ON AIR: The Pope - Reaction to the reaction...
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The bandwagon of criticism grew bigger today. Everyone from Chechen rebels to British Muslim clerics have condemned the Pope's speech in which he appeared to express negative views of Islam.
This weekend, churches in the West Bank and Gaza were firebombed- the worst such attacks in recent memory..
The shooting of an Italian Catholic nun in Somalia might also be linked to the reaction against the Pope, though the Somali Islamic Courts Union denounced the killing.
And there have been many protests, and much verbal condemnation.
How do you see the reaction of the past few days? As justified grievance? What do the reactions say about Islam and Muslims? Should some Muslims learn to accept criticism of their religion... and even join in?
Ramatoulaye in DetroitPope's use of the quote was unwise and counterproductive but by reacting with violence the Muslim community loses all credibility.
(Incidentally I would hope to hear an acknowledgement by Catholics that the Pope's remarks were a gross mistake.)
Chris from Montreal.
Every time Muslims are accused of being violent, or intolerant, they react by being violent. Who listens to the Pope anyway?
Nayan, Ottawa, Canada
Apologies or outrage does not erase history. Must we pretend and disown facts do not exist? Could we have an explanation of what use is the divine gift of mind if reason is to be abandoned?
Emily in Kuwait
The question is not whether a religion can be criticized; it is how we criticize other religions. While logical and intelligent critiques of other religions should be accepted by people of all faiths, in this particular case Muslims have every right to be angry about the content of the Pope's comments.
Leo
Freedom of expression is a universal right and not to bully anybody who contradict one's belief. Let's all be sensible & tolerant.
Kathryn in Atlanta
Fundamentalists are like belligerent and spoilt kids. They think that their creed allows any aborhant behavior but not for the "infidels".
We were joined by Yasmin Alibhai Brown (writer and broadcaster in the UK) who asked Faroukh (Egyptian MP of Muslim Brotherhood) why Muslims are not protesting strongly about the Muslims dying in Darfur. He feels that they do indeed protest.
Peter Risdon is in our Cambridge studio - he organised a rally in support of freedom of expression in London's Trafalgar Square earlier this year. He spoke to Hassan, a caller from Newcastle in the UK, who believes that Muslim community is on a knife edge, and freedom of speech should be responsibly used - not simply to offend someone's deeply held beliefs.
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