Everyone is Innocent, Everyone is Guilty

The Pope is now receiving death-threats, and perversely, the disturbing elements of his now-infamous speech are being proven right.

I’ve never been keen on the Papacy myself, viewing it as an outmoded institution that promotes sexism and has nurtured Mel Gibson’s deterioration from stud to sociopath, among other things. But the arson and threats essentially boil down to a “kill those who say Islam is violent” conundrum. Haven’t these people heard of irony?

Progressive journalists have pointed to the fact that millions of Muslims currently feel embattled, and that this latest knee-jerk reaction did not arise in a vacuum. I agree with that. I also, however, believe that everyone ought to be held responsible for their actions, including the Pope, and the severely marginalized folks. Burning churches and making threats is not the answer. People are perfectly capable of making their own decisions, and this kind of group-think is no better than the rah-rah “patriotism” of Ann Coulter.

These things do happen for a reason though, and I think that trying to understand what’s going on should not be equated with making excuses.

I am willing to bet that the demonstrations and the protests are being financed by people who trade in the “Islam vs. West” dichotomy. Who knows? Perhaps the Pope is on their bankroll as well, though the Vatican seems pretty well off as it is. The exploitation of war and fear is a powerful thing. The media makes it all the more easier.

While fingers are being pointed, I take refuge in the work of Dostoevsky. An interesting idea from The Brothers Karamazov has stayed with me now for several years: What if everyone is guilty? What if we are all in the same boat spiritually, and we owe it to each other to embrace and apologize for all wrongs? Dostoevsky wanted to apply this to the Christians. I want to apply it to the whole human race.

Who’s with me?