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The outcry from Muslims across the world over Pope Benedict XVI's quoting of a text that criticized the prophet Mohammed has faded now, yet it is appropriate to reflect on this and similar reactions by the Muslim world to other comments deemed critical of their obviously sensitive religion in order to assess whether the West's response to the growing profile of Islam is improving the world or making it worse.

Sadly, the fearfully apologetic response from the West to the Pope's comments was predictable and detrimental to the principle they are attempting to uphold peace and democracy.

We've seen it all before and we'll see it again: a cartoon, a comment, a book or any slight remark spoken in a free society that is in any way seen as derogatory of the religion of Islam is pounced upon by Muslims the world over as another perceived example of the West's modern day crusade against their religion and their prophet.

When is the West going to wake up and understand that no amount of groveling to Muslim groups, apologies, clarifications or comforting words of support will make any difference (just look at the non-acceptance of the Pope's apology within the Islamic world)?

In fact Muslims thrive on extremist and violent overreaction because to them the holy war is in full swing. It's time that the world started to speak about Islam factually and realized that the era of hiding under the cloak of political correctness has to end.

Those who understand world religions know that Islam, like Christianity, is made up of many different factions (the fighting between different Islamic groups in Iraq is an example). Also like Christianity there are those Muslims who are actively committed to their religion and those who are Muslim by name only. Yet it is vital to remember that even those who we call moderate and non-practicing still have a basic faith belief in the principles of Islam, or they wouldn't call themselves Muslim.

Therefore while for example, most Muslims in America are not killing people and burning effigies of the Pope and rallying in the streets, they still believe in and support those who are doing this in other countries across the world.

It is a fallacy to suggest that moderate Muslims believe anything else, because they have been brought up and educated in the ways of Islam, which unashamedly promotes violent holy war (this has to be said, whether it is politically correct or not).

Every Muslim wants to go to Paradise (their version of heaven), and they know that

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