John Allen did a Theology on Tap in NYC on Regensburg and the reaction…and is surprised that his audience doesn’t really have much hope for the Muslim end of things.

What surprised me as we began to talk about these concepts was the depth of skepticism I sensed, as well as the fairly palpable irritation with what are perceived as irrational and defensive patterns of behavior in the Islamic world.

One man, for example, repeatedly asked why it seems that Christians are always the ones expected to ask forgiveness, while to date no one has suggested that Islamic leaders ought to make a public apology for the firebombing of Christian churches, or the murder of an Italian nun in Somalia. A young woman wanted to know if it’s realistic to expect Islam to be open to the pope’s call for reason, given that Mohammad himself is depicted in the Qur’an as a warrior, and given its harsh language about infidels and unbelievers. Another woman expressed incredulity that Islam is ready for the “conversion” to which the pope seems to want to invite it.

The questions all played to vigorous nodding of heads. How fair the perceptions are is not, for the moment, the point — they’re out there, and are shaping attitudes about what to do next. Of course, people would probably have asked the same things prior to Regensburg, but the experience of the last month obviously deepened the passion with which people asked them.

Being surprised at this is…surprising, to me. (Although John writes to correct my impression that he was generally surprised. He was surprised at the depth. There was more palpable anger, as opposed to mere weary ennui, than I had expected  – so I stand corrected on that point!)

"They invented Algebra" (© Relapsed Catholic) is just not cutting it anymore for folks who see, via the news, images of constant Muslim hypersensitivity alongside consistent intolerance and oppression of religious minorities in Muslim countries…among other things.