Bin Laden Accuses the Pope

Reuters reports on Osama Bin Laden's newest release:

Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment on Wednesday over cartoons of Islam's Prophet Mohammad.

In an audio recording posted on the Internet coinciding with the birthday of Islam's founder, bin Laden said the drawings, considered offensive by Muslims, were part of a "crusade" in which Pope Benedict was involved.

"Your publications of these drawings -- part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role -- is a confirmation from you that the war continues," said the Saudi-born militant leader in a message addressed to "those who are wise at the European Union".

You are "testing Muslims ... the answer will be what you shall see and not what you hear. May our mothers lose us to death if we did not rise in defence of the messenger of God..."

This is a classic instance of the accusatory gesture, the etymologically and anthropologically satanic action (Gr. ha satan - the accuser) that epitomizes the "primitive Sacred," for you aficionados of René Girard's mimetic theory. Bin Laden has embedded the accusation in his statement and, thus, targeted his potential victim: the victim with the very highest prestige for the Western world (whether he is acknowledged as such by the West or not).

The Holy Father has, of course, realized this probability all along. But what is of import is the fact that Bin Laden sees the time is ripe for aiming his accusing finger in Benedict's direction.

Discussion regarding Islam as a religion of peace is moot. We who hold to the banner of magisterial truth know that any action can and may be justified by the primitive Sacred cloaked in the Scimitar's sharia. The only question is, will there be sufficient chivalry, valor, and legitimate defense when the time comes.