"True peace and love"

Some people say there is no difference between Islam and Christianity because both have violent histories.

But I say there is a huge amount of difference. Yes, the Catholic Church has, at some few times in our history, resorted to violence, such as fighting the Crusades to take back the Holy Land, but anyone who argues that Christians are out perpetrating the sort of violence Muslims do these days is crazy.

Here is the text of the prayer that Pope Benedict XVI will read at Ground Zero on 20 April:

"O God of love, compassion, and healing, look on us, people of many different faiths and traditions, who gather today at this site, the scene of incredible violence and pain.

"We ask you in your goodness to give eternal light and peace to all who died here -- the heroic first-responders: our fire fighters, police officers, emergency service workers, and Port Authority personnel, along with all the innocent men and women who were victims of this tragedy simply because their work or service brought them here on September 11, 2001.

"We ask you, in your compassion to bring healing to those who, because of their presence here that day, suffer from injuries and illness.

"Heal, too, the pain of still-grieving families and all who lost loved ones in this tragedy. Give them strength to continue their lives with courage and hope. We are mindful as well of those who suffered death, injury, and loss on the same day at the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

"Our hearts are one with theirs as our prayer embraces their pain and suffering. God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the earth.

"Turn to your way of love those whose hearts and minds are consumed with hatred. God of understanding, overwhelmed by the magnitude of this tragedy, we seek your light and guidance as we confront such terrible events.

"Grant that those whose lives were spared may live so that the lives lost here may not have been lost in vain. Comfort and console us, strengthen us in hope, and give us the wisdom and courage to work tirelessly for a world where true peace and love reign among nations and in the hearts of all."

Beautiful, isn't it? And do notice that the Pope prays for the redemption of those who committed these terrible acts. He does not condemn them to Hell. He does not call them names. He does not advocate the burning of their buildings.

This is in stark contrast to the behavior of Muslims the world over when someone so much as draws and publishes an editorial cartoon with the ever precious Mohammed in it. The Muslim leaders pray and preach murder and violence.

Remind me which is a violent religion? If you can't tell, then you must be very stupid, indeed.