Pope Benedict's Speech

In response to the overwhleming lack of a groundswell of people wanting my opinion on this matter, I will wade in as the noteable So-and-So who enters where angels fear to tread. First, since Emperor Manuel Paleologus was fighting against Muslim armies - in the speech text it says between 1394 and 1402 common era so it would appear that he was leading the fight against not Arab Muslims, rather Turkish Muslims - it is hard to see why anyone would expect him to say nice things about Islam. So why was he used? And since he was used, why does anyone object to it? For the greater the rancor expressed in such a situation implies the greater force of one's opponent. Second, the speech deals with God, man, and reason and the differences within western tradition over time and some differences between western and Islamic traditions. Something like: God is transcendent (and wholly beyond our comprehension) AND Jesus became incarnate to link man to God (so that God need not be totally beyond our comprehension) AND God as Logos is susceptible of being understood by human reason (and is not absolutely transcendent beyond reason) {Pope's characterization of western tradition} VERSUS God is absolutely transcendent {Islamic tradition} So - if you have stuck with it thus far - you ask why the violence? Within the speech we hear the emperor say: "Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul." Now to whom does this apply? Certainly not us, not our generations. Who would do well to learn this lesson? Not us. We're perfect. Finally, Iran's Supreme Leader says the speech was a crusade against Muslims. So he's saying that Christians are leading a jihad against Muslims???? So the Pope mentions something from 1,000 years ago about jihad... And Iran's Leader counters with a riposte from 1,000 years ago about a crusade... I guess this means I can go out and protest, since I believe a 1,000 year old slur against me is just as grievous as a 1,000 year old slur against you!! I have no answers for you about the speech. I think we are condemned to attend the picnic on the great carpet of violence spread out upon the face of the world by leaders of both sides who cannot lead. I do not side with the Pope nor oppose him. I respect him greatly. There are many religious leaders I respect. Make of it what you will.