How About Just "Al" For Short

The Dutch have had their share of run-ins with radical Islam (such as the film director Theo Van Gogh who was murdered by radicals because of his films), but one Dutch bishop thinks he can solve the world's problems by adopting the language of the radicals:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- A Dutch Catholic bishop who once said the hungry were entitled to steal bread and advocated condom use to prevent AIDS has made headlines again, this time by saying God should be called Allah.

"Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will call God Allah?" Bishop Tiny Muskens said in an interview broadcast this week. "God doesn't care what we call him."

I'm not sure God really cares what you call him, but he might be a bit concerned why you'd call him something inconsistent with your particular faith.

And then there's this from not-so-jolly old England:

"Hospital staff in the Lothians have been told not to eat at their desks to avoid offending Muslim colleagues during Ramadan. NHS Lothian has advised doctors and other health workers not to have working lunches during the 30-day fast, which begins next month. The health service's Equality and Diversity Officer sent an e-mail to all senior managers, giving guidance on religious tolerance."

Did you ever notice that it's always a one way street in the business of non-offending others? I don't think I've ever heard of Muslims being asked to make or agreeing to special accomodations for Christians, Jews, or other infidels.