Useful Idiots: The Aftermath of the Pope's Lecture Refering to Comments on Islam

The world has shrunk since September 11th, 2001. No, not because of greenhouse gasses, Enron, or even George W. Bush. The world has not “actually” gotten smaller, but it seems that way. We are much more aware of problems that seemed so distant and unrelated to us before 2001. This is the world in which we now live, and must learn to survive in. I must caveat this article with the fact that I write this with charity, love, and a true attempt to write truth (so far as the Holy Spirit will guide me) about very touchy issues. I am going to comment on the “aftermath” of the Pope’s comments in early September; no coincidence that this all happened around the anniversary of the attacks.
Most of what I have read on this subject seems to have an underbelly of fear, appeasement, and misinformation so familiar with today’s media. It seems that most of the commentaries I read actually agreed with the Muslims or in some way showed an unreasonable amount of sympathy. Yes, the same militant Muslims that threw fire bombs into churches, murdered an Italian nun, and yes, those same people that plotted to blow up the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and who knows where else. These same “civil and peace loving” people who bellowed with anger and rage in attacks against non-Muslims when a “rag” published a story alleging that the American military was flushing the Quran down toilets (which is actually not possible to do…you try it at home with any book…not going to happen) http://www.amilimani.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=2
These comments, of course, make be a bigot. Because of the fear that many people have about being seen as a bigot, the truth seems to be hidden somewhere, never to be seen. I tell you, I am no bigot. When I say “those people”, I do not mean it in the sense that people would refer to black people 50 years ago, or what Asian Americans heard about themselves after Pearl Harbor…or what Militant Muslims would say about any non Muslim. Only they don’t say “those people”, they say “infidel”. It seems that Islam has an inferiority complex, and the “soft” liberal media only feeds into it…like giving a Great White Shark just enough flesh to wet its appetite.
The world seems so backward in many senses. The “Hippies”, “Tree Huggers”, “Women’s Rights”, and “Civil Rights” activists seemed to always be on the wrong side of right. The same people that hem and haw at the idea of a cross on a memorial, or a Nativity Scene at Christmas Time (or should I say X-Mas), or cringe at the sound of a graduate thanking God for helping him through school, do not hesitate to support the “rights” of extremist Muslims, or in so many ways share much sympathy for them. We are not referring to “John Doe Mohammed”, who lives in Anytown USA and happens to be Muslim. We are talking about the people that live for one purpose, and one purpose only, to KILL anyone who is not Muslim…that is probably most of you reading this article…and your children…grandchildren…friends…co-workers…get the point!!!
So what does a “Birkenstock” wearing hippie have in common with militant Muslims? It seems, through the comments I have read, and the attitude of the media, that the Pope should be replaced by Osama Bin Laden (ok, maybe a little exaggeration, but I hope you get my point). Many comments have suggested that an apology that falls short of the Pope submitting to Islam will not suffice. The Pope makes comments, about comments (he did not make) made 500 years ago. These comments by a Byzantine emperor referred to SOME of the teachings of Mohammed as “evil and inhuman,” particularly “his command to spread by the sword the faith”. Because of these comments, the Muslim world seemed to go crazy. MSNBC states that an Iraqi insurgent group threatened the Vatican with a suicide attack over the comments. A website frequented by militant Muslim groups quoted the Mujahedeen Army as saying “we swear to God to send you people who adore death as much as you adore life”…it was addressed to “you dog of Rome”, and threatens to “shake your thrones and break your crosses in your home”. The Islamic world seemed to come unglued, both verbally and physically. It seems they have proven the point made by the Byzantine Emperor. Of course the “militant Islamist” will walk into a Chuck E Cheese with a vest made of dynamite, and claim himself peaceful, all the while directing shrapnel and a killing fire into the bodies of innocent children. Sounds like “pissing on my leg and telling me it’s raining”. I don’t see the Christian world burning any crescent moons over any of the Islamic reactions, nor would I would condone it. Those who try to justify attacks on the Church are simply acting as “useful idiots” for Islamic terrorists. They call them “freedom fighters”, or “Martyrs”. “Useful Idiots!” Maybe Osama will save some of the 70 virgins for “useful idiots”…don’t count on it.
Here is a link to further support what I mean by “useful idiot” in this sense:
(www.americanthinker.com/articles.php?article_id=5741).

Ironically, those fringe groups mentioned earlier (hippies, etc.) would be the first to suffer a reality change under an Islamic rule. They can also trade the Constitution for the Sharia (Islamic Law). They of course, would get to keep the Birkenstocks…but trade in the t-shirts, skirts, jeans, and baseball caps for a burka (www.alhannah.com $12.99 internet special). What about women’s rights? Yeah right!!
With all the talk about Christianity and Islam, no one has mentioned a huge difference between Christianity and Islam when it comes to ecumenism. The Catechism (842) states: “The Church’s bond with non-Christian religions is in the first place the common origin and end of the human race: All nations form but one community. This is so because all stem from the one stock which God created to people the entire earth, and also because all share a common destiny, namely God”. Muslims are specifically mentioned in Catechism 841. The Church is saying that it God’s plan is that ALL go to heaven. It seems as though the Islamic view is that all non Muslims should simply DIE and go to Hell. Please correct me if I am wrong. This does not come from a scholarly study or theological education, just simply from watching the world since September 11th. No large or impactful group of Muslims have stood up in front of the world against the barbaric actions of Islamic terrorists and nations. Instead, they brainwash their people with the following:

[Only three days after the Pope’s speech, Iraq’s Mujahidin Shura Council issued its own very Islamic response, inadvertently substantiating the Pontiff’s comment. Here is a part of what the Council posted]:"After the stupid and obeyed bearer of the cross flag, Bush, declared a few years back the start of a new crusade on Islam and its people and launched his crusade with the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the servant of the cross, the Vatican Pope, appears before us, orbiting around Bush, to continue in Bush's footsteps with his flagrant assault on Islam and its prophet, Muhammad, may God's peace and blessings be upon him, especially with his remarks on 'the duty of jihad in the name of God' -- a duty that flowed through the body of the nation and terrified crusaders the world over."The self-appointed custodian of the religion of “peace” continues with its superb logical reasoning by warning the “worshippers of the cross”: “You and the Romans are on a date with the defeat you see every day in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya, and elsewhere." The Council promises to "Break the cross, spill the wine, and enforce the al-jizyah (tax levied on non-Muslims in return for protection), leaving people with a choice between Islam and the sword." The statement vows, "For we will press forth with our jihad and will not stop until Allah enables us to cut your throats, and until the banner of monotheism is raised and Allah's law prevails over all lands and all people."

So what do we do? We either sell our souls to Osama Bin Laden, or we stand up for what’s right. This idea of standing up is rather vague. We must not give into temptations to hate. Hate is what defines our enemies. St. Therese (The Little Flower) tells us to be different than sinners. She tells us that it is easy to love our friends, even sinners love their friends. What separates the Saints and the sinners is that the Saints also love their enemies. We must be willing, however to fight if necessary. First, we must learn to read with our brains not just our eyes. We need to know the facts behind the stories we read. We must possess the ability to think “Critically”. We must also pray for peace! We cannot surrender our ideals and our love for Jesus Christ. September 11th made Martyrs out of many of the 3000 Americans who died. We may have to martyr ourselves in a sense of leaving our comfort zones. This may involve writing articles such as this, or to the editors of major papers, or on a higher level, continuing to support legislation that does not “cow tow” to political correctness. We shall continue to look to Christ as a guiding light toward right and steer clear of the darkness of evil. Remember, most importantly, that there is a difference between being “open minded” and a “useful idiot”.