Pope Benedict XVI's comments on Islam.... What is your opinion? Is he right in his saying?

Answer 1

Whether the Pope was right or not is not the issue in my mind.

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 2

You are obviously a Muslim so your opinion will differ from mine, but I will let you know what I think and why.

In Pope Benedict's speech on "Faith and Reason" he quoted the Byzantine Christian Emperor, Manuel II Palaiologos. Manuel II took notes during his dialogs in 1391 with the Persian Muderris at Ankara and his notebooks were preserved as the "Twenty-six Dialogs with a Persian" on the "truths of Christianity and Islam". Manuel II was not very amenable to Islam since his empire had been conquerored and he had to pay the jizyah (submission tax).

I do not know why the pontiff quoted Manuel II but I think that regardless of how controversial his remarks were he had an absolute right to say anything he wanted and perhaps saying what he did makes it much more understandable for non-Muslims to see the true nature of Islam.

The pontiff said, "Speaking about the issue of jihad, holy war, the emperor [Manuel II] said, '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.'"

I understand why Manuel II would say this because his empire had been conquerored and he had to pay jizyah. Evil and inhuman things had been done to the people in his empire. I would certainly feel the same way if I were conquerored by a horde of Muslims.

The pope added in his own words, "Violence is incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul," added the pontiff in his own words.
http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html
http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=46474

I do feel that fighting, violence or combat done in the name of God is not what God desires for people to do. This is in direct opposition to the Qur'an which states that the true Muslim will not sit at home but will fight with his wealth and his life.

Muslims will never, ever consider that jihad and qitl fee sybil Allah are wrong so there is really no point in discussing it. But that is my opinion.

Answer 3

Read this article and judge for yourself

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Al Qaeda militants in Iraq vowed war on "worshippers of the cross" and protesters burned a papal effigy on Monday over Pope Benedict's comments on Islam, while Western churchmen and statesmen tried to calm passions.

The statement by an umbrella group led by Iraq's branch of al Qaeda came after the Pontiff said on Sunday he was deeply sorry Muslims had been offended by his use of a medieval quotation on Islam and holy war.

"We tell the worshipper of the cross (the Pope) that you and the West will be defeated, as is the case in Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya," said a Web statement by the Mujahideen Shura Council.

"We shall break the cross and spill the wine ... God will (help) Muslims to conquer Rome ... (May) God enable us to slit their throats, and make their money and descendants the bounty of the mujahideen," said the statement, posted on Sunday on an Internet site often used by al Qaeda and other militant groups.

Answer 4

a million. That has been the area of the Catholic church for a lengthy time period. sex is for procreation, and to that end birth control - inclusive of condoms - are a sin. Male prostitutes frequently service homosexuals, so that they are already sinning. including a condom would not make it worse. 2. Islam, like Christianity, develop into spread by employing distinctive diverse techniques, inclusive of the sword. 3. Christians are periodically persecuted contained in the middle East, and Iraq in certain has been having complications. i imagine he's over-exaggerating how a lot is going on, in spite of the undeniable fact that it truthfully is going on. i love you word that the pope's comments were "clumsy." i do not imagine he's dumb, yet there is quite some complications which includes his statements.

Answer 5

The Pope has no reason to apologize, he quoted a 14th century emperor and it was taken out of context. I know of no other religion in recent history that has been as militant, radical, and terroristic as the Islamic radicals. Almost all terrorist acts have been in the name of Islam, all beheadings, suicide bombing, and torture has been in the name of Islam. The rest of the world should demand an apology from the Islamic clerics, and a pledge for them to stop the senseless violence done by these so called true believers.

The following was provided by another member in response to a similar question, it seems to reinforce the propensity toward violence.

Ishaq:544 “Muhammad commanded the people to prepare for the foray [raid, incursion, sortie, attack, or assault]. The Messenger informed his troops that he was going to Mecca. He ordered them to prepare themselves and ready their equipment quickly. He said, ‘O Allah, keep spies and news from the Quraysh until we take them by surprise in their land.'” Fundamental Islamic organizations like Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, and al-Qaeda offer the same prayer today.

Ishaq:544 “Hassan incited the men, reciting: ‘This is the time for war. Don't feel safe from us. Our swords will open the door to death.'” And so it would be forevermore.

Qur'an 9.5 “When the sacred forbidden months for fighting are past, fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, beleaguer them, and lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.”

Answer 6

i think he was right to say that violence is bad but as far as linking Islam to evil or violent religion is wrong, even if he was just quoting. The previous Pope, Pope john Paul never made comments against other religions. THis Pope just saw the moment was right, where everyone thinks Islam is evil, and inturn by making this comment, would boost his straight line popularity, as compared to the respected John Paul.

Answer 7

1. First we must check the Koran if it really advocates violence. See below. There seems to be some verses that advocate it. Maybe a Muslim brother can clarify. We cannot allow terrorists to cite the Koran and say that killing is justified.

2. Violence, hurting and killing another human being is morally wrong, whether one has religion or not, unless it is in self defence (ie another party attempts to kill and you need to protect yourself)

3. Jesus taught that if someone slaps you one one cheek, let him slap the other as well. Jesus taught non-violence in ALL situations. Christians in history did wrong by not obeying his teachings.

From the Koran:

"Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure," (Surah 61:4).

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits...191And slay them wherever ye catch them. and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution is worse than slaughter; But fight them not at the sacred Mosque unless they (first) fight you there; But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. 192 But if they cease, Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. 193And fight them on until there is no more persecution. And the religion becomes Allah's. But if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (The Qur'an, Surah 2:190-193).

"O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place; but Him ye would not harm in the least. For Allah hath power over all things," (Surah 9:38-39).
See also Surah 4:74-76; 61:10-12.

Answer 8

There is a huge difference in what the Pope actually quoted, and what the media say he said. Quoting someone is NOT the same as saying it yourself. Any idiot can see that. Too bad the media can't.

It's all right here:

POPE = HITLER? ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF MUSLIM OVERKILL

MUSLIMS UNHAPPY WITH POPE’S ADDRESS

http://www.catholicleague.com

Answer 9

Now the pope says he is upset, should he apologize for his remarks on Islam?
Yes 56% 54665 votes
No 44% 42330 votes
Total: 96995 votes

http://edition.cnn.com/POLLSERVER/results/27419.exclude.html

Answer 10

He said it was just a quote from a past Emperor's words and it did not come from him. He may have no malice about it but expressed in a volatile situations will really lead the other ears to listen to what was expressed and not on how the words should be delivered.