The Pope, The Debate Still Rages, Will Violence Prevail? (by BigBadJohnny)

The debate over the Pope's remarks last week is still raging.
In a speech last week, the pontiff cited a Medieval text that characterized some of the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad as "evil and inhuman," particularly "his command to spread by the sword the faith."
Iraq's parliament rejected Benedict's explanation of his remarks, saying it was insufficiently clear.

There may be some truth to this issue of "lack of clarity".
Why was the Pope reading remarks that "didn't reflect his personal feelings"?
Why would Benedict be so irresponsible as to read remarks that could cause such disorder?
We were told that Pope Benedict XVI was an interim pope, filling the void between John Paul, and whoever the next election of the College Of Cardinals might be. Is this precedented? Will Benedict, Joesph Cardinal Ratzinger, not remain in authority until his eventual death?
Does all this indicate that at the time of John Paul's death, there was no suitable candidate among the cardinals to replace him?
Pope Benedict XVI's words have ignited fires that may be inextinguishable.

"CAIRO, Egypt -- Al-Qaida in Iraq warned Pope Benedict XVI on Monday that its war against Christianity and the West will go on until Islam takes over the world, and Iran's supreme leader called for more protests over the pontiff's remarks on Islam."

Al-Qaida in Iraq and its allies said Muslims would be victorious calling the pope "the worshipper of the cross," saying "you and the West are doomed as you can see from the defeat in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya and elsewhere. ... We will break up the cross, spill the liquor and impose the 'jizya' tax, then the only thing acceptable is a conversion (to Islam) or (being killed by) the sword."
"You infidels and despots, we will continue our jihad (holy war) and never stop until God avails us to chop your necks and raise the fluttering banner of monotheism, when God's rule is established governing all people and nations".

As some regular readers of my meandering know, I have questioned the worth of organized religion in the modern world. It may do more harm then good.

.I've said before, and I'll say again, there's a heck of a lot of damage done to this world by organized religion. From the awful situation in Ireland, ranging from years and years ago, to the unpleasantness (understatement) in Denmark, and Africa, over the depictions of Mohammad. If people are going to kill, and burn, and riot, over a perceived insult to Mohammad, may he be blessed, then what is the point?
I am a Deist. That simply means I believe in God. I really do; it's strange. He's done a lot for me, much of which I don't deserve (which suggests that most persons idea of 'HE JUDGES IF YOU ARE GOOD OR BAD' might be slightly off the mark.)
Al the other stuff, Moses, Abraham, Angels, Heaven, Hell... I see no evidence, I have no particular reason to believe.
Although if most of the billions of people on the planet believe pretty much the same thing, then hey, what do I know?

My prodding and poking extends to all modern religions.

I'm wondering, then if religions evolve over time. Perhaps, "devolve" would be a better word. Maybe many of the worlds religions start in infancy as beautiful, wonderful, and good; serving God and man according to high minded rules, rules such as these from The Christian Bible, Book of Mathew:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
Then, perhaps in isolated areas, remote regions of America, or The Arab world, spurred by human imperfection, or lust, or greed, these good religions lose some of their goodness.
Religion induced guilt swings the pendulum to delusions of vast superiority, which necessitates actions to sustain the new superiority.
In some areas, immorality may replace moral behavior. Pride, Greed, Extravagance (later Lust), Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Sloth, all may develop. Incest may rise it's cruel, destructive head.

To conclude, here is something of a more positive nature which I penned not long ago:

"What Is Heaven Like ? Ask a little baby, a prebirth infant, "what is life like?". He is still in the womb, never having seen a moment of light. Ask him about life? Ask us about Heaven! "