Bring respect back in vogue

Muslims and Catholics alike were shocked, and rightfully so, by Pope Benedict XVI's recent speech that quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor who declared Islam's Prophet Muhammad brought "only evil things" to the world. It's not as if these two groups needed any more divisive discourse to further the schism between them. The fallout from the comments has already been swift and fatal; murders and riots have been reported in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Let me start off by saying I am an agnostic and have no loyalty to either Catholicism or Islam. In fact, I have problems with many of the tenets of both religions - hell, I have a problem with religion in general. In the words of Karl Marx, "religion is the opiate of the masses."

That being said, I respect those who do choose to practice religion. However, the pope incident reflects problems that need to be fixed on both sides.

Benedict XVI was wrong in what he said; even if he actually believes it, you'd figure you have to be quasi-intelligent to become the pope, and a quasi-intelligent person, as the world leader of 1.1 billion Catholics, would not have made such incendiary comments. I mean, c'mon - this guy is Mel Gibson with a Popemobile. He is a public relations nightmare.

Muslims have every right to be upset; they do not, however, have the right to call for the demise of all "worshippers of the cross," start fiery, fatal riots and murder nuns in cold blood.

The pope's comments do not represent the views of all Catholics, and the actions of a few extremist Muslims do not mean all Muslims approve of these disgusting acts. Therefore, Muslim leaders denouncing all Catholics and the West with violence-tinged threats is perpetuating the cycle of intolerance and hatred, as well as punishing innocent people simply for being American or Catholic. Likewise, comments by prominent Catholics and Western leaders (such as the perception a few years back of Bush's "War on Islam") even subtly degrading Islam serve no purpose but to instigate problems, negative attitudes and deaths.

Catholicism is already in a precarious position, with its declining numbers and a worldwide, ever-growing priest sex scandal. It made no sense to criticize an already-maligned, misunderstood group that does have extremists known to take such words to heart and deliver dire consequences. Certain Muslims, in their anger over the pope's comments about being "evil," go out and show the falsity of these words by pillaging, destroying and killing. Both groups are so busy pledging allegiance to their respective religions they are blind to common sense. Catholics and Muslims alike need to step up and, instead of vehemently decrying the other group's actions, stand up and admit the wrongs of their own religious leaders.

Muslims are continually trying to fight the perception they are terrorists, extremists and violent fanatics - they can do this by condemning the violence that resulted from these comments, and any future violence that occurs by extremist factions of Islam. They can defend the West, as many Muslims are happily settled here, and make the point that destroying the West is also destroying many Muslims.

Catholics are fighting negative stereotypes of their own - that their priests are all child molesters, that their religion is based on guilt and is too old-fashioned and backward for today's world, and that women are second-class citizens in the church. Catholics need to condemn their pope's words, for even if they agree with them, they should condemn the fact he made them public in a world already splintered with strife over religion.

An alliance between the two groups, and one possibly including Judaism, would be beneficial to all religious persons at the university. Interfaith alliances stretch everywhere from California to Iowa, but one at this university would be especially beneficial to both college students and surrounding communities. Much like the gay-straight alliance does with two very conflicted groups, a Christian-Muslim-Jewish alliance would allow a forum for discussion when events like this happen between three of the major religions that have been steeped in conflict with each other for thousands of years. Hopefully, this would promote an understanding of the various viewpoints and an environment in which religions could condemn their own leaders for poor actions. Some have said to me they don't feel an interest for this type of group exists on the campus; I say it's worth a shot because the only thing left to lose is more lives.

In a world where religious freedom and freedom of speech often lead to violence, intolerance and continuous retribution, it's time members of all religions take responsibility for their leaders' actions, right or wrong, and make every effort to peaceably co-exist with member of other religions.

Nikkee Porcaro is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at cole120@umd.edu.