The Pope's remarks September 20 in Regensburg, Germany were in the context of a theological address and appeal for dialogue between Christians and Muslims about the nature of faith and whether the application of it can ever lead to violence.

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Israel is a nation-state with an elected government. As such, its policies can be criticized – and often are --by Israelis and outsiders without such criticism being labeled anti-Semitic.

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It is not for me to categorize everyone who subscribes to a particular religion as violent, because many Muslims are not. However, it is a historical fact that Islam has advanced mostly by imposition, force, war and violence, including forced conversions.

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Step number one is to know why we have wars. James addresses that question when he says: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight..." (James 4:1-2)

There are wars because our fallen nature makes us dissatisfied with our status. We want other people's land, or valuables. Some wish to deprive others of their freedom in the name of their God. Jesus said there would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt 24:6) which will not end until He returns to restore humanity to its original and perfect nature.

I keep my faith because it is not in fallen humanity, but in God, who gives a different kind of peace than the world can offer so that regardless of wars, or a temporary cessation of hostilities on Earth, I have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It is the only "peace treaty" that matters.

I am not an Islamic scholar, but I would take a page from the New Testament which says "by your fruits you shall know them." If freedom of speech is tolerated, even encouraged, in the Islamic world, we need to see more demonstrations of it.