danish Fleas and Arabian Sledgehammers

It seems to be almost an understatement to say that much of the Arab/Islamic world is illogical. Recently, a Danish newspaper ran cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed. Some of them in a less than good light. This has led to some very illogical and disgusting behavior by many Arabs.

"The backlash led to street protests, threats to Scandinavians in the Palestinian territories and a boycott of Danish goods, including Lego."- Danes face fury over cartoons of Prophet
By David Rennie in Brussels Source

Sending death threats to the cartoonists and even people who have nothing to do with these offensive cartoons is like hitting a flea with a sledgehammer. It seems like this is a standard reaction by Arabs to many similar events. Whenever a film comes out that is in opposition to their ideology they send death threats to the producers. If the Arab world acted logically they would have just demanded an apology from the newspaper, which published the cartoons. This is what a European country would have done. What I find even more amazing is the lack of conceptualization of the idea that these cartoons were created and published by an independent news agency. It seems like Arabs think that one newspaper printing insulting cartoons is the equivalent of an entire country doing so and treat both the same when they are not the same at all. I suppose that I can't blame Arabs for being ignorant of the idea of free press. I just hope a few read this and spread the idea that one newspaper does not equal an entire country. The most important thing I wish the Arab world would learn is that if someone picks a fight with you in words then you should end it with words not sledgehammers.

We'll Trade You Pat Robertson for the Journalist

Well, it's been a long time since I've posted. I'm sorry if anyone was reading and was disappointed that I haven't continued. I had all of my wisdom teeth extracted and didn't feel like writing. So I'm kicking off the New Year a little late with another post on Pat Robertson.

In his statements on the 700 Club, Pat Robertson alludes to Ariel Sharon's stroke as being "divine punishment" from God for splitting up the holy land.

“The prophet Joel clearly says that there is enmity for those who –and I quote: “divide my country”. God feels this is His land. Read the Bible, where he says : “It is my land”. And regarding any Israeli Prime Minister who decides to divide it and give it away, God says : “No. It is mine”. Ariel Sharon was a very nice man, a person whose company was wonderful…I prayed with him in private. And now he is about to die. He was dividing God’s land and I would say: poor any Prime Minister who takes the same path to relieve the European Union, the United Nations and the United States of America. God said: “This land belongs to me. Leave it alone!”-The 700 Club, Pat Robertson.

I restate what I've said before, is there no better way to use network airtime than allow Pat on to damage foreign relations?

On another note, Jill Carroll, a 28 year-old freelance reporter for the Christian Science Monitor was captured by an Islamic terrorist group who threatens to execute her if the U.S. does not release all Iraqi female prisoners. Hopefully, an American Muslim advocacy group traveling to Iraq can secure her release. We wish them the best of luck.