do you believe pope made a mistake by expressing his opinion on islam? is expressing opinion bad?

Question

why do muslim over reacting and reacting in violent ways... is that what really islam is...

Answer 1

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 2

My thoughts are that the reactions of the Muslim community ironically support the statements the pope made (the previous pope made negative comments about buddhism and no one worried about violence from irate buddhists). On the other hand, the pope is, again ironically, engaging in the same dynamics that fundamentalist Muslims engage in: demonizing others. He's just another high-level religious leader that promotes partisanship, really the same as any islamic leader except in matter of degree. He knew what he was doing and so he should ultimately apologize.

Answer 3

Ever person has the right to express their belief and to be offended by other's beliefs when they are false religions. Each group has this right. Speaking the truth is viewed as a duty, being offended when you think that "truth" is not right is a duty.

What way would you expect the radical Muslim community to react to the idea that violence is not an acceptable method of action? If the radical Muslim practices their belief, we will all be dead. This is THEIR truth.

Answer 4

I do not think the Pope made a mistake. I think the public over-reacted and he will just have to do some damage control, but he should not back down.

Answer 5

The one good thing about the Pope expressing his "holy opinion", is exposing him for the bigot that he is. It's good to know where people stand. But your question was if I believe that the Pope made a mistake by expressing his opinion on Islam. Yes, I think he did because he is supposed to promote peace, being a Christian, and his words enflamed hatred and caused discontent and anger. That was irresponsible of him. It's okay for him to hate terrorism, but not terrorists...he's the POPE! But he is condemning a whole religion to scorn for things of the past that his religion is also guilty of. Yes...he was WRONG!

Answer 6

What? Can an opinion be a mistake? An opinion can be right or wrong depending on who will and will not accept that opinion. Okay! I am catholic and I am proud to be one. If an opinion of a free man will have to cost him his reputation and worst his death then what are we still here for? I am asking because should the pope's life be in danger because of an opinion? The pope's message was for dialogue and a lot of people know that, only there are those who want to twist the exact message and make it as an excuse to condemn Catholics and maybe make it a reason to hurt and even kill them.

With a comment like that, interpretation can vary depending on who is interpreting and the level of stupidity of the interpreter. Just look at what's happening, churches have been bomb and those who are doing these noise and disturbance are those who would call themself as moderate muslims. If moderate muslims cannot tolerate a comment like that may it be good or bad, what can we expect from terrorists and radicals. These moderate's reaction are actually trying to encourage radicals to be more restless. Is that a proper attitude of people of the faith?

I have a friend who told me that he overheard on conversation in a small crowd who talked about the recent incident and he told me that somebody was trying to say something like "why? maybe they want to see catholic suicide bombers. If they can sow chaos or kill because of a comment then what are we? maybe we are really dogs or cows or apes that they think we are. Are we just going to stand and be victims all the time?

What? a comment, to create chaos and disorder and pain and suffering and bombs and death of a pope. What else do we have to suffer. Me, if this will not end and persecution will go on, I am more than willing to fight and defend myself, my family and fellow catholics. I know protestants are not with us and even if I am 80 years old and can barerly walk, I'll pray to God almighty to give me one day, just one day of strength to fight these religious persecutors and I'll die a happy man. I have forgiven my transgressors and I always forgive my transgressors because that is required of me as christian even if I hate a person to the guts. But patience have limits and we are humans who have limits.

Answer 7

It seems that Muslim utterly misinterpret what the pope is saying, he only quote the statement from an emperor during 14 century about Muhammad and not from his point of view. And Muslim use that as an excuse to cause trouble all around the world.

Answer 8

It was a very huge mistake, especially in the current state of the world. Don't we have enough troubles? Why would he quote a 14th century Christian writer like that except to stir up trouble? It is frightening.

It is also a very untrue statement and the Pope should have known this as well. I am a Christian, but I did intensive research on Islam from 1988 to 2000 in the framework of my Ph.D. dissertation and have known quiet a few "real" Muslims. The current political "fundamentalist" Islam with which we are being "plagued" has little to do with historical Islam or what is in the Koran. It is a political ideology based on ignorance of Islam. Jihad or Holy War is waged against oneself to improve one's character and behavior or against pagans - it is about trying to "save" people as Christians would say and not to destroy them. Mohammed was trying to get rid of paganism not Christianity or Judaism which he (accurately) considered fellow Abrahamic and monotheistic religions. If Jesus is criticized your average Muslim will be much more upset than your average Christian. While they do not consider Jesus the "son of God" they consider him a great prophet. And, especially for his time and place Mohammed was progressive in his treatment of women. The current abuse of women and scarves have more in common with the Arabian paganism he was fighting than with Islam. It is actually the Bible which says women should cover their heads not the Koran. Veiling is a pagan attempt to protect against "the evil eye".

What's the most tragic about the Pope's recent statement and the supposed current "convert or die" Islamic fundamentalist perspective is that historically Islam was the most tolerant. They wanted people to be monotheist. They were harsh with pagans but pretty tolerant of Judaism and Christianity. They taxed these two more heavily but they didn't convert by the sword as much as Christianity did. In fact, some Protestant Anabaptists hoped the Muslim Turks would invade the Austrian (Catholic) Holy Roman Empire because they felt they would fare better under Muslim than Catholic rule. Not only did Christians chase and burn pagans and the Catholics went after the Protestants (e.g. Holy Roman Empire and elsewhere) and vice versa, the Protestants even had inquisitions against other Protestants (e.g. Switzerland and border areas of Germany such as Constance). And, obviously there were the inquisitions against and forced conversions of Jews, as well. Catholics historically as well as recently have persecuted other Catholics! This is why we have separation of Church and State in the US - many of our ancestors fled these persecutions. When you have a state religion anyone who thinks differently is in trouble!

But you have to consider who the current Pope is. He's a well known right wing extremist and I was extremely worried when he became Pope. We had hoped that once he became Pope he would be more tolerant. Of course, he could actually believe the comments he read if Catholic schools teach this. But, I seriously doubt it. Most of those guys are pretty well educated. Unfortunately, he has just become a really good example of the problem with the (very historically recent idea of) papal infallibility. The Pope is supposed to be infallible but he just proved that wrong! Too bad Popes can't be impeached.

Edit PS: The more I think of it the more I think that this is one place where perhaps the media should have thought about what they were doing and passed over or censored the story! Not that many people speak German and I doubt that media was there from the Muslim world. Yes, the Pope made an big error but the media is also guilty for the worsening of international relations coming out of this! After all the Pope isn't Christianity but people in the streets of the Muslim world aren't necessarily going to know these technical details.
__________________
Regarding comments below: The Pope read that the only things that Mohammed added to Christianity and Judaism were evil things like violence. You would have to look far and wide to find anything as violent as the Jewish/Christian Old Testament. It looks something like "Kill Bill" in many parts. And the New Testament has wording as violent as the Koran chapter listed below. Hence, Mohammed did not add violence where it was lacking, but existed in a violent society. Muslims were historically less violent and that's a fact! Yes, they were violent at times but less than Christians. Further, most quotes listed below are Hadith or sayings/commentary about things Muhammed supposedly said or did and may or may not be recognized by various groups. Additionally regarding the right-winger falsely using Che's progressive image - never have Muslim clerics or others made statements so false about Christianity. It is for the historical falseness that the apology is owed. And, notice the Pope has yet to apologize - he's just basically said "sorry you were offended!" Additionally in many traditional cultures swords and wars are metaphors. The sword is for cutting away illusion or dishonesty, for instance. Jihad is supposed to be a metaphor for salvation. God help us that the Cardinals placed such an extreme right winger at the head of the R. Catholic Church - something I said the second it happened. I knew it was bad for the Catholics but never imagined the international problems he would worsen! If I as an educated Christian am so appalled you see why all Muslims would be.

Answer 9

Perhaps he could have cushioned his dislike a little better but he does have a right to have and assert his opinion just like everyone else. And, unfortunately, the Muslim radicals are proving him right. It is unfortunate to the Muslims who do not believe in conversion by the sword that they have to get lumped in with the rest but such is the burden you must deal with when you choose any religion. All religions have fallen short of perfection and have much to answer for to God. Peace be to everyone, whatever your faith.

Answer 10

Yes, the pope made a mistake. And if you've watched the news today, he's apologized.

Why are Muslims over reacting? Wouldn't YOU overreact if someone called your beliefs EVIL?

Muslims are not evil. Extremist Muslims are evil. Big difference.

That's like me calling all Catholics eveil because a bunch of their priests like to molest little boys. Actually, hundreds of children. Should I say Catholics are evil? No, there's just a small group of extremist unstable whackjobs within them. Just like ANY religion.