Quote from article:
Benedict quoted from a book recounting a conversation between 14th century Byzantine Christian Emperor Manuel Paleologos II and a Persian scholar on the truths of Christianity and Islam.
"The emperor comes to speak about the issue of jihad, holy war," the pope said. "He said, I quote, 'Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.'"
Benedict did not explicitly agree with the statement nor repudiate it.
The truth is I only studied the historical aspects of the coming of Mohammed and I don't find anything wrong with what the pope or the emperor said. Please tell me otherwise.
2006-09-15 06:32:42 · 21 answers · asked by The One Truth 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
No, The Pope is entitled to his opinion, as is everyone else. But I do think it is a little ironic that the Muslims would choose to be offended by these statements, when they say far worse about Christians and Jews.
2006-09-15 06:36:38 · answer #1 · answered by Edward 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No his comments were not wrong. He nor we Christians should not feel badly because of Muslims hyper sensitivity.
The Muslims don't want we Christians to 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.
2006-09-16 00:05:02 · answer #2 · answered by scubadiver50704 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you studied the history of religion, you should know that there were more bloodshed in the name of religion that any other reasons. Almost all religion declare their god is the only true god. While we as layman may have a spirited debate here on the forum about different religions, I believe it is not appropriate for the head of a religion to say something that can be misunderstood and inflame the current already sensitive Christian/Muslim relationship. While we cringe when we hear the word jihad, we often forget what "crusade" meant to the Muslims. From what I know about the Pope, I doubt he meant any harm and certainly he is a man of peace. None the less, the comment was careless.
2006-09-15 13:56:18 · answer #3 · answered by robert S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not able to tell you otherwise. As with anything, a few will pervert it for their own aims. This is what has/is happening to Islam. It is up to the Muslim people to correct this. To throw out/rid the world of the extremists that would have us forget that we are ALL God's children. Any other force doing so, even the US, will be seen as interlopers. Just like brothers and sisters in a family can squabble, but nobody else best say anything against one of them. So, is Islam wants the rest of the world to see it as a religion of peace, they need to clean house. Christianity DID go through a similar stage, but WE GOT OVER IT! Anyone if free to believe as they will, as long as they don't tell me they are going to kill me if I don't believe as they do. There have been many responses on this site touting that Muslims are a peaceful people. And most of them probably are. I know the ones I am personally acquainted with are. But Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Native American, etc. Cannot and will not stand by and continue to allow a few nut cases to threaten us. If Muslims want peace, let them show it. Eliminate the nut cases. After all, they are killing other Muslims too.
2006-09-15 13:47:45 · answer #4 · answered by Spirit Walker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pope did not express any opinion at all. Therefore, there should not have been any to take offense from. He merely told a story....and an accounted true story at that.
The problem is that I don't think it was wise to chose that story for the purpose of expressing one's disfavor for violence. Why could he just not say..."I do not believe in using violence to spread faith". That would have been clear and completely acceptable without singling out any onion skinned religious organization most likely to retaliate with suicide bombers.
Even us Christians have a share in the use of violence to spread faith.....back in the times of the Spanish Conquistadores....it was the other way around though.....they'd go to some far away land...use religion to gain favor and then attack and conquer....so in a way.....we too have some blood in our hands....
2006-09-15 14:39:29 · answer #5 · answered by The Count of Monte Cristo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Pope and the Imam of the Grand mosque may not agree but the fact is that they do not have a Power of Attorney from God to speak on His behalf.
God speaks to us to each individual personally and privately in a moment of quite reflection or meditation. Everyone who claims to speak on His behalf is a crook or a charlatan.
Religious strife arises when self appointed/proclaimed religious leaders make careless statements to increase their sphere of influence.
We must hope now that all good Muslims protest silently and peacefully to proove that theirs has always been a peaceful and tolerant religion.
2006-09-17 04:24:19 · answer #6 · answered by Ralph R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem with Islam, Christianity and most other major religions isn't historical, it's philosophical in that each of them claim to know the One True God. If there is a Deity responsible for the creation of the universe, then all our puny, pea-brained thoughts and ideas throughout time couldn't begin to comprehend his left big toe-nail. Let's all get together and admit that none of us know God any better than a cold virus knows Ted Koppel.
2006-09-15 13:55:27 · answer #7 · answered by socrates 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does it matter how true it may be? Catholicism and Islam are competing franchises for the same hearts and gold. Like Coke and Pepsi.
It is important to note that for over a thousand years the message of Islam has been much more enticing than christinanity, Islam is the worlds dominant religion.
2006-09-15 13:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by Dane 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The main thing the pope was saying is that to preach spreading any word of faith by the sword (violence) is wrong. I have to say I agree with that. God, the creator of us all, is a loving god who does not condone killing people just because they don't believe as you do. Vengeance is the Lord's, not man's.
2006-09-15 14:32:14 · answer #9 · answered by catarina 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lala Mustafa Pasha:: You are just so cute with your negative IQ and buckteeth! If Islam is truly after the goals you profess then the only way humanity will ever prosper is to slaughter the muslims in horrible ways since to be muslim would disqualify someone from being human
Because of what you said I will now do everything in my power and the power of my future family to ensure that muslims are walled up forever in the middle east and denied access to any other part of the world since they are spirtiually diseased and inferior
DEATH TO THE ENEMIES OF HUMANITY!!!!!!!!!!!
PS....God despises you and Mohammed
2006-09-15 14:23:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋