If you can't stand the missionary heat, you should get out of Abraham's spiritual kitchen

In an environment as free as Australia, a humble layman like myself can expose the relative ignorance of a cardinal. I could do this using intellect and logic, far more powerful tools than defensiveness or threats of violence.

Muslims offended by the Pope's comments about Islam and history are better off addressing these arguments than condemning the Pope. If Muslims become defensive or even hint at violence, they will be personifying (and thus confirming) the Pope's claims.

It's only to be expected that the leader of a missionary faith will criticise other missionary faiths. Just as we expect Kim Beazley to criticise John Howard.

Thankfully, clerics tend to be more polite than politicians. But criticism is part of the Abrahamic tradition. If you can't stand the missionary heat, you should think about getting out of Abraham's spiritual kitchen.