Don't call them violent...they might hurt you...

Many Western leaders hope 'moderate Muslims' will confront the extremists who wage jihad in the name of their religion. So far, the silence has been deafening. Maybe this is why it hasn't panned out:

"There is no such thing as a moderate Muslim," (former Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) said. "We are fundamentalists in Malaysia. We follow the true teachings of the religion and the true teachings do not teach us to bomb and kill people without reason." (emphasis added)

Now, what might some of those reasons be?

- Drawing cartoons of Mohammed
- Making a movie about violence against Muslim women
- Writing a book that offends the religious hierarchy

...and now, to provide the latest grist for the weekly two hour hate Friday prayers, reaction to comments by the Pope.

"The pope clearly took a stand in favour of dialogue, which I personally support and consider necessary and urgent, " (said German Chancellor Angela Merkel). "What Benedict XVI was expressing was his absolute rejection without compromise of any use of violence in the name of religion."

Most Muslims did not see things the same way.

In Gaza City, four small home-made bombs exploded near the oldest Christian church, although there were no casualties, and Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniya slammed the pope's comments saying: "These remarks go against the truth and touch the heart of our faith."

I can understand someone being offended when their faith is criticized or mocked. It happens to Christians as well. The difference is this: when someone puts a crucifix in a jar of urine, or makes a fictitious movie blaspheming Christ, Christians loudly complain. Criticize Mohammed, however, and you're lucky if the violence remains symbolic. After all, as they see it,

"Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence," Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.

If people of any other faith acted like this, the world would rightfully demand they be called to account, and "grow up" would be the nicest way the criticism would be couched. So is the fact Muslims are given a pass to act this way simply a soft bigotry of low expectations?

UPDATE: at least one cleric is now urging Muslims to "hunt down and kill" the Pope. But don't say Islam is a violent religion...

UPDATE #2: Those listening to the cleric apparently couldn't reach the Pope from Somalia... so they appear to have gunned down a 70-year old nun instead.