What We're dealing with

This is normally Sim's deal, and I apologize in advance for the schtick-stealing and even more importantly for any damage done to the brand, but I can't not post about this. It would be absurd were it not so disturbing and scary.

First there was this: Muslim leaders are still having a major snit fit over the so-called Muhammad cartoons published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten earlier this month.

Then there was this: A leading Islamic cleric called for an "international day of anger" today over publication of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, and a Danish activist predicted that deadly violence could break out in Europe "at any minute".

As more European newspapers reprinted the cartoons, what started off as a row between Denmark's press and its Muslim population grew into a full-blown "clash of civilisations".

And then there was this. The pictures speak for themselves.

Finally, yesterday there was this: Thousands of Muslims rampaged Sunday in Beirut, setting fire to the Danish Embassy, burning Danish flags and lobbing stones at a Maronite Catholic church as violent protests over caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad spread from neighboring Syria.

Protesters also took to the streets by the thousands elsewhere in the Muslim world, a day after demonstrators in Syria charged security barriers outside the Danish and Norwegian embassies in Damascus and sent the buildings up in flames.

Those attacks earned widespread condemnation from European nations and the U.S., which accused the Syrian government of backing the protests.

The Danish foreign minister said: "enough is enough."

"Now it has become more than a case about the drawings: Now there are forces that wants a confrontation between our cultures," Moeller said. "It is in no one's interest, neither them or us."

Where and when does it stop? How does it stop?

As a Christian I am often angered and offended by comments and images that are demeaning of Christ, of other Christians and of faith. But who in their right mind advocates burning buildings in response?