Call it whatever you want but there is no way he showed courage. I have lost respect for him. I'm sick over this.
You just wanna be sick over this.
The facts and the statement don't justify it.
You're wanting him to say something other than what he said in the first place. He simply gave an historical analysis of some of the problems that Islam has with the concept of reason and briefly mentioned forced "conversion" as one of the expressions of this. And he offered them a chance for dialogue - based on honesty - about it.
Saying he's sorry they're offended is not backtracking. He is sorry; he'd rather they act rationally and do some serious self-analysis and discussion. But he does not say that what he said was untrue, exaggerated or anything that he regrets. Just that he's sorry they're acting like idiots. Rabid, violent idiots, at that.
Ma'am...no disrespect but he doesn't need either your approval nor respect.....
He's got it from the over 1.2 billion Catholics on this planet plus a lot more who comprehended what he said......
Again...there was no apology.....he simply stated he was sorry if his remarks offended anyone BUT DID NOT RETRACT HIS REMARKS NOR ALTER THE VERACITY OF THEM......
"Call it whatever you want but there is no way he showed courage. I have lost respect for him. I'm sick over this."
You have mentioned not being Catholic. Perhaps you were just looking for an excuse to not respect Pope Benedict XVI. But, since perhaps you are so much more courageous than the pope, get yourself on television that will be aired all over the world and tell the Muslims what you really think about them. Oh, btw - be sure to let the Islamofascists know where you live, just like they know where Pope Benedict lives. Then, and only then, will you have convince me that you are courageous. Until then, perhaps you are a wuss. Just saying.