The Pope...O my goodness what is he thinking??

Question

The Catholic Church does not have nearly enough credibility in the 'not hating other religions' department to start throwing stuff like this anti Islam thing today about.
I know he was quoting from someone else, but if he didn't mean it then why say it? and if he did mean it then why hide begind saying its only a quote. As a former member of the Hitler Youth he is on REALLY dodgy ground.
Opinions?

For everyone dissing me as anti catholic, I was born one and am therefore entitled to be as anti as I want.
The point I am trying to make, for those struggling, is that people in glass house should not throw stones.
He is entitled to his opinion, however the Vatican are denying this is his opinon merely a quote. Well why say it and upset millions of moderate, tolerant Mulsims and make Catholics look like a bunch of reactionery hate merchants?
I am not relgious, it causes war and pain. If I ever needed more reassurance my stance is right then this incident does it.
Peace everyone.

Thanks to everyone who called me ignorant. It made it worthwhile reading your answers and gave me a good laugh.
For those who womble on about how great the Catholic Church is, where was it when millions of people were benig wiped out by Nazi scum? Not a word. In fact as an ex Catholic myself I seem to recall a time we were encouraged to hold individual Jews repsonsible for the death of Jesus.

Answer 1

Well his comments have gone down like a lead balloon. If you have the responsibility of representing a faith that comprises of approx 1,098,366,000 people its not a good idea to go around bad mouthing other religions especialy in our current tense political climate. Saying 'I quote' in front of a set of offensive comments does not justify it.

Answer 2

Don’t you see the irony in Muslims being able to desecrate a Christian Temple in Jerusalem by spreading feces on images of Christ? But a Christian leader (the Pope) can’t remind people of what 14th century Byzantine emperor Manuel Paleolous II said about the profit Mohammad several hundred years ago. It wasn’t even the Popes own words or thought. He was repeating what Paleolous II supposedly said. . What’s with the hypersensitivity anyway?

The Muslims can dance in the streets; shout and yell; raise their fists all they want to but I do not believe the Pope owes Muslims an apology for anything.

Some have contended the terrorists are a form of radical Islam and a small minority of the faith. They say the large majority of Muslims are a peaceful people. I am beginning to wonder about these claims when I see the reported millions in the streets protesting what the Pope repeated.

Two faced or what? Is Islam a peaceful religion or a violence based religion? By what I am seeing and hearing, I would have to conclude the latter.

Answer 3

That is a pretty judgement statement you make that this Pope's ideas must be always tainted by his affiliation as a child to the Hitler youth - which almost all German children were. His job for many years was to state the Catholic Church's position on things and does it really suprise you that he has criticism of Muhammad? Why can't he make statements to critique Islam and its founder. You are allowed to critize Catholics without any issue about it, but Muslims will call for your death over it. Look what happened to the poor Danes not so long ago for the silly cartoons. Appeasing Islamic ideas that lean towards fascism is more like the 1930's than the Pope articulating the Church's views on Islam. We don't need another Hitler like this guy in Iran is trying to make himself into being.

Answer 4

No religion can ever, possibly "like" another religion. It's impossible because:
a: It's competition and
b: My religion is right, provable and the "only way", and yours is wrong, you're condemned to hell fire, and it's provably false (simply because it doesn't agree with mine).

however, perhaps it's time for the moslems to realise that their warlike approach to propagating their beliefs belong to an earlier time. they must learn to accept that others don't believe in it, have read the koran and can see gaping holes in its logic.
That's not suggesting that any other religion is any better. The unpleasant truth (for believers) is that nonoe of it stands up to any rigorous examination. There's no evidence whatsoever for any of it.
let's grow up and act rationally. If the simple minded require "crutches" to help them through life, then so be it. So long as they keep it to themselves, no harm is done and everybody else can get on with their lives.

BtW, the references to the Hitler Youth are incorrect and misleading - fit only to impress the unintelligent. It was a legal requirement for EVERY boy to join (or be beaten up or killed - not unlike moslem conversions) so, he had no choice. that doesn't make him a nazi, neither does the fact that he is German.
So. Try sticking to the point.

Answer 5

i agree with you 100%!!!

this Nazi bastard has NO right to criticize Islam, he should be expelled from the Vatican. he doesnt fit to be a religious leader.

in so many centuries NO Pope has ever criticized Islam the way this dumbass did.

and looks like he forgot his own history!!! how many deaths is the roman catholic chruch resposible for over the last 100 centuties?
MILLIONS.
people finally found a new victim to throw all the blame at.
it's pathetic.

Answer 6

Perhaps you should read up more about both Mohammed and also the pope before you form opinions.
An opinion is not an opinion if based on ignorance and not unlike creating a hole in water.
As for the Catholic Church not having enough credibility, according to my recollection, it has been the only church so far to not only try to openly resolve differences with other religions, but also the only one to openly condemn hate and violence. Others just ride on the coat tails as usual.

Answer 7

What should they do, crucify him for telling the truth, and really should one person be condemned for quoting the views of another????

I am not a fan of Christianity or indeed the position of the Pope, but if he goes on this way he is going to witness their sword first hand...

(NOTE: Those peaceful Islamics have threatened the Pope, by advising him not to go to Turkey, if he knows whats good for him...)

Answer 8

Well I am not catholic but according to the yahoo news article... one of the things that seemed to have upset all the muslims was this bit:

"Benedict, who used the terms "jihad" and "holy war", repeatedly quoted Manuel's argument that spreading the faith through violence is unreasonable, adding: "Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul."

The head of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohamed Mahdi Akef, whose organisation is one of the oldest, largest and most influential in the Arab world, said the pope "aroused the anger of the whole Islamic world"


So the muslim brotherhood thinks that violence is ok as long as it is in the name of religion I presume.

Answer 9

If you really research Mohammad, you will see that his life was not a good one nor a peace loving one. However, in these times, we cannot afford to be throwing stones at anyone else or their religion. Toleration is the key. Not all Muslims who follow the qu'ran are violent people. And they say the Pope is infallible? Hmmm.

Answer 10

Hypocrite, What did you expect from the Catholic church. It's not like he hadn't enough time to plan this is it? It's Just like religious people to wriggle out of it and blame someone else for saying it!

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