"It Means Peace"

The Popes recent lecture at the University of Regensburg garnered quite a bit of attention when he mentioned that Islam had a history of violence. Many Muslims worldwide promptly called for an apology "or else". I suppose the rifles they were brandishing were solely for the purpose of shooting into the air in celebration. Now I'm aware that type of behaviour didn't come from right across the board, nor was it universally condoned in the Islamic world. But I suspect the percentage of those who 'protested' (read threatened) was higher than I'd like to guess. It's not quite polite in our politically correct world to speak ill of any religion, but my question is: Is it polite to ignore what adherents of a faith have been saying for hundreds of years? True, there are peaceful bits in the Koran (indeed, progressive Muslims are quick to point out, Islam means peace) and distinctly not peaceful bits. If you study the history however (a subject which all media personnel would to well to take) you'll quickly realise that the passive 'make-friends-with-your-enemies' sections were written when Mohammed was in a strategically weak position and on the back foot, as it were. The 'put-the-infidels-to-the-sword' passages were set down when he ruled Mecca with a powerful army behind him. Reading the whole thing in context (as any believer should do) a message emerges that has been faithfully followed down the centuries: If your enemy is strong, give him a fish - if he is weak give him a scorpion. And I'm afraid 'enemy' means us. This sounds a bit harsh, but shouldn't we take them at their word on their own ground? There are two realms declares the Koran, one of War, the other of Peace. The realm of Peace is where Islam reigns. The realm of War is where Islam does not yet dominate. And considering Big M's track record, I don't think it means an inner journey to greater sanctity and 'peace'.