Shame or Shameless?

The Canadian National Post has an editorial by a Father Raymond J. de Souza titled Rioters' Madness Shames Muslim World. It is a lengthy piece that addresses the reaction to the Pope's speech. The portion I address is the notion that many in the Muslim world are shamed by the reactions. The title clearly reflects this, but another section also highlights it:

In response to this historical excursus in an academic lecture by one of the world's most erudite theologians, we are witnessing a wave of madness and malice, no doubt an embarrassment to millions of Muslims.

When I read that, my first thought was that I have yet to see or hear any sign of embarrassment by the Muslim world over any of the outrageous behavior we have seen in recent decades. If such shame exists, I am not aware of it through any media source including those associated with Muslim countries.

I have read the Pope's speech and come to the conclusion that those offended by the contents must be somewhat low in intelligence and unable to grasp such concepts as context and quoting. It was a matter of reacting first and thinking later; though I am not sure they have come to the thinking part yet. Though I don't see it, even if the Pope's words were offensive; the Islamic world needs to come to grips with the concept of freedom of speech.

Michelle Malkin has quite a rundown on the reactions. There are a number of threats and destructive behavior:

• The Anglican church in Gaza was firebombed
• A group threatens to kill all Christians in Iraq if the Pope does not apologize in 3 days
• A fatwa is issued to kill anyone on the spot who offend Mohammed
• A threat of property destruction at the Vatican
• Threats by the Taliban for the Pope to apologize
• And more

I wish it were true that many in the Islamic world are embarrassed by these actions. I just don't see any sign that it is true. If there is shame, those who feel it have been cowered into silence by the radical elements and their followers. Hopefully more moderate elements will rise and gain followers who will find the courage to speak out against these actions.