Quds Day Lacks Reason

Today, in areas of the Middle East, thousands came out to march for the destruction of Israel. In Iran, thousands marched while displaying anti-Israeli signs, chanting "death to Israel," while burning Israeli and American flags. In Pakistan, adults and children brandished their AK-47s, while conveying the same violent message. In Jerusalem, because of the historic violent nature of this day, police forces were 3,000 strong, while patrolling the area where about 13,000 Muslim prayed at the Temple Mount. The occasion: Quds Day, or the Iranian-made holiday during Ramadan where Muslims call for Jerusalem and Israel to be handed over to the Palestinians.

Some time ago, in a speech at the University of Regsensburg Pope Benedict XVI stated that "violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul," and "not to act in accordance with reason is contrary to God's nature." This statement should make one think about about the violence-promoting demonstrations on Quds Day. Obviously, when police forces are necessary to monitor religious ceremonies, due to safety concerns, that religion is not acting with reason. When children are indoctrinated to wave automatic weapons in the air while chanting violent messages, that faith is not acting with reason. Ironically, this statement made by the Pope, caused violent riots and violent demonstrations to occur, only proving the point.