Bin Laden Blasts Pope, New "Crusade"

DUBAI (Reuters) - Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden threatened the European Union with grave punishment on Wednesday over cartoons of Islam's Prophet Mohammad.

In an audio recording posted on the Internet coinciding with the birthday of Islam's founder, bin Laden said the drawings, considered offensive by Muslims, were part of a "new crusade" in which Pope Benedict was involved.

"Your publications of these drawings -- part of a new crusade in which the Pope of the Vatican had a significant role -- is a confirmation from you that the war continues," said the Saudi-born militant leader, addressing "those who are wise at the European Union".

You are "testing Muslims ... the answer will be what you shall see and not what you hear. May our mothers lose us to death if we did not rise in defense of the messenger of God..."

New Crusade? I admit that I've tried to limit the amount of time going over the news during this Lenten season, but I had no idea that a new Crusade was being called for by the Holy Father.

It makes me wonder, does Islamofacism cause such mental disease as manifested by Bin Laden or does this apparent mental problem of religious fanatics/terrosists like Bin Laden make them susceptible to Islamofacism? Religion of peace - sure.