Would you like to read the Pope's words in context?

Question

Here is the complete speech:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2006/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20060912_university-regensburg_en.html

Answer 1

Thanks for posting that link! As always, some people have to twist words and meanings out of context.

For Christians:
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Christianity ,Matthew 7:1-2 King James Version


For Muslims:
To God belongeth the Mystery of the heavens and the earth, and the decision of the hour of judgment, as the twinkling of an eye, or even quicker, for God hath power over all things.
Islam, The Holy Qur'an Sura XVI v 77

Answer 2

Thank you.
After having read the text and without going into the content of his dissertation, I'm bewildered why the Pope would have used the quote by the Byzantine Emperor. His argument seems to really be a call for a hierarchy of ideas in the multicultural west with Christianised Hellenistic ideas at the top of the hierarchical pyramid. His point could easily have been made without the quote that says that the only new ideas that Mohammed brought were things that were "evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." He does not anywhere explain why he chose this quotation. It is not necessary to his argument. If it had simply been edited out, his argument would not have suffered. On the contrary, without that quote we might now be discussing the content and the subject of his discourse rather than the wisdom of using an unfortunate quote. Essentially, it is a very unskilful display of erudition. As a public figure, he should have known that his statement would be scrutinised, and as Pope he should have used his reason to be diplomatic enough to temper his arguments with wisdom and tolerance. This would have been a much better display of his central thesis concerning the necessity of the primacy of Christianised Hellenistic ideals in a multicultural society.

Answer 3

Bla Bla Bla, the Pope should be villified for being the most BORING speaker in history. I'm going to start playing a tape of his speech every night before bed. Sleep in seconds! Thanks Popie pants!

Muslims of the World, settle down! Stop overreacting to everything! You're going to give yourselves skin failure!

Answer 4

Hey, Benny from the Block is entitled to his opinion. Jesus is entitled to his opinion too: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

Does he have no shame? Is the Vatican absolutely cluesless about the number of lives it has destroyed in the name of God? Even a generation ago, they destroyed Aboriginal family life with their residential schools.

I am a Christian, but when our so-called spiritual leaders say crap like this, I want to hide in a corner.

Answer 5

Hooray for the Pope...recognizing and not being afraid to speak the truth about the violence Muhammed really stood for.

Answer 6

And so..? He made an insult and we will never forget..he made a mistake for going down to that level.

Answer 7

Youre taking it out of context is fundie for you dont think as i do so you must be wrong.

Answer 8

Thank you - after reading that I am more mystified why Muslims are upset.

Answer 9

If I still disagree with it will you still re-regurgitate the "you are taking it out of context" cr@p? The fact is it was a premeditated provocation

Answer 10

Yes.